The OLG has announced the newest Lotto Max winner of $70 million.
Gregory (Greg) Chialtas of Toronto says he immediately turned to his family when he learned of his “massive lottery win,” the OLG said in a news release.
Chialtas won the $70-million Lotto Max jackpot from the April 19 draw.
Ever since he discovered he was holding the winning ticket, he couldn’t wait to tell his immediate family, which is a big Greek family, the OLG said in a release.
“We are a very close-knit family. It’s a bit of cliché, just like that movie, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. That’s why I turned to them first with this incredible news,” Chialtas said in the release.
During his winner celebration, the single father explained that he purchased the Lotto Max ticket while out getting groceries.
The lottery numbers on the winning ticket were numbers Chialtas chose because they are meaningful to his children, siblings and other family members, the OLG said.
“I was in total shock,” he said after learning he won big.
What would you do if you won $70 million?
Chialtas didn’t initially believe he won the big prize and called a friend and asked them to check the ticket on OLG.ca, the OLG said.
“It was unbelievable to us but we had to make absolutely sure I had the winning ticket. So we decided to meet up at a store near our homes and triple check them using the in-store ticket checker,” Chialtas said in the release. “When reality started to sink in, all I wanted to do was leave the store quietly, but my friend was freaking out.”
Chialtas shared the news with his family on a FaceTime call.
The recently retired public servant faced some health challenges in the past year and the support of his family helped with his recovery, the OLG said.
Chialtas says his family is helping him handle the big win.
“It’s been humbling and heartwarming to have their love during this entire incredible experience. They have kept me grounded and focused on what’s most important — my family,” he said in the release.
Chialtas said some plans for his new-found wealth include travel, ensuring his children finish their education, potentially new cars and homes for his immediate family and giving back to the community.
The winning ticket was purchased at the Sheppard Ticket Centre inside the Yonge Sheppard Centre on Yonge Street in Toronto.
Here’s video of Chialtas collecting his winnings:
There is some more good news for Chialtas and other Lotto Max players.
The OLG revealed earlier this year that the Lotto Max draw will get even bigger later this year.
Starting with the Sept. 10 draw, players will have the chance to play for a jackpot as high as $80 million, the OLG said in a release, adding that this is “an amount no Canadian lottery has ever reached before.”
There will still be two draws a week, Tuesdays and Fridays, with no change to the cost of play: $5 for three selections of seven numbers, the OLG said.
