Truck driver from Orillia celebrates $1 million lottery win
Jason Free, of Orillia, Ont., won $1 million with his Encore numbers in the Aug. 30, 2024, Lotto Max draw. (Source: OLG)
A truck driver from Orillia is proof that saying yes to Encore can pay off in a big way.
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Jason Free matched all seven Encore numbers in exact order to win a life-changing $1 million prize in the August 30 Lotto Max draw.
Free said he has been a dedicated lottery player for about five years and always adds Encore to his tickets.
"I couldn't wait to tell my wife," he said while picking up his prize at the OLG centre in Toronto. "At first, I thought I'd won $100,000, but when I realized it was actually $1 million, I was in total shock. I couldn't believe it. I told everyone I know."
The father and grandfather said he plans to take his family on a well-deserved vacation and make a solid contribution to his retirement fund. "This came at the perfect time," he said. "Winning is surreal. It's the best feeling in the world."
Encore offers 22 ways to win and can be added to most lottery tickets for an extra $1.
The winning ticket was purchased at Orchard Gate Gas Bar on Atherley Road in Orillia.
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