Espanola resident wins $1 million on Lotto Max

Zita Hughes of Espanola became a millionaire recently, thanks to a winning Encore ticket in the May 22 OLG Lotto Max draw.

“I was at the store buying groceries when I decided to buy a Lotto Max ticket,” said Hughes, while at the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto where she picked up her winnings.

“After the draw happened I checked my ticket in the ticket-checker.”

She saw a few zeros on the screen. “I thought I won $1,000.” Hughes asked the store employee to scan her ticket, “the store employee whispered to me, ‘You won $1 million!’ I remained calm and cool.”

“When I got home I gave my daughter the envelope with the redemption slip inside. She was more excited than I was!”

Hughes said she plans to share some of her winnings with family and save the rest.