Darryl Woods was overcome with excitement upon discovering that he matched 6/6 numbers from the April 23, 2025, Lotto 6/49 draw, netting him a stunning $5-Million prize — so much so that his body was “vibrating” for hours.
The Prince George resident was at home the morning after the draw when he decided to scan his ticket on BCLC’s Lotto! App, and was beside himself when he saw the winning numbers appear on the screen.
“I thought, ‘this can’t be real,’” Woods recalled of his initial reaction. “I had to check it three times to make sure and once I realized the amount, I couldn’t stop vibrating until that afternoon!”
Woods was most excited to tell one of his brothers — who was asleep just minutes before Woods knocked on his door — about his windfall.
“I woke him up at 7 a.m. to show him. He was a bit dazed at first but was really excited for me once I showed him I won,” said Woods.
Apart from immediate family, nobody else knew of Woods’ win until April 29 when he called a few friends during his drive to BCLC’s Kamloops office to claim his prize.
Woods has a few plans, including potentially purchasing a classic car or a truck, but is most looking forward to gifting a large portion of his winnings to his siblings and kids.
“I’m most happy about giving the money to my kids.”
On how it feels to be a multi-millionaire?
“It feels amazing… it’s life changing!”
Woods purchased the winning ticket at Shah Brothers Convenience Store on Westwood Drive in Prince George.
So far in 2025, B.C. lottery players have redeemed more than $16 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. For more information on tools and resources to encourage healthy play, visit GameSense.com.
