Friday, March 29, 2024

Vancouver Islanders won over $20 million in lottery jackpots this year

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Are you feeling lucky?

Dozens of millionaires were made across BC this year, according to the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC), and many of them were from Vancouver Island.

Two $1 million prizes were won in Sidney and Ladysmith this October, with another $500,000 going to someone in Victoria on the same day.

One of these winners, Kathleen MacDougal, said she had spent much of her life caring for others, and was excited to focus on herself for a spell.

“I had to call my best friend to come and get me because I couldn’t even walk,” she said back in November.

Later that month,, two life-long friends John Prpich from Port Alberni and David Dubbin from Nanaimo won a staggering $19.8 million jackpot.

The pair had grown up playing hockey together, and in their adult years had been buying lottery tickets together for over 30 years.

“At first I was like – it’s 5:30 in the morning! And then all I thought was ‘what an honest friend,’” said Prpich.

“I was just glad to tell my kids. Now my kids are going to be okay.”

Meanwhile, one lucky individual from Victoria has become $1 million richer – and they might not even know it!

A winning lottery ticket was purchased in the city but has so far been unclaimed. The ticket holder has until January 3rd, 2019 to claim their prize!

In total, roughly 41 Vancouver Island residents won prizes of $10,000 or more from BCLC lotteries this year.

Across all of BC, 36 people were turned into millionaires in 2018. According to BCLC, a total of $687 million was won in lotteries in the province between April 1st, 2017 to March 31st, 2018.

*Note: Victoria Buzz is not affiliated with BC Lottery Corporation and does not advocate gambling or taking part in lotteries. If you choose to participate, remember to play responsibly.

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Adam Chan
Former Staff Writer at Victoria Buzz.

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