TORONTO, ON – Piotr Wendel of Markham can realize his dreams after winning a $500,000 million MAXMILLIONS prize in the July 11, 2025 LOTTO MAX draw. His ticket was one of two that split the $1 million prize.

Piotr, who works in the automotive industry, has been an occasional lottery player with OLG for the past few years. He enjoys playing LOTTO MAX and LOTTO 6/49, using OLG’s Quick Pick feature to make his selections. “Once in a while, I like to pop into a convenience store and throw my hat into the ring,” he said with a grin. Now, the 52-year-old is delighted to share the story of his recent big win!

He checked his ticket on the OLG app one day, thinking he might have won a small prize or a Free Play. “That’s when I found out I’d won $500,000,” he recounted, while visiting the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto to claim his windfall. “After matching the winning numbers to my ticket, I started to believe it was real. I double- and triple-checked my ticket on the app before sending a picture to my wife. She asked, ‘Are you messing with me?’” he recalled with a chuckle.

With his newfound fortune, Piotr plans to invest in his family’s future, prepare for a comfortable retirement, and enjoy a well-deserved vacation. “There are lots of experiences I want to share with my family,” he smiled.

When asked what it’s like to win the lottery, Piotr said, “It’s a great feeling. It feels so random and surprising. You never expect it’s going to happen to you!”

LOTTO MAX players in Ontario have won over $9 billion since 2009, including 116 jackpot wins and 949 MAXMILLIONS prizes, right across the province. LOTTO MAX is $5 per play and draws take place on Tuesdays and Fridays. Click here for more information about LOTTO MAX.  

The winning ticket was purchased at Markham Fine Foods on Wootten Way North in Markham.

OLG supports safe play and wants to keep the fun in the game. That’s why OLG is proud to be a leader in promoting responsible gambling with our globally recognized PlaySmart program.

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Celebrating 50 years of wins and giving back! OLG is a crown agency that contributes to a better Ontario by delivering great entertainment experiences for our customers. Acting in a socially responsible way, OLG conducts and manages land-based gaming facilities; the sale of province-wide lottery games; Internet gaming; and the delivery of bingo and other electronic gaming products at Charitable Gaming Centres. OLG is also helping support the horse racing industry in Ontario. OLG has been giving back to Ontario since 1975, generating approximately $62 billion for the people and the Province to support key government priorities like health care; the treatment and prevention of problem gambling; and support for amateur athletes. Each year profits from OLG's operations also support host communities, Ontario First Nations, lottery retailers and local charities across the province.

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