This Lotto Max winner from Toronto claimed a $65 million jackpot from a ticket that he purchased in 2024!
He didn't even pick the numbers that scored the massive lottery prize.
OLG just announced that Mohit Sharma of Etobicoke won the $65 million jackpot with the Lotto Max draw on October 15, 2024.
Sharma bought the winning ticket at Lakeshore Mini Mart on Lakeshore Boulevard West in Etobicoke.
The Lotto Max winning numbers for the draw on October 15 were 8, 12, 19, 20, 26, 32 and 46.
Sharma revealed that he started buying lottery tickets in 2020 to give himself a weekly routine to look forward to during the pandemic.
Since then, he has set a budget and purchased Lotto Max tickets each week. But he has always opted for Quick Pick.
"I don't pick the numbers, so knowing that a random number that the lottery computer picked for me was the winner and my name was on that ticket is just unbelievable," Sharma said.
Sharma checked his Lotto Max tickets soon after the draw because he heard on the news that the winning ticket was sold in Etobicoke.
"I had a couple of tickets in a drawer, so I set up the tickets on the table and started scanning them using the OLG app," he said.
"The first ticket I scanned was the winner! I couldn't believe it, and my heart started pounding. My phone screen lit up as the words 'Big Winner' flashed across the screen."
"I thought to myself, 'I guess that person I heard about on the news was me,'" he explained.
Sharma still couldn't believe that he had just won $65 million, so he went for a walk to clear his head.
When he got back home, he scanned the ticket again to make sure it really was a winner.
Mohit Sharma.Courtesy of OLG
Sharma wanted to tell his family immediately, but they were travelling, so he kept it to himself and waited until they were all together in person.
"To say they were shocked is an understatement," he said. "I had to pinch a couple of them to prove it was real. It was an emotional moment with lots of trembling hands and elevated heart rates all around."
His family wanted to celebrate with champagne, but there were no champagne flutes, just a bunch of mismatched glasses.
"When we decided we needed proper champagne glasses to toast the great news, the only place still open was Walmart. So, we ran over to buy champagne glasses and raised a glass to my good fortune," Sharma said.
Ontario's new Lotto Max winner said he's confident that he put together a team of professionals to help him manage the $65 million.
"The best part of winning the lottery is that me and my family are financially free. We don't have to plan or save for holidays or vacations. If I want to travel now, I can. If I want to buy something, I can," Sharma explained.
On his bucket list is travelling on the world's most famous trains.
"I want to go to Japan to experience one of the world's fastest trains, the Shinkansen. I also want to travel on the Indian Pacific that goes from Sydney to Perth, Australia. The famous Orient Express is another on the top of my list, too," Sharma said.
He also wants to take The Canadian, a train route that goes from Toronto to Vancouver, and the Caledonian Sleeper, which goes across the U.K.
There is more that he wants to do with his millions, including giving back to his community and supporting causes close to his heart.
Sharma is also considering going back to school to get another degree or diploma because he loves to learn.
Love this? Check out our Narcity noticeboard for details on jobs, benefits, travel info and more!
If you or someone you know is struggling with problem gambling, refer to these helplines across Canada. Support is available.