Hamilton Resident Receives $50 Million LOTTO MAX Jackpot
TORONTO, Jan. 7, 2014 /CNW/ - The New Year is full of exciting prospects for Kathryn Jones of Hamilton. Today, she received a cheque for $50 million from the November 30, 2012 LOTTO MAX draw. It is a lottery prize she didn't even know she had won until Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) came knocking on her door just before the prize expiry date.
"We're very excited for the new opportunities that this windfall affords ourselves and our family," said Kathryn. "I'm looking forward to the whole new facet of my life that has been opened up because OLG took the initiative to find me."
OLG President and CEO Rod Phillips first announced Kathryn as the identified winner of the $50 million prize on December 3, 2013 after a unique and extensive prize claim investigation. The prize from the November 30, 2012 LOTTO MAX draw remained unclaimed for close to a year, until information uncovered in a different prize claim investigation led OLG to Kathryn as the identified winner.
As per OLG policy, the prize was then held for a minimum of 30 days and publicized because it was determined that Kathryn's sister owns a retail outlet in the Ottawa area where OLG lottery tickets are sold.
"I am pleased to award Kathryn Jones the $50 million LOTTO MAX jackpot prize," said Mr. Phillips who presented the cheque to Kathryn at the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto. "OLG is proud to be part of such an extraordinary journey that led us to Kathryn as the rightful winner. It's an exciting new beginning for Kathryn and her family and a great ending to a year-long mystery."
Kathryn and her husband Richard, both 54 year old engineers, and their two university-aged children, have had the holiday season to think about the windfall and start making plans for their new winnings. While Kathryn has officially retired, Richard is thinking about staying on at his workplace in some sort of capacity.
A priority for the couple will be to travel. "I've always wanted to go to Australia and New Zealand. The other side of the world was never on the radar and now it's a very real option."
There might also be some adventure for the family in the future. "I've been catching my husband viewing online videos of sailboats and researching different models. I think he and his buddy are conspiring on some grand future adventures - they have big dreams to do some racing."
Kathryn also plans to give back to her local community by setting up a charitable fund. "This has been such a great windfall and such a great way to win the prize. I wanted to come full circle and be able to use this experience in a meaningful way."
Kathryn concluded, "Time has given us the chance to reflect on this weird and wonderful journey. In the end, I can truly say that my overwhelming sentiment is gratefulness. I've been pleasantly surprised by the support and well wishes we have received from our family, colleagues and community. Also, I'm thankful to OLG and the initiative they took to award us this life-changing prize."
The winning ticket was purchased at Shoppers Drug Mart on Dundas Street in Cambridge.
Since its launch in September 2009, Ontario LOTTO MAX players have won over $2 billion in prizes, including 31 jackpot wins and 189 winning MAXMILLIONS tickets from all across the province.
OLG is a provincial agency responsible for province-wide lottery games and gaming facilities. Since 1975, OLG has provided nearly $38 billion to the Province and the people of Ontario. OLG's annual payments to the Province have helped support health care; education, research, prevention and treatment of problem gambling; amateur sport through the QUEST FOR GOLD program; and local and provincial charities.
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Video with caption: "Video: LOTTO MAX Lost & Found: OLG finds $50 million jackpot winner - The $50 million winner reminds us all why you should never misplace a ticket! See Ontario's newest millionaire, Kathy Jones, tell the incredible story of how she was found and finally got her cheque. ". Video available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WftN912jv-Q
Image with caption: "OLG's President and CEO Rod Phillips and OLG's Chair of the Board of Directors Philip Olsson present Hamilton resident Kathryn Jones with a cheque for $50,000,000 at the OLG Prize Centre Tuesday. Kathryn won the November 30, 2012 LOTTO MAX jackpot. (CNW Group/OLG Winners)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140107_C7385_PHOTO_EN_35374.jpg
Image with caption: "OLG's President and CEO Rod Phillips and OLG's Chair of the Board of Directors Philip Olsson present LOTTO MAX winner Kathryn Jones of Hamilton with an oversized, novelty magnet reminding her and all other lottery players to keep their tickets in a safe place. (CNW Group/OLG Winners)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140107_C7385_PHOTO_EN_35376.jpg
SOURCE: OLG Winners
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OLG is a crown agency that develops world-class gaming entertainment for the Province of Ontario. 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...
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