'Now we can sit back, relax and watch our children grow': Retired paramedic celebrates $800K lotto win
A Leamington, Ont. man and retired paramedic has 800,000 reasons to celebrate after he recently won big on an instant lotto game.
According to a press release from OLG, John Watkins of Leamington won $800,000 after playing the Bigger Spin instant lotto game.
The 64-year-old father, grandfather and retired paramedic said he typically plays the lottery once a week, but this is his first big win.
“I've been playing consistently for 30 years," he said. "I normally play the Big Spin, but I decided to try my luck this time with the Bigger Spin."
Watkins said when he spun the animated wheel at the store and it landed on the Bigger Spin prize, he was excited because it guaranteed a win of at least $500,000. But unbeknownst to Watkins, his actual winnings were going to be much higher.
"I was very shocked and excited,” he said while at the OLG Prize Centre to spin the Bigger Spin wheel in Toronto. “I was so close to landing on $1 million but I am so happy to be walking away with $800,000.”
So what does Watkins plan to do with his newfound winnings? Paying the mortgage, helping his children and saving the rest for a rainy day are in the cards, but that’s not all.
"We will also plan a family vacation," he said. "Now we can sit back, relax and watch our children grow.”
The winning ticket was purchased at Seacliff Stop and Shop Variety on Seacliff Drive in Leamington.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Montreal doctors' breakthrough discovery about causes of cerebral palsy giving hope
A breakthrough discovery made by doctors at the Montreal Children's Hospital about the causes of cerebral palsy is giving new hope to one West Island family.
Weather alerts issued for 7 provinces, 1 territory
Warnings of up to 60 millimetres of rain and other alerts have been issued for seven Canadian provinces and one territory ahead of the Easter weekend.
Ontario homeowner on the hook for $27,000 when contractor severed power line
An Ontario man who built a garage on his property has been locked in a battle with his electricity provider for a year and half over a severed power line.
He didn't trust police but sought their help anyway. Two days later, he was dead
Jameek Lowery was among more than 330 Black people who died after police stopped them with tactics that aren’t supposed to be deadly, like physical restraint and use of stun guns, The Associated Press found.
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
CRA no longer requiring 'bare trust' reporting in 2023 tax return
The Canada Revenue Agency announced Thursday it will not require 'bare trust' reporting from Canadians that it introduced for the 2024 tax season, just four days before the April 2 deadline.
Why Kim Kardashian is being sued for 'knockoff' furniture
The estate of minimalist contemporary artist Donald Judd filed a lawsuit against Kardashian this week, claiming the fashion and beauty mogul promoted 'cheap knockoffs' of his furniture designs.
Where is the worst place for allergy sufferers in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
Louis Gossett Jr., 1st Black man to win supporting actor Oscar, dies at 87
Louis Gossett Jr., the first Black man to win a supporting actor Oscar and an Emmy winner for his role in the seminal TV miniseries 'Roots,' has died. He was 87.