Canadian lottery winner first told wife they won much lower prize before big reveal

A trip to the store to buy a light bulb ended up shining a light on a brighter future for a Canadian lottery player.

The route led Mehrdad P. of Maple Ridge, B.C., past a gas station, where he decided to check his ticket for the Oct. 9, 2026 Lotto Max draw.

Mehrdad used a self-scanner to check his ticket and discovered he won a $1 million Maxmillions prize.

Upon realizing how much he had won, he got back in his car and drove back home to share the good news.

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The Metro Vancouver resident first told his wife, who thought that he was being a bit strange.

“She said, ‘You are acting weird,’ and I told her, ‘I am weird,'” said Mehrdad.

“I told her I won $100,000, but later we checked on the [BCLC] Lotto! App and saw it was one million.”

Mehrdad bought the winning ticket at the Smart Stop in an Esso station on Lougheed Highway and Willingdon Avenue in Burnaby, B.C.

When asked what he was planning on doing with his windfall, he revealed that he wants to take his family on a “dream holiday” and then consider all of his options.

“I’m super excited. I can’t describe it.”

Another recent lottery winner in B.C. is also gearing up for a trip of a lifetime.

BCLC

A relaxing time at home suddenly got a lot more thrilling for a Canadian lottery player

Richard Z. of Quesnel, B.C., was relaxing at home when he heard that a major lottery prize was linked to a ticket bought in their hometown.

He decided to check his ticket for the Dec. 20, 2025 Lotto 6/49 draw and learned that he had won a $46 million Gold Ball Jackpot from his ticket.

“My wife and I want to do some travelling, and I want to see the pyramids! We want to experience and enjoy stress-free trips.”