TORONTO, ON – Michele Kloesel of Mississauga can realize her dreams after winning a $500,000 MAXMILLIONS prize in the August 15, 2025 LOTTO MAX draw. Her ticket was one of two that split the $1 million prize.

Michele, a married mother of two, has been a loyal lottery player with OLG for over 25 years. She enjoys playing LOTTO MAX and LOTTO 6/49, and always uses OLG’s Quick Pick feature to make her selections. Now, she’s thrilled to share the news of her first major win.

The 55-year-old discovered she won big when she scanned her ticket at the store. “I checked it maybe three times,” she recalled while at the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto to claim her winnings. “I was in total shock!”

Michele said she quickly took a picture and sent it to her husband. “He thought it was a joke and completely ignored me at first,” she laughed. “When he realized I was serious, he couldn’t believe it. He said his heart skipped a beat.”

Looking back on her big win, Michele shared, “It’s a surreal feeling. I’m just speechless.”

As for what’s next, she plans to take some time to decide how to make the most of her winnings. “I’m still in disbelief. This is just unbelievable,” she concluded.

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 Shoppers Drug Mart at The West Mall in Etobicoke.

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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