Michael Heater was convinced his eyes were playing tricks on him upon finding out that his Lotto Max ticket from the May 3, 2022 draw matched all four Extra numbers — netting him the top prize of $500,000.
“I was in my office when I checked my tickets and thought, ‘this can’t be real,” he recalled. “I called BCLC right away.”
Heater couldn’t wait to share the news with his close family and friends.
“I’ve told a lot of people already,” he exclaimed.
Although Heater currently doesn’t have many concrete plans for his prize, he does have his eyes on a new truck.
On how it feels to win half a million dollars?
“Exciting and so surreal. It will relieve some worries, but I’ve always just played for fun,” he added.
The Salmon Arm resident purchased his ticket from Hideaway Liquor Store on Lakeshore Drive and checked his ticket using BCLC’s Lotto! app.
In 2021, B.C. lottery players redeemed more than $42 million in winnings from the Extra and more than $262 million from Lotto Max. Lotto Max is a nationwide lottery game drawn on Tuesdays and Fridays after 7:30 p.m. (PST).
Players can purchase tickets at lottery retailers or at PlayNow.com. Winning numbers and group release forms can be found online at www.bclc.com. Players can now check their lottery tickets anytime, anywhere on iOS and Android devices. Learn more about the BCLC Lotto! app here.
BCLC offers socially responsible gambling entertainment while generating income to benefit all British Columbians. Remember, play for fun, not to make money. For more information, visit GameSense.com.
