Bernard White Wins $40M Lotto Max Jackpot After Thinking It Was $40K

Bernard White, a 79-year-old retired railway worker from Oshawa, Ontario, is now $40 million richer after winning the Lotto Max jackpot on February 21, 2025. His big win, however, came with a comical mix-up that left him initially thinking he had won $40,000.

A Sleepy Surprise and a Very Real Jackpot

Bernard White, who had been purchasing two Lotto Max tickets every week—one for himself and one for his daughter—was awakened early one morning by his daughter, who told him he had won $40,000. Still groggy, White was unfazed.

“I looked at her, half asleep, and replied, ‘That’s great! Now we can both pay off our cars,’” White recalled.

But minutes later, his daughter returned with an update: $40 million, not $40,000. Overcome with shock and excitement, White laughed as he explained, “I couldn’t jump out of bed. I would’ve hit the ceiling if I had underwear on!”

An Excited Family, A Surreal Moment

White’s daughter, shaking with excitement, rushed home from work, unable to concentrate on her job. Together, they visited the store where White had purchased the ticket to verify the win. Upon scanning the ticket, the terminal lit up like “a Christmas tree,” confirming the life-changing amount.

White described the surreal moment of telling his long-time partner, who initially didn’t believe his claim.

“I told her I’d won $40,000—I couldn’t get that thought out of my mind. But she didn’t believe me since I’m always playing pranks on her,” White laughed.

It wasn’t until White showed her the ticket that the reality of his win truly set in.

What’s Next for the Lucky Winner?

White, an avid fisherman and music enthusiast, has already made plans for his winnings. He’s set to purchase a new fishing rod and a $3,000 set of speakers. As for the remainder of his $40 million, he plans to share it with family, especially his daughter, who is his only child.

“She’s going to be well taken care of,” White said, emphasizing how much his daughter means to him. “When my late wife and I had her, she was the only child we could have.”

White also hopes to take a cruise around Newfoundland, his birthplace, and is eager to donate to health-related causes close to his heart.

Living Life to the Fullest

Having dreamt of winning big money, White is now looking forward to enjoying the fruits of his hard work and sharing the wealth with his loved ones. He is particularly excited about becoming the “favourite uncle” and says his family will be his top priority.

“I plan to live life to the fullest and have fun,” White added with a smile.

Where Did White Buy His Ticket?

White purchased his winning ticket at the Shell gas station on Taunton Road East in Oshawa, Ontario.

More…

• https://globalnews.ca/news/11113601/lotto-max-jackpot-winner-february-ontario
• https://www.ctvnews.ca/toronto/article/i-wouldve-hit-the-ceiling-if-i-had-underwear-on-oshawa-ont-man-thought-he-won-40k-lotto-max-jackpot-it-was-actually-40m
• https://toronto.citynews.ca/2025/04/03/oshawa-man-wins-lotto-max-jackpot-40-million-naked