When word started spreading that a one million dollar ticket had been sold in the Atholville, New Brunswick area for the Oct. 26 Lotto Max draw, Gary and Ginette Keeley decided they should check their tickets.
Gary plays the lottery every week, sometimes buying a few extra tickets when the jackpot gets higher, like it was for the record Lotto Max draw of a $60 million and 56 Maxmillions on Friday.
“I’m a firm believer that if you don’t have a ticket, you’re not going to win,” he said, even if he’s not always in a rush to see if he’s won.
“Normally I don’t go out of the house to check my tickets on Sunday.”
Gary says when he took his tickets to the store and one of the screens went crazy.
Once the numbers were confirmed, Gary kept the winning ticket in Ziploc bag tucked in his back pocket, until he could claim his prize.
The couple already planned to renovate their bathroom in the spring and, although the winnings will help with those plans, Gary said most of the money will help make life a little easier for the couple’s three adult children and seven grandchildren.
“The big thing for us will be to share it with our kids and grandkids,” Gary said. “I’m excited for the family. I’m very happy about that.”
