An Innisfil plumber played the same Lotto Max numbers for years after a Quick Pick first picked them for him. In July they were finally worth $25 million.
The numbers he never changed
A few years ago, a Lotto Max Quick Pick handed Stanley J. a set of numbers he decided to keep. He played the same line draw after draw from then on. On July 24, 2026, they matched enough to win $25 million - though it took almost two months, and an announcement from the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) on September 17, for the story to become public.
A ticket from Woodstock, a winner from Innisfil
The winning ticket was bought at a Food Basics on Dundas Street in Woodstock, Ontario. The man who bought it, Stanley J., lives about an hour away in Innisfil and has spent roughly 40 years working as a plumber, according to OLG.
"She thought I was joking"
Stanley checked the ticket himself, using the OLG Lottery app, and said he was too stunned to trust what he was seeing. "I soon realized I won much more, but I was in shock," he said. "I asked my girlfriend to check my ticket for me, and she thought I was joking until she saw the prize amount of $25 million."
"I am a friggin' millionaire!"
The moment it became real, Stanley said, was seeing the number land in his bank account. "Wow! I am a friggin' millionaire!" he said. Even then, he described the win as something that would take time to sink in: "I'm still in shock. It won't feel real until I see the balance in my bank account, and it'll take some time to sink in."
A lakefront house, a classic car, and his granddaughter
Stanley's plans are modest by billionaire-jackpot standards but personal: a lakefront property, a classic hot rod, beach trips with his girlfriend, and more time and money for his daughter and granddaughter. "I want to spoil my granddaughter and daughter," he said. "This win brings me a sense of comfort."
How Lotto Max works
Lotto Max is a national Canadian lottery game offered through OLG in Ontario and other provincial and territorial lottery corporations across the country. Players choose seven numbers from 1 to 50; draws are held Tuesday and Friday nights, with jackpots that can roll to $70 million or more. Must be 18 or over to play in Ontario.
This article is reported from published reports and official lottery announcements. Details were accurate as reported; prize amounts and winner details can change as claims are processed - verify with the official operator. Amounts are shown in each game's own currency. TopLotteryOnline is not affiliated with any lottery operator. 18+. Play responsibly.
