GTA Coworkers Split $60 Million Lotto Max Jackpot
A group of five coworkers from the Greater Toronto Area have won the $60 million Lotto Max jackpot from the January 21, 2025, draw. The winning ticket was purchased at a Giant Tiger store in Etobicoke as part of a Lunar New Year tradition.
Each member of the group will receive $12 million, according to a news release by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG).
How the Winning Ticket Was Bought
Trang Pham of Mississauga bought the ticket on behalf of her colleagues. She made the purchase while picking up coffee creamer for the office, just days before Lunar New Year. The group had agreed to try their luck for the occasion, which in many Asian cultures symbolizes good fortune, family, and prosperity.
After seeing a news report that the winning ticket had been sold in Etobicoke, Pham checked the numbers.
“I saw that one line matched exactly,” said Pham. “I confirmed it on the OLG app and sent the screenshot to our group chat.”
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Reactions from the Winners
The group includes:
- Trang Pham – Mississauga
- Suong Tran – Mississauga
- Phong Phan – Brampton
- Thuc Le – Toronto
- Zou Hsieh – Scarborough
Each person shared their initial reaction when they learned of the win.
- Tran was in a parking lot when she received the message. She called Pham to confirm and said she began shaking with emotion.
- Le and Hsieh were not in the group chat and found out later. Both said they had difficulty sleeping or eating in the days that followed.
- Phan said he had to check the numbers himself and struggled to stay focused at work once he confirmed the win.
The reality became clear when OLG Chair Jim Warren presented them with a ceremonial cheque, using a giant red envelope to honor Lunar New Year traditions.
What They Plan To Do with the Money
Each winner has different plans for how they’ll use their $12 million.
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Trang Pham
- Wants to buy a house for her family
- Plans to invest and explore philanthropy
Suong Tran
- Intends to take time before making decisions
- Hopes to support causes meaningful to her
Thuc Le
- Will buy a house for her mother
- Plans to share her winnings and purchase a new car
Phong Phan
- Wants to travel and possibly start a business
- Not planning to retire yet
Zou Hsieh
- Has decided to retire
- Plans to travel and hopes to see the Northern Lights
Lotto Max Draw Details
The winning ticket was sold in Etobicoke. The group’s win highlights the cultural significance of Lunar New Year and the personal connections often involved in group lottery purchases.
According to OLG, the Lotto Max jackpot for the upcoming Tuesday draw remains at $60 million, with six additional Maxmillions prizes of $1 million each.
To view current draw details and prize information, visit olg.ca.
More…
- https://www.cp24.com/news/2025/03/25/five-gta-coworkers-win-60-million-lotto-max-jackpot
- https://toronto.citynews.ca/2025/03/25/olg-lotto-max-jackpot-60-million-winners-gta-coworkers-lunar-new-yea
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