'Check your tickets,' Ticket purchased locally wins half the record-breaking $80 million lottery jackpot

Check your lottery tickets because someone who purchased a ticket in Grey County is an overnight multi-millionaire, having won half of the historic lottery jackpot.

Two tickets won Tuesday's record-breaking $80 million Lotto Max jackpot, one sold in Grey County and the other in Quebec.

Each ticket is worth $40 million.

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While we know the winning ticket was purchased somewhere in Grey County, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) will not reveal exactly where.

OLG external communications director Tony Bitonti told CTV News that the winning ticket holder would have to answer a series of questions, including where and when they purchased it to claim their $40 million prize.

"That's how we determine the rightful owner of the winning ticket," Bitonti said. "The only piece of information we don't have is who bought the ticket."

OLG says 24 Maxmillions prizes were also up for grabs in the Tuesday draw.

The $40 million winner from Grey County has yet to claim their prize.

"Check your tickets right away," Bitonti said, adding that the winning ticket holder should go to a store terminal to verify the ticket.

"When you go to the retail location and the bells and whistles go off, it contacts OLG immediately, and we speak to the retailer and the ticket holder," Bitonti explained. "Or you can check on your [OLG] app and call OLG."

OLG requires winners to sign their winning ticket on the front and the back and recommends storing it somewhere safe. It also suggests keeping a copy of the winning ticket.

Bitonti concluded with some advice for the winning ticket holders.

"Before you come to claim it, talk to a financial advisor, lawyer, or banker to know your options for when you do claim your money," he said.

Lottery winners have one year from the draw date to claim their prize.

OLG says there have been six winning Lotto Max jackpot tickets sold in Ontario, including in Kawartha Lakes, since February.