Ontario truck driver shares special family connection with $212K Lotto Max win: 'It was indescribable'
'Life has been a roller coaster' lately for one Peterborough resident, but the recent lotto win will help 'make things easier.'
A new Ontario lottery winner is now ready to “put his feet up and take a breath” after winning $212,849.20 in a Lotto Max draw.
Playing the lottery is a special family ritual for Robert Parker, a 46-year-old truck driver from Peterborough, Ont. He started playing to commemorate his father, who was once a regular lottery player himself.
“My dad used to buy tickets all the time,” shared Parker, while at the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto to pick up his winnings. “I started playing in his honour.”
Parker primarily enjoys playing Lotto Max and Lotto 6/49, and didn’t expect to ever win such a big prize. But early one morning, everything changed when he discovered he had won the Lotto Max second prize in the June 30, 2023 draw.
“It was indescribable,” said Parker on the winning moment. “I felt calm when I scanned the ticket, and the cashier was thrilled for me!”
The first thing he did when discovering his win was to immediately share the news with his mom. He texted her to ask if she was sitting down before ringing her phone to share the surprising news.
“I called and said, ‘I’m pretty sure I won,’” said Parker. “She was more excited than I was!”
The winning ticket was purchased at Mister Convenience on Orpington Road in Peterborough. The winning numbers for the June 30 draw were 1, 13, 19, 26, 35, 42, 49 and a Bonus of 37. Parker scored six out of the seven numbers, plus the bonus, leading to his win.
This prize is a huge financial boost for Parker, as it will help manage his future investments much faster.
“It would take me a long time to save this money myself,” said Parker.
“Life has been a roller coaster, but this is going to make things easier. With a win like this, you’re able to put your feet up and take a breath.”
Lotto Max players in Ontario have won over $7.6 billion since 2009, including 97 jackpot wins and 850 Maxmillions prizes across the province. Lotto Max is $5 per play and draws take place on Tuesdays and Fridays.
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