Western Canada’s winning streak continues with massive lottery wins

While the massive LOTTO MAX jackpot that was announced last month has been claimed, there are more cash prizes to be had; one lucky Western Canada winner won over two hundred thousand dollars.

According to Play Now, the second prize in the Lotto 6/49 class draw worth $202,042.40, was nabbed by someone out West. Five out of six numbers matched. 

And while everyone in Alberta was wondering who the lucky winner of the January LOTTO MAX jackpot was, especially since the winning ticket was bought outside of a major urban centre, in the province, the Western Canada Lottery Corporation (WCLC) announced that it was a man from Beaverlodge who was the winner. 

A northern Alberta man was revealed as the winner of a whopping $70 million jackpot earlier this week. (Photo provided by Western Canada Lottery Corporation))

Brian Hoover felt a wide range of emotions after learning his LOTTO MAX ticket for the January 16 draw won $70 million.

"The win signifies so much more than money in the bank for Hoover; it represents the fulfillment of a dream he shared with his late wife and a poignant opportunity to honour her legacy," a news release from WCLC stated. 

For the Hoovers, winning the lottery was more than just a chance at financial freedom. It was a long-time inside joke and a shared aspiration that fueled many hopes and dreams. Hoover’s wife passed away before they could realize this dream together, but after winning the largest LOTTO MAX prize available in Canada, the brand-new winner said he’ll use this opportunity to commemorate his wife.

“This is bittersweet for me," Hoover shared at his prize claim interview. "We always talked about what we would do if we won the lottery. I'm determined to bring some of those ideas to life in her memory."

The Beaverlodge local said he is in the beginning stages of planning, but his hope is to provide for his community.

“We had three children, and my wife was heavily invested in their lives,” he explained. “She liked to take them to parks, any park. My first thought is to have a park named for her.”

The winner said he is also looking into sponsoring some sort of program for local schools and said that’s just the beginning.

“These are all such fresh thoughts,” he said. “I want to make sure I do good things. Using this money and investing in her memory is a way to share this win with her.”

Though Hoover’s focus is on honouring his wife, he is also thinking of his children and family.

“I want to help my family – I’m going to pay off a couple of mortgages and give some money to a few people,” he explained. “After that, I’m going to look at something for myself. I have a friend who lives in the Yukon who’s been asking me to visit. I’m thinking it would be nice to drive up in a classy motorhome,” he laughed.

He won his prize by matching all seven main draw numbers on the January 16 draw – 2, 9, 10, 14, 42, 43 and 44.

And closer to Airdrie, a few more millionaires were made in Calgary earlier this week. Three Calgary friends and former co-workers shared a massive $50 million LOTTO 6/49 prize on the December 9 draw.

Three Calgary friends have split a massive lottery prize that they won. (Photo provided by Western Canada Lottery Corporation (WCLC))

Carmen Austria, Gary Perkins and Catherine Wall agreed that winning the lottery is amazing, but winning with friends is the real prize.

“We’ve been friends for over 20 years and started buying tickets together 17 years ago,” said Perkins during the group’s prize claim interview. “Buying tickets was just a fun thing for us to do; winning together is what makes it so special.”

Not surprisingly, the long-time friends have similar ideas for each of their $16.6 million shares of the win.

“We’re going to share with our families,” said Austria. “I want my family to know they can relax and enjoy their time – I’m going to take care of them!”

“I haven’t been able to get too far past just sharing with family,” Perkins added. “It’s hard to wrap your head around this much money!”

When asked to describe how this win feels, the group responded: “Freedom, peace and joy.”

“[Winning] came with so many emotions,” explained Wall. “I don’t think anything prepares you for that much emotion. And now, I just feel happy and grateful – it’s amazing.”

Austria purchased the group’s winning ticket for $10 from Scenic Acres Husky, located at 116 Scenic Acres Blvd in Calgary. The winning selection for the December 9 Gold Ball draw was: 25957733-01. The group won an additional $2 on the night’s EXTRA draw.

Austria, Perkins and Wall will also go down in history as the first LOTTO 6/49 Gold Ball jackpot winners in Alberta, and in all the Prairies. 

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