Rowena Ibusca cried tears of joy after learning that she won $500,000 from the July 11, 2025 Lotto Max draw, splitting a Maxmillions prize with another player in Ontario.
“I was inside a drugstore, scanning my ticket,” recalled Ibusca of the moment she realized she won. “When I scanned, I first thought it said $500, but then I scanned it again and just started crying. The first thing I said was, ‘Is this true?’”
The Vancouver resident first shared the news with her daughter. “I went home and was waiting for my daughter to return from her camping trip. We were both jumping and crying.”
Ibusca is taking some time to decide how to spend her winnings. “I am too shocked to decide right now but I know this will be a big help for my goals and savings.”
On how it feels to win the lottery?
“It’s a big blessing. It’s going to help me in my life a lot.”
Ibusca purchased the winning ticket at Point Grey Pharmacy on W. 10th Avenue and Sasamat Street in Vancouver.
So far in 2025, B.C. lottery players have redeemed more than $153 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 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. Players can visit PlayNow.com to learn how to set time and money limits. For more information on tools and resources to encourage healthy play, visit GameSense.com.
