Jason Goreski of Owen Sound wanted to take a Sunday drive up the Bruce Peninsula to look at cottages he and his family were dreaming of purchasing. While waiting for his girlfriend and kids to get ready, he decided to check his LOTTO 6/49 ticket from the February 2, 2019 draw.
“When I noticed I had matched four numbers in a row, I started to shake,” said Jason, a 48-year-old father of two. “Then I saw that the last two numbers matched and that’s when things started to get a bit hectic.”
That’s because Jason realized he held the winning ticket for the $33,396,099 LOTTO 6/49 jackpot!
“I asked my girlfriend to come and check the numbers again and she couldn’t believe it either.”
In his excitement, Jason called OLG to find out what to do next, seeing it was a Sunday when he called, he was given some instructions but was also told he would have to wait until the OLG Prize Centre opened before he could make the drive to Toronto.
With all his nervous excitement, he and the family decided to take that drive up the Bruce Peninsula after all and instead of dreaming of buying a cottage, they started to take a serious look at what was for sale.
“I always wanted a boat. Now I will buy it and a cottage with a big dock!”
Before coming to the OLG Prize Centre, Jason said he got some good advice from a financial advisor. “The feeling is numbing. Nobody can prepare you for this feeling. You don’t know what to do, where to go, who to talk to or how to feel. I know it sounds cliché but the feeling is truly indescribable.”
Jason has no plans to retire quite yet because he recently purchased a heating and cooling company in Owen Sound. He has worked for this company for 20 years and in the last six years started to buy-in to the business. This past fall he purchased the entire business and is in the middle of an expansion.
“I have 12 to 15 people and their families depending on me, so I will continue on with the expansion and with work,” stated Jason. “However, this windfall will definitely help make my future and that of my family much easier.”
Since its launch in June 1982, Ontario LOTTO 6/49 players have won over $12.4 billion in prizes, including 1,367 jackpot wins and 264 Guaranteed $1 Million Prize draws.
The winning ticket was purchased at Circle K on 9th Street in Owen Sound.
