TORONTO, March 1, 2012 /CNW/ - Rene and Suzanne Longpre of Limoges, a small town located outside of Ottawa, were on an uneventful shopping trip to Walmart when they found that they held the winning ticket for the LOTTO 6/49 February 25, 2012 draw. Today, the couple was presented with a cheque for $11.5 million at the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto.
"What an exciting time for the Ottawa-region. Just one day after presenting a Hawkesbury couple with a $50 million LOTTO MAX prize, we are so happy to celebrate with Rene and Suzanne on their LOTTO 6/49 win," said Greg McKenzie, OLG's Senior Vice President of Lottery as he handed the $11.5 million cheque to the couple.
Rene, 68, and Suzanne, 65, are regular lottery players and have played the same numbers, based on the birthdays of their grandchildren, for over seven years. But it was lucky mistake that won them the jackpot.
"When I was buying my tickets for that draw I had left my special numbers at home - so I just got Quick Pick numbers. Good thing I did - those numbers won us the jackpot!" laughed Rene.
The long-time residents of Limoges did not check their tickets right away following the draw. And while they saw the news that the winning ticket was purchased in the Ottawa-region, they never thought that they might hold the winning ticket.
"I was browsing in the shoe section at Walmart when Rene found me to show me the ticket with all the zeros. I left my full shopping cart right there in the middle of the aisle, "said Suzanne. "I was in such shock - we needed to go home right away to absorb the big news!"
The retired couple, who have two adult children, plan to set up trust funds for their three grandchildren, buy new homes for their sons and travel the world.
"It was always a dream of mine to visit Hawaii," said Suzanne. "Now it looks like that dream will come true - and just in time for our 45th wedding anniversary which we will be celebrating this year."
The winning ticket was purchased at Ultramar on Limoges Road in Limoges.
Since LOTTO 6/49 was launched in June 1982, Ontario players have won more than $9.6 billion in prizes, including 1,224 jackpot wins. As of January 31, 2012, there have been 2,924 LOTTO 6/49 draws. For more information, please visit your local retailer or check online at www.olg.ca and click on Lotteries.
OLG is a provincial agency responsible for province-wide lottery games and gaming facilities. Since 1975, OLG lotteries, Casinos, Slots, and Resort Casinos have generated more than $34 billion for the benefit of the Province of Ontario. Gaming proceeds support Ontario's hospitals, amateur sport, recreational and cultural activities, communities, provincial priority programs such as health care and education, and local and provincial charities and non-profit organizations through the Ontario Trillium Foundation.
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Image with caption: "Senior Vice President of Lottery at OLG Greg McKenzie, left, presents Rene and Suzanne Longpre of Limoges with a cheque for $11.5 million at the OLG Prize Centre Thursday. The couple won the LOTTO 6/49 jackpot prize after purchasing a ticket for the February 25, 2012 draw. (CNW Group/OLG Winners)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120301_C9040_PHOTO_EN_10668.jpg
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OLG is a crown agency that develops world-class gaming entertainment for the Province of Ontario. Acting in a socially responsible way, OLG conducts and manages land-based gaming facilities; the sale of province-wide lottery games; Internet gaming; and the delivery of bingo...
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