Toronto, ON – Robert Carpenter of Fort Erie is celebrating after winning a $250,000 top prize with INSTANT CROSSWORD DELUXE (Game #3354).

Robert, who works in transportation, has been playing the lottery with OLG for about 30 years. While he loves to play LOTTO MAX and LOTTO 6/49, he also enjoys the occasional INSTANT ticket. The spontaneous purchase of a CROSSWORD DELUXE led Robert to the OLG Prize Centre to celebrate his first big win!

“I was at the gas station paying for fuel when I decided to pick up two INSTANT tickets. I headed to a nearby restaurant to grab a bite and play my tickets,” Robert recalled, while visiting the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto to pick up his windfall. “I didn’t win anything on the first ticket. On the second, I matched a quite a few words, so I returned to the gas station to verify what I won.”

Nothing could have prepared Robert for what happened next! “The lottery terminal froze, and I heard the little jingle. I was so happy, and my heart started pounding,” he smiled. “I called my wife and asked her, ‘Are you sitting down?’ Then I told her I had won $250,000! It took her a moment to absorb what was happening. She said it felt like her heart stopped. It wasn’t until I got home and showed her the ticket that she believed it fully,” Robert laughed.

With his winnings, Robert looks forward to building a garage, helping his kids, and investing for retirement.

“Winning feels great! It’s just fantastic. It’s both joyful and overwhelming,” he concluded.

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.

The winning ticket was purchased at Canadian Tire Gas+ on Garrison Road in Fort Erie.  

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 $59 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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