TORONTO — For the second time this month, OLG has awarded a huge Lotto Max lottery prize.
Adrian Olmstead, a 44-year-old man from Blenheim, near Chatham, has cashed in a ticket worth $70 million.
It was drawn more than five months ago, in the April 14 Lotto Max draw.
The stay-at-home father of two said he "took a bit of time" coming forward to claim the prize because he wanted to ensure he had the best advice on how to handle the money, and how it would impact his family's lives.
"My priority is that we live a good life, but I want to raise my children to know the value of a dollar, understand the meaning of hard work, and to teach them how to provide for themselves when they are adults," Olmstead said.
He does plan to buy a new house "with lots of land," an RV so the family can travel across Canada, and "a fast car" as a treat for himself.
Olmstead said when he went to the local grocery store he used the automated ticket checker to scan four tickets.
The first three gave him just one free play, but the last ticket came up "Big Winner" along with what he initially thought was a flashing $70,000.
"I checked it a few more times and was stunned to realize it was $70 million," Olmstead recalled.
Going to the parking lot, he got into his truck and phoned his mother, then started crying.
She was worried at first, until he was able to explain that he was shedding were tears of joy.
Earlier this month, a 67-year-old Hearst resident claimed a $65 million Lotto Max prize.
