Stacey Donison was reading peacefully at home when her husband, Raymond Donison, started hollering from the kitchen while watching a Canucks game. Raymond had a good reason for his outburst, as he was excited to tell Stacey that they won the $5-million Classic Jackpot from the November 18, 2023 Lotto 6/49 draw.
“I checked my numbers online and then I called my wife in right away to tell her,” recalled Raymond, of the moment he realized they won. “I didn’t know what was going on!”
Stacey was just as surprised when she learned from her husband that they won $5 million.
“I was in the other room reading. He’s such a jokester I didn’t believe him!” said Stacey, when thinking back on her initial reaction to the news.
Just to be sure, the Donisons also validated their ticket at the BCLC Lotto kiosk at Hillside Mall in Victoria.
The Victoria couple plan to have a casual family dinner to celebrate. “Beers, pizza and champagne!” exclaimed Raymond.
The Donisons are also planning a trip to Hawaii, in addition to a big family vacation. However, the couple was clear in emphasizing how much this win means for its family.
“This win means the world to us — we can leave a legacy for our grandkids,” said Stacey.
“My bucket list was to make sure that everyone in the family was happy and financially taken care of,” added Raymond.
The winning ticket was purchased at the Esso station on Fort and Morrison Streets in Victoria.
The couple claimed its $5-million jackpot on November 24, 2023, at BCLC’s Vancouver office.
So far in 2023, B.C. lottery players have redeemed more than $115 million in winnings from Lotto 6/49.
Lotto 6/49 is a nationwide lottery game drawn on Wednesdays and Saturdays after 7:30 p.m. (PST). The Gold Ball Draw is a guaranteed prize draw where players will win either the Guaranteed Prize of $1 million, or the growing Gold Ball Jackpot that starts at $10 million. The Classic Jackpot offers a prize that is always $5 million.
As B.C.’s only legal gambling website, PlayNow.com is the only site whose profits benefit British Columbians through investments in things like healthcare, education and community programs.
Players can visit PlayNow.com to learn how to set time and money limits as well as the other online tools available to encourage healthy play. For further information, visit GameSense.com.
