Victoria residents Jean Orestil and Rose-Marie Orestil-Casseus had a good feeling when they went to check their Lotto 6/49 ticket for the March 26, 2025 draw.
That good feeling only grew when the couple found out they had scored $1 million from the Lotto 6/49 draw.
“I was at a gas station when I found out we won,” recalled Jean. “I was stunned; I just didn’t believe it! I first checked myself then I passed the ticket in a joking way to the cashier to ask him to pay out the prize, as I am a regular there.”
Jean immediately shared the news with his wife, Rose-Marie. “I was shocked!’” said Rose-Marie.
40 is a special number across the board for their win, as Jean has been a taxi driver in Canada for 40 years and he claimed the prize with Rose-Marie at BCLC’s Vancouver office on April 1, 2025, which also happens to be BCLC’s 40th anniversary.
The couple plan to retire and hope to buy a property. They also look forward to helping their family.
“We have grandkids! We’ll make them happy!” said Jean.
"Happy!” said Rose-Marie.
The couple purchased the winning ticket at the Shell gas station on Burnside Road West in Victoria.
In 2024, B.C. lottery players redeemed more than $144 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.
