'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
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.