Toronto, ON – Laurie M. of Scarborough can “find her possible” after winning a LOTTO 6/49 prize worth $1 million in the Gold Ball Draw on May 6, 2026.

Laurie, 62, has been playing the lottery with OLG twice a week for about 25 years. Now, she’s thrilled to be celebrating her first big win.

Laurie said she forgot her ticket was sitting in her bag for a few days. “I was walking by a store when I saw a LOTTO 6/49 ad and suddenly remembered I had a ticket to check,” she recalled while at the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto to collect her winnings. “As the store clerk was scanning my ticket, I said, ‘I think I won three Free Plays.’ The clerk looked at me and said, ‘Ma’am, you won more than just three Free Plays!’ That’s when she told me I had won $1 million. I immediately started shaking, and I think my heart nearly stopped!”

When Laurie first found out about her win, she was in shock and disbelief. “I began crying tears of pure happiness. Even during the ride home, I couldn’t process that I had just become a lottery winner. It was one of the most overwhelming, emotional, and unforgettable moments of my life. I still have goosebumps thinking back to that initial moment.”

Laurie shared the wonderful news with her sister and a few friends. “Most of them thought I was joking at first because the news was so unbelievable. I said, ‘Trust me — I can’t believe it either!’”

With her windfall, she plans to travel abroad and experience places that have always been on her bucket list. “I’m already planning a trip to London. After that, I’d love to visit Scotland — it’s been a dream destination of mine for years. I hope to explore more of Europe as well and take my time experiencing different cultures.”

Above all, it’s the simple pleasures that mean the most to Laurie. “This win means I can retire and finally enjoy the little things in life. I’m looking forward to having more time for hobbies, spending time with loved ones, and living life at a slower pace.”

She added that one of the things she’s most excited about is taking a painting class. “There have been many painting classes I’ve wanted to take over the years, but they were always during my work hours. Now, I can sign up and enjoy something I’ve always wanted to do. I feel incredibly fortunate, grateful, and excited for what the future holds.”

The Classic Draw offers a fixed $5 million jackpot for every draw, while the Gold Ball Draw guarantees a $1 million prize, or the growing jackpot that starts at $10 million and can exceed $60 million. Click here for more information about the new LOTTO 6/49.

The winning ticket was purchased at Shoppers Drug Mart on Eglinton Avenue East in Scarborough.

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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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 $64 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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