Group of six Quebec strangers win $32M jackpot

Six people won a total of $32 million after the Oct. 9 draw of the Lotto 6/49 Gold Ball Jackpot – and apart from one couple, all were strangers to each other until they met on Wednesday at the Loto-Quebec offices in Montreal to claim their prize.

The winning Formule groupe ticket was sold in five different shares, each equivalent to $6.4M.

The winning tickets were bought at Servi Express in Saint-Clet.

According to the press release, the retailer will receive a commission of $320,000, or one per cent of the total amount.

The winners are Benoit Laberge, Marie-Josée Roy, Louise Lanthier, Jeanne Bouchard Pharand, and couple Lyne Beaulieu and Alain Dupuis.

They all live in Montégérie, except Roy, who lives in Montreal and was only in the area for her horseback riding classes.

According to a press release, Beaulieu and Dupuis resigned from their jobs, and Laberge is anticipating an early retirement. Pharand said she is planning on buying a new car and spoiling her loved ones.

Roy said at a press conference on Wednesday that she is thinking about spending her money to support a cause of her choice.

“Over the last 10 months, Quebecers collectively won over $115 million,” said Isabelle Jean, Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer of Lottery Games at Loto-Quebec in the press release.