Quebec retiree wins half of historic $80M Lotto Max jackpot

A Quebec retiree won half the $80 million Lotto Max jackpot on Sept. 17, after purchasing a last-minute ticket online in the Outaouais region.

Bernard Morissette, a senior in his 80s, purchased one of the two winning tickets around 9 p.m. on the night of the draw.

Morissette said he’s been playing Lotto Max for several years and has always chosen the same numbers because they have a special significance to him.

“It was 9 p.m. and I hadn’t bought my tickets yet. After I turned off my TV, that’s when I thought about it,” he said. “I always choose the same numbers. The combination is by year, and the first six digits is my kids birthday. And the last number, 46 is the year my wife was born.”

A Loto-Québec employee got in touch with the retired gym teacher the following day, after he told his wife that they won $40 million.

Morisette had to double-check the information on his online account and was later invited in a limousine to visit the Loto-Québec head office.

“He immediately contacted his three children to tell them he won. They were so skeptical that they had to check it out for themselves on their father’s computer,” reads a press release.

Morisette said he plans on buying an electric car with his newfound fortune, but said he also wants to secure his children’s financial future.

“I didn’t even know that my dad bought lottery tickets to be honest,” said Bernard’s son, Martin. “We’re not a gambling family or we don’t spend money in that. I’ve never bought a ticket in my life and I’m 52 years old. It’s really wonderful.

Martin said when he first heard the news, he started crying.

“I got emotional. I wanted to make sure that my parents were okay because it’s big emotion. My dad is getting a bit older in life. We’re going to have a little bit more free time to enjoy our families, to enjoy the things that we like. That’s pretty much it. We won’t be splurging and I’m not going to buy myself a Ferrari.”

According to Loto-Québec, over $100 million in lottery prizes have been awarded since the beginning of September.

“This is the first time in Canada’s history that an $80,000,000 jackpot has been offered. We’re thrilled that a share of this historic jackpot was won in Quebec,” said Isabelle Jean, executive vice-president and chief operating officer of lottery games at Loto-Québec. “Lotto Max is a favourite among Québec lottery players. Since the game’s launch, they’ve collectively won over $3.7 billion with Lotto Max!”