(Newest millionaire, Georgia Gabriel-John of Stittsville, picks up her winnings at OLG Toronto on December 4, 2020. Georgia played the $1 Encore numbers on Lotto Max to win. Photo: Ontario Lottery Group)
Saying ‘YES’ to Encore paid off for Georgia Gabriel-John of Stittsville. Georgia matched all seven Encore numbers in exact order in the November 20, 2020 Lotto Max draw to win the $1 million! She also won $2 on another one of her Encore selections, bringing her total winning to $1,000,002.
“I never miss adding Encore,” shared Georgia, while at the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto to pick up her winnings.
The 48-year-old business analyst used the OLG Lottery App to check her ticket. “At first, I thought it was a mistake but when I checked it again, I was so excited and overwhelmed!”
Georgia immediately woke her husband up to tell him about her big win. “He was half asleep and thought I won $1,000,” she laughed. She told her children about her big win through video chat. “They were so happy. Some tears were shed. Telling my family was the best part!”
Georgia plans to purchase real estate with her win and share the rest with her family. “It is important to me to support food banks and my community church,” she said.
Georgia purchased the winning ticket at the Kanata Petro-Canada on Carbrooke Street.
OLG says, “Encore offers 22 ways to win and can be played in conjunction with most lottery games for an extra $1. There is an Encore draw every day.
To claim prizes over $50,000, call 1-800-387-0098; prize claims up to $49,999.90 should be submitted by mail.