Quick Read
- A single $80-million Lotto Max ticket was sold in London, Ontario—the largest jackpot in provincial history.
- The winner has one year to claim the prize, and their identity will be revealed after verification.
- Seven $1-million Maxmillions tickets and several other large prizes were also won across Ontario in the same draw.
On a chilly January evening in London, Ontario, one lucky ticket holder became the talk of the nation. The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) confirmed that a single $80-million Lotto Max ticket, the largest lottery jackpot in the province’s history, was sold in the city during Tuesday night’s draw. As Londoners awoke to the news, speculation and excitement rippled through the community—who was the winner, and how would their life change overnight?
The $80-million prize is more than just a number; it’s a record-setting milestone. According to The London Free Press, this is the first time Ontario has seen such a staggering jackpot claimed by a single ticket. Prior to this, the largest win in the province belonged to a Kingston man, who took home $75 million in October 2024. This London victory not only breaks records but also places the city firmly in the spotlight of national headlines.
OLG spokesperson Tony Bitonti told reporters, “Last year there were a lot of million-dollar winners in London, but nothing bigger than this. This is, for sure, the biggest lottery jackpot prize won in the London area.” The winner—who could be an individual or a group—has one year from the draw date to claim their windfall. But for now, the identity of the lucky ticket holder remains a mystery. OLG does not immediately disclose when or where the winning ticket was purchased, focusing instead on verifying the claim and ensuring the process is secure. Winners are later publicly identified, adding another layer of anticipation to the unfolding story.
The winning numbers—05, 21, 32, 38, 43, 44, 45, and bonus 49—were announced after several weeks of rollovers, with players across the province holding their breath. According to Toronto Sun, it’s only the second time a single ticket has scooped the $80-million Lotto Max jackpot since the cap was raised in March 2024. The first was in British Columbia, just months earlier.
But the big jackpot wasn’t the only reason for celebration. The same draw saw a cascade of other winners thanks to the Maxmillions and Encore prizes. Seven Maxmillions tickets, each worth $1 million, were sold in Ontario, with lucky winners in Toronto, Hamilton, Barrie, Thornhill, Prince Edward County/Hastings, and the Niagara region. Two more Maxmillions tickets split $500,000 prizes in Vaughan, Windsor, York Region, and via OLG.ca. Ajax and York Region celebrated wins of $333,333.40 each, their prizes shared three ways with another winner in Western Canada. Encore tickets added to the excitement, with one $1 million winner in Ajax and three $100,000 winners in Durham Region, Grey County, and Welland, as reported by The Star.
For London, the $80-million win is a seismic event, eclipsing previous local successes. In 2022, Jeffrey McNally of London won $11.2 million in a Lotto 6/49 draw, expressing disbelief and gratitude. Four years before, Dianne and Clinton Eeley from Granton celebrated their $9.6 million win, only checking their ticket a week after the draw. Both stories pale beside the sheer scale of the current jackpot, and the city waits with bated breath for the winner to step forward.
Claiming such a massive prize is not as simple as presenting a ticket. OLG’s claim verification process is rigorous. Winners are advised to keep their ticket safe and sign it before starting the claim. When the ticket is scanned at a lottery terminal, a “big win freeze” is triggered, locking the machine and alerting OLG to the potential jackpot claim. The corporation then tracks where the ticket was redeemed and commences detailed verification with the winner to prevent fraud and ensure the process is transparent.
Lottery wins have a ripple effect, not just for individuals but for communities. The anticipation, the hope, and the buzz foster a sense of shared excitement—everyone wonders, could it be someone they know, a neighbor, a friend, or perhaps even themselves? This jackpot, the largest in Ontario’s history, is a moment that many will remember, whether or not their own ticket was a winner.
As the new year begins, the London winner faces a future brimming with possibilities and decisions. Will they choose privacy or step into the public eye? How might their life—and perhaps the city itself—change with this windfall? For now, the mystery remains, but the impact of the win is already being felt across Ontario. With more millionaires minted in one draw than most cities see in a decade, this Lotto Max event is a testament to both luck and the enduring allure of a simple ticket.
While lottery wins can be life-changing, the story of London’s $80-million jackpot reminds us of the power of hope and chance. The facts show that, even in a world of odds, sometimes the extraordinary happens—leaving communities abuzz and individuals pondering what they’d do with a sudden fortune. As Ontario celebrates its biggest win yet, the anticipation of the reveal is a shared experience, connecting people through dreams and possibility.