Toronto, ON – Giuseppe Cecannecchia of Stoney Creek is celebrating after winning a $250,000 top prize with INSTANT CROSSWORD DELUXE (Game #3356).

Giuseppe, a retired cement finisher, has been playing the lottery with OLG on and off for over 20 years. “I play CROSSWORD to learn new words and improve my English. I appreciate the sense of calm it brings,” the 78-year-old shared while at the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto to collect his cheque. “I like to relax, maybe have a snack, and sit at the kitchen table at my usual spot, which my kids call ‘Joe’s Corner.’”

The father of three and grandfather of five was at home when he played his ticket, unaware at first that it was a big winner. “When my son asked if I won anything, I said no,” Giuseppe recalled. “Then my son checked the ticket himself, and I immediately noticed the shocked look on his face. I asked what was wrong and he said, ‘Dad, are you crazy? You won big!’ In that instant, my heart felt like it dropped! I was stunned, overwhelmed, and ecstatic.”

Later on, Giuseppe revealed the news to his wife. “She was over the moon. Sharing that moment with her made the win feel more real and meaningful,” he beamed.

So far, Giuseppe has kept the surprise from his other two children. “I’ve been waiting to tell them because we’re getting together tonight for New Year’s Eve. My plan is to casually show them the novelty cheque first — I know they’ll think it’s a prank. Then I’ll show them the real cheque. I can already imagine the shock on their faces. I can’t wait to see their reactions.”

With his windfall, Giuseppe is planning a summer vacation in Italy. “I can’t wait to visit the gorgeous places, savour good food, and make lasting memories.”

He also plans to share his winnings with his three children. “Being able to help them and see them happy means more than anything to me,” he said.

When the weather warms up, Giuseppe looks forward to hosting plenty of barbecues and celebrating life with his loved ones. “My plan is to enjoy the little things and spend quality time with those closest to me.”

“2025 has been a meaningful year for me, and this prize feels like the cherry on top!”

INSTANT CROSSWORD DELUXE is available for $10 a play and the top prize is $250,000. Odds of winning any prize are 1 in 3.46. Visit the INSTANT page on OLG.ca for more information on this and other great games.  

The winning ticket was purchased at Avondale on Highway 8 in Stoney Creek.

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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