2019 was a lucky year for many B.C. residents, according to the year-end findings from the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC).
A record-breaking $785 million in winnings were paid out to British Columbians over the past year, from 86 million successful tickets.
The five highest winners all won above $10 million.
Joseph Katalinic, a Richmond resident and retired fisherman, was the luckiest of all with a $60 million dollar payout in August 2019. Katalinic’s win was the largest in B.C. lottery history.
“I went back the day after the draw and put [my ticket] in that little machine,” Katalinic told BCLC after his win was announced. “When I saw that 60 and the six zeroes, I just about crapped.”
The second-highest total went to Surrey’s Michelle De Roma, who won $39.5 million, and the third went to Merritt’s Rowena Inyallie and George Munro, who won $25.9 million.
On the island, Jesse Logan and Teresa Winters Day won $5 million dollars after buying a Mini Dip ticket pack in September 2019.
See also: Vancouver Island duo wins Lotto 6/49 $5 million jackpot
The pair had just recently began playing Lotto 6/49 together and both have big plans for the money.
“I will be able to spoil my kids” Winters Day said, “I’ve always wanted to go to Disneyland… that’s the first thing I’ll do with my kids, and then go on a shopping spree”.
B.C. also had a flurry of four consecutive $1 million Lotto 6/49 Prize wins in the span of 10 days from November 20-30. It was only the second time that has ever happened in B.C.
BCLC emphasizes that the lottery is about playing for fun, not money, but here’s hoping 2020 brings even more luck and success to B.C. residents!
With files from Joel Brewster
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