Press release

Montréal, October 9, 2018 – While rummaging through his coats closet, Montréal resident Gregorio De Santis found an old Lotto 6/49 ticket valid for the draw of December 6, 2017. When he checked the ticket, he thought he had won $1,750, but in reality, he won $1,750,000!

In short

• Lottery: Lotto 6/49
• Prize won: $1,750,000
• Category: Jackpot ($7,000,000 divided into four equal shares)
• Draw date: December 6, 2017
• Winner’s place of residence: Montréal
• Retailer: Provigo (6485 Rue Sherbrooke Ouest, Montréal)
• The retailer will receive a 1% prize of $17,500
•  Claim centre: Loto-Québec’s head office in Montréal

Highlights

• Mr. De Santis regularly plays the lottery with Lotto 6/49 and dabbles in sports betting with Mise-o-jeu. He has been playing since the 70s and even won a $4,000 prize in the early 2000s.
• On October 5, a full ten months after the lucky Lotto 6/49 draw of December 6, 2017, he came to Loto-Québec headquarters to collect his $1,750,000 cheque.
• When he first checked his ticket, he thought he saw $1,750 on the display. He said his heart stopped when he realized how much he had actually won!
• In his eyes, he has his sister to thank for his big win.
• Indeed, she is the one who got him to clean out his closet to give away some old clothes.
• That’s how he found the winning ticket in an inside coat pocket. “I never would have looked in that closet without her asking me!”
• The winner, still a bit rattled when he came in to Loto-Québec, says he will be planning his retirement and taking some time out to reflect on his good fortune. This big hockey fan will definitely be taking his nephew to see a few games!

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 October 9, 2018, Loto-Québec paid out 110 prizes worth $1 million or more and created 92 millionaires. Gagnant à vie!, Grande Vie and Liste de vie! lotteries have provided 18 lucky winners with a lifetime annuity. Ours big winners can be found on the Winners page of our Lotteries website.