Edward Footitt of Bracebridge is celebrating after stepping inside OLG’s newest experiential lottery game and winning $55,000.
Edward, a retiree, has been playing the lottery with OLG for decades. “My wife and I have an evening routine where we play Instant tickets together before dinner. This is my first big win,” he shared while at the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto.
“I checked my ticket at the store, not expecting to win the big prize. The clerk told me to watch the terminal, and I had no idea what was happening,” he said. “The next thing I knew, they were telling me I’d won a money machine live event!”
Edward brought home a bouquet of flowers and a bottle of wine to celebrate with his wife. “When I told her the news, she started shaking with excitement. It was a wonderful moment to share together — one I will never forget,” he smiled.
On the day of his live event, Edward admitted that seeing the Money Machine for the first time was a bit daunting. “I tried to grab as many bills as I could while hearing my family cheering me on. It blew my mind to hear I’d won $55,000!”
With his winnings, Edward plans to pay a couple of bills, do some work around the house, share with his grandchildren, and set the rest aside to enjoy. “I’ll treat my wife to whatever she wants,” he said with a grin.
“It felt so good to share this moment with my family,” he continued. “We’ll be telling this story for a long time.”
The winning ticket was purchased at Shoppers Drug Mart on Manitoba Street in Bracebridge.