Press release

Montréal, October 11 — Dannie Lafrenière and Michael Allard, a couple from Abitibi-Témiscamingue, took home $1,000,000 in the September 27 Extra draw. It was an emotional moment for these two when they left Loto-Québec’s head office with their cheques.

In summary

• Lottery: Extra
• Prize: $1,000,000
• Category: Grand prize
• Draw date: September 27, 2019
• Winners’ place of residence: Abitibi-Témiscamingue
• Retailer: IGA (1450 Rue Royale, Malartic)
• The retailer will receive a $10,000 commission, equal to 1% of the prize.
• Claim centre: Loto-Québec head office in Montréal

Highlights

• The couple was on their way to a volunteer appreciation dinner when they decided to stop at the grocery store and check their ticket. Only Michael went into the store, while Dannie stayed in the car.

• At some point, Dannie overheard a woman coming out of the store say the name “Mike Allard.” Dannie began to worry a little, wondering what was going on.

• “You need to come inside quick!” the female shopper told Dannie, even though this woman was a stranger to Dannie and Mike.

• It suddenly hit Danny that something might be terribly wrong: “What if he’s had a heart attack!” 

• What she saw instead when she entered the store was her spouse, his eyes filled with tears. Everyone around was applauding. Which is when Michael told her—they’d won a million dollars!

• The couple, who are very active in the community and own a nursing home, say that they’ll use their winnings to treat their five children and grow their business, and that they’ll invest the rest.

A video of the winners is available on Loto-Québec’s YouTube channel (French only).

Michael et Dannie, gagnants d'un lot de 1 000 000 $ à l'Extra

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 8, 2019, Loto-Québec paid out 66 prizes of $1,000,000 or more and turned 62 people into millionaires. The Gagnant à vie and Grande Vie lotteries have provided 20 lucky winners with a lifetime annuity. Winners of large prizes are listed on the Winners page of the Lotteries site.