BC lottery winners took home millions of dollars in lotto jackpots in 2024, according to BCLC, which means a lot of dreams came true this year around the province
What would you do if you won the big one? The lucky lotto players around the province are preparing for retirement, taking care of family, and even embarking on amazing vacations.
To help inspire you for a big windfall, here’s what some BC lotto winners have planned with their winnings.
BCLC
Glady Parrenas of New Westminster, BC, was stunned when she realized that her Lotto 6/49 ticket for the May 11, 2024, draw had won her a $1 million prize.
“I made sure I bought a ticket during Mother’s Day weekend,” Parrenas shared.
She kept checking her ticket on the BCLC Lotto! App to ensure her eyes were not deceiving her.
“I thought it couldn’t be real. I checked multiple tickets and checked [the winning ticket] throughout the day to confirm.”
Parrenas said she would use some of the windfall to pay off her mortgage and to take her family on a cruise and trip to Japan.
“Excitement that I can do what I have been wanting to do for family. It will allow me to retire [early] without hesitation.”
Bao Diep of Langley, BC, was at home when he learned that someone in a neighbouring community had won a major prize in the Lotto 6/49 draw. So he pulled up the BCLC Lotto! app.
“I saw that someone won in Abbotsford, so I thought maybe I had a chance,” Diep explained. “I scanned my ticket and saw one million dollars. I was very happy and excited.”
Diep shared that he plans on celebrating his $1 million windfall during an upcoming trip to Turkey. He added that the prize will allow him to focus on cooking, which is a major hobby of his.
Another future purchase he would love to make is a larger home equipped with a bigger kitchen.
Thomas Armstrong of New Westminster, BC, received an email from PlayNow stating that he won a prize, and his first thought was that there must have been a mistake.
Only after logging into his account did he realize that he had won a $500,000 Extra prize from the Lotto Max draw on October 18, 2024.
“I logged out and back in and then called my wife to take a look,” said Armstrong of the moment he double and triple-checked his jackpot win. “She thought it was an error as well.”
The Metro Vancouver resident added that he plans on “making a few upgrades” to a Florida trip he has already booked. He also plans on purchasing a new car with the $500,000 windfall.
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Robert Beaulieu of Surrey, BC, checked his Lotto 6/49 ticket for the September 11, 2024, draw on the BCLC app and was stunned to learn they had won $5 million.
The first thing he did was wake up his wife Marie in the early morning hours.
“I couldn’t believe my eyes after I scanned it on the [Lotto!] app,” Robert said. “When I woke up Marie; she asked if it was actually $5 million, there were so many zeros.”
Robert and Marie are in the process of returning home to Montreal for their retirement after living on the West Coast for over 25 years. They are in the process of renovating their Quebec home and are excited to make a few additions.
Mark Wihlidal of Kamloops, BC, was at home having a cup of coffee when he discovered that he and his wife Colleen had won the $500,000 Extra Prize from the August 3, 2024, Lotto 6/49 draw.
“I drink a lot of coffee, and I could feel the shock coming on,” Mark said of his reaction after checking the ticket on BCLC’s Lotto! App. “It’s a good thing I was sitting down. Shock and coffee should not go together.”
“A little more travelling” is in the future for the Wihlidals, as well as some home improvements.
Mark and Colleen also shared that they plan on gifting some of their windfall to their kids and are looking forward to a “very comfortable retirement.”
Alan Sevillo of Surrey, BC, was at Surrey Central when he learned that he won $2 million on his BC/49 ticket for the June 5, 2024 draw.
“I scanned this (BC/49) ticket and saw all the zeroes. I showed the person working [at the lotto kiosk], he double-checked and hugged me.”
Sevillo was with his family and shared the good news. However, they were a little skeptical at first.
“My wife did not believe me! When she saw the retailer hug me, then she believed me.”
Sevillo said he plans to use some of his winnings to take his daughter to Disneyland and purchase a second vehicle for the family.
Shelagh Clegg of Delta, BC, was left stunned after discovering that she won $1 million from the August 20, 2024, Lotto Max draw
“I was at home, and I was in disbelief,” Clegg shared of the moment she learned she won. “I had to count all the zeroes.
“I had thought it was $100,000, then I had to scan again [with the BCLC Lotto! App]. Then I went to the Thrifty’s – just to be sure,” she said.
Clegg revealed that she plans to put some of her winnings into savings and that she will treat herself to a “little present” and a new car.
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Sidney resident Paul Masters was out shopping when he remembered to check his ticket for the August 16, 2024, Lotto Max draw.
“I was in the grocery store and had a few tickets in my wallet,” Masters explained. “My first ticket won $1, the second ticket was $20, which was exciting, and then I checked the third ticket, which had a lot of zeroes.
“I checked again and put the ticket in a safety deposit box right away.”
And how does it feel to be a new millionaire?
“I’m not concerned about retiring! I am currently looking after my mom and don’t have any concerns to make sure she is well cared for.”
Gia Hau Liang of Burnaby, BC, took home a windfall of $749,136.08 after playing the MegaJackpots Cleopatra slot game on BCLC’s PlayNow.
Liang was at home when he won and was left “so excited and shocked for a long time” upon comprehending his win.
“I can finally go on a dream vacation to Mexico with my wife and child,” he said.
The Metro Vancouver resident adds that he plans to pay for his daughter’s school tuition and will also donate to the BC Children’s Hospital.
Sandeep Pamma of Surrey, BC, was putting his daughter to bed when he received a notification from BCLC’s PlayNow that he had won a $535,458.54 jackpot playing Mega Jackpots Golden Goddess.
“I decided to call BCLC and had a conversation with them,” Pamma said of the moment he learned he won. “They confirmed that I won, I had no reaction for five seconds and my legs were shaking.”
Pamma added that he plans on celebrating the win with his family and friends, and that he will treat his family to a vacation to Disneyland.