Press release

Montréal, May 25, 2018 – On May 18, Laval resident Daniel Despaties pocketed $508,667 while playing Mega Jackpots^® Cleopatra^™ on Loto-Québec’s online gaming website, lotoquebec.com.

Summary

• Game: Mega Jackpots^® Cleopatra^™
• Prize won: $508,667
• Date of win: May 18, 2018
• Winner’s place of residence: Laval
• Date and claim centre: May 25, 2018 at the Loto-Québec’s head office in Montréal

Highlights

• That’s when Mr. Despaties picked up the phone to hear a Loto-Québec representative that he realized he had won the staggering amount of $508,667 by playing Mega Jackpots^® Cleopatra^™ online!

• Mr. Despaties waited until the following evening, which happened to be their 39^th wedding anniversary dinner, to share the news with his spouse.

• He then made her wait even longer, by notably having her guess the amount he had won. She began by asking: “How much? $5,000? $10,000? $50,000?” And each time, Mr. Despaties would answer in the same way: “More...”, to finally end up telling her: “We won half a million dollars!”

• He played a similar trick on his children, leading them to believe that he had only won a small amount. He waited until they were in the Loto-Québec Winner’s Lounge, at the time of claiming the prize, before giving them the good news.

• With his winnings, Mr. Despaties wants to spoil his children, visit Croatia and take a cruise to Russia.

   

  Lottery prize payments in gaming halls and casinos

  Lottery winners may claim their prizes at the Trois-Rivières and Québec City gaming halls, Loto-Québec’s Montréal and Québec City offices, or at the Casino de Montréal, Casino du Lac-Leamy, Casino de Charlevoix or Casino de Mont-Tremblant. All details are on the You’ve won? page of the Lotteries site.

   

  About Loto-Québec

  Loto-Québec’s mission is to responsibly and efficiently manage games of chance in a controlled and measured fashion, in the interest of all Quebecers. Entertainment is at the heart of its activities. Between January 1 and May 23, 2018, Loto-Québec paid out 52 prizes worth $1 million or more and created 34 millionaires. Gagnant à vie! and Grande Vie lotteries have provided 9 lucky winners with a lifetime annuity.