TORONTO, ON – Saying “yes” to ENCORE paid off for Maria Elizabeth Castillo of Brampton. She matched all seven ENCORE numbers in exact order in the February 8, 2025 ONTARIO 49 draw to win $1 million!

Maria Elizabeth, a retiree, has been playing the lottery with OLG for two years. She enjoys playing ONTARIO 49, LOTTARIO, LOTTO 6/49, and LOTTO MAX. She uses OLG’s Quick Pick feature to make her selections and always adds ENCORE to her plays. Maria Elizabeth is now celebrating her first big win and the thrill of becoming a millionaire!

“I’d purchased my ONTARIO 49 ticket on the day of the draw and checked it the following day,” Maria Elizabeth recounted, while visiting the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto to pick up her windfall. “I checked my ticket, using the OLG app, and thought I’d won $1,000. I showed my husband, and he thought it looked like more than that, so I headed to the store to have my ticket validated. When it was confirmed, I’d actually won $1 million on ENCORE, it was an emotional moment. I felt so happy and blessed.”

“I shared the incredible news with my husband and my brother, and they were both thrilled,” Maria Elizabeth smiled. “I’m happy that I can now retire. I will save my winnings for the future and will celebrate by taking a trip to visit with family,” she concluded.

ENCORE offers 22 ways to win and can be played in conjunction with most lottery games for an extra $1. There are two ENCORE draws every day.

The winning ticket was purchased at Ken Steeles Convenience on Steeles Avenue East in Brampton.

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. Since 1975, OLG has generated approximately $62 billion to the people and Province of Ontario 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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