Hamilton woman sold on travelling after $200,000 lottery win

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Retail worker Marsha Morash, of Hamilton, won $200,000 with The Big Win Instant game and plans to get a passport to go travelling.

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“I played my ticket at home and noticed I’d won an in-store spin,” she told OLG.

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Expecting to win no more than $20, Morash took her ticket to the store to have it validated.

“I watched the animated wheel on the lottery terminal screen land on Big Spin but I didn’t know what that meant,” she said.

“When I realized I was going to spin the real Big Spin Wheel, I was nervous, shaky and excited all at once. I never expected anything like this to happen to me.”

On the day of the live event, she felt a mix of excitement, calmness and confidence.

“I watched it land on $200,000 and was thrilled,” she said. “I would’ve been happy just spinning the wheel, but winning twice the minimum prize was amazing. It was awesome having everyone there to cheer me on as well.”

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With her winnings, Morash plans to invest in her future and treat herself to a trip.

“It’s time to get a passport and book my first flight,” she said with a smile.

Her winning ticket was purchased at Fennell Convenience on Fennell Ave. E. in Hamilton.

CAR SALESMAN’S ‘DREAM’ DESERVES ENCORE

After twenty years of playing the lottery, car salesman Bassem Afara of London, Ont., matched the last six of seven Encore numbers in exact order in the April 25 Lotto Max draw to win $100,000.

It’s the first big win for the father of two.

“I was waiting in the car for my wife when I decided to check my tickets using the OLG app,” he told OLG.

“When I scanned this one, I initially thought I’d won $1,000. I checked it a few more times and realized it was actually $100,000.

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“When my wife came out of the store, I told her about the winning ticket and showed her my phone. She was in disbelief.”

Bassem plans for now to save his winnings with the possibility of renovations in the future.

“I still can’t believe this is real; it’s still shocking to this day,” he said. “Being a winner feels like a dream.”

His winning ticket was purchased at a Petro-Canada on Wharncliffe Rd. S. in London.

BIG LOTTO PAYDAY WITHIN HER GRASP

Janice MacDonald of Oakville is celebrating after stepping inside OLG’s newest experiential lottery game, Instant Money Machine, and winning $75,000.

“I love the fun of Instant games and wanted to try something different,” she told OLG.

MacDonald was at the store when she played her ticket and it revealed a Money Machine prize. She asked the store clerk to validate her ticket and the words “Money Machine Live Event” appeared on the lottery terminal screen.

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“I didn’t know what that meant,” she told OLG.

“In the moment, I felt a little nervous and uncertain. Then an OLG representative called the store and told me that the minimum prize at a Money Machine Live Event is $25,000. I was so shocked that my jaw dropped.”

McDonald was buzzing with adrenalin on the day of the event, ready to see how many bills she could grab.

“When the bills started flying around me, I kept thinking, ‘OMG,’” she told OLG. “I could feel my excitement building and was trying to keep myself calm and grab the bills as fast as I could. They kept flying all over my face!”

With her winnings, MacDonald plans to invest in her future and treat herself to a new car.

“I can’t wait to hit the open road with the windows down, listening to my favourite songs,” she said.

The winning ticket was purchased at Joe’s Market on Kerr St. in Oakville.

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