MONTRÉAL, July 23, 2026 /CNW/ -- Nine lucky winners, eight from Laval and one from the Laurentides region, split the $25,000,000 Lotto Max jackpot in the July 10 draw. The new multimillionaires, who purchased the 10 Formule groupe shares worth $2,500,000 each, got together to celebrate receiving their prize. "I was happy we won as a group. I like people, and I like it when they're happy. I don't want to be happy by myself," said one of the winners, Élie Sawan.
A video featuring interview excerpts and footage from the cheque presentation celebration is available upon request.
Nine new millionaires at the same time thanks to Lotto Max
Thierno M Sadigou Diallo
Fawzi Hanna
Loto Québec Representative and Élie Sawan
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"This Formule groupe jackpot will benefit several families, as well as the community as a whole. This is the third time in a matter of weeks that the Lotto Max jackpot has been won in Québec. Let's hope the lucky streak continues here!" says Isabelle Jean, Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer of Lottery Games at Loto-Québec.
"Paul, you've won!" The lottery group, made up of most of the same people over the years, was created at Dépanneur Saint-Maxime, inc. The retailer was thrilled to announce the news to several of the winners. "Paul, you've won!" a stunned Paul Émile Denis was told. Gabriel Aouad also discovered he'd won at the convenience store. He felt the excitement as soon as he arrived. Group members were hugging and congratulating each other as they shared their happiness.
Thierno M. Sadigou Diallo had purchased two shares of the group play, making him the twice-lucky winner of $5,000,000! He said, enthusiastically, "I thought it was amazing when I saw all those zeros!" The forty-something plans to purchase a property for his family and make some investments.
A stop that paid off Djelloul Saidi stopped in front of Dépanneur Saint-Maxime, inc., because of a mechanical issue with his car. It was his first-ever visit to that store. He took advantage of the unscheduled stop to purchase a share of the group play before going. "Funny how chance works," he said. This stop paid off, as he ended up pocketing $2,500,000! Saidi said he hadn't told his spouse the news yet. He wanted to surprise her at work with the cheque in hand.
Kamel Arezki found out he'd won when he validated his ticket at a pharmacy. When he saw the astonished look on the attendant's face, he asked, "Is there a problem?" She replied, "No, there's no problem!" The family man's plans include a trip, which will "1,000%" happen. "I haven't seen the beach in a long time," he recalled.
Dépanneur Saint-Maxime, inc. located in the Chomedey area of Laval, sold all 10 shares of the winning Lotto Max, Formule groupe ticket. It will receive a 1% commission of $250,000.
About Loto-Québec
Loto-Québec has been delivering entertainment to the people of Québec for over 55 years, and its operations benefit Québec as a whole. Last year, the corporation awarded a record $1.9 billion in prizes to winners and crowned 111 millionaires across Québec. It also paid out over 20 lifetime annuities. Major prize winners are listed on the Winners page in the Lotteries section of lotoquebec.com. Read about their dreams.
The responsible commercialization of lottery and gaming products is central to Loto-Québec's operations. The corporation has been granted the highest internationally recognized certification in responsible gaming by the World Lottery Association.
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