Ticket validated

Someone has stepped forward to claim the winning ticket from last Friday’s $50-million Lotto Max draw, but Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation officials are saying little more.

“The ticket has been validated,” said OLG spokeswoman Dita Kuhtey, reached by phone on Thursday afternoon.

“That means the ticketholder knows they hold the $50-million ticket. And at this point we can’t reveal any more information. Our prize centre is just in touch with the ticketholder right now to arrange for them to come into the prize centre in Toronto to start the claims process.”

Only once the winning ticketholder has been vetted and the win confirmed can they release the winner’s name, she added.
At this point they can’t even reveal the Thunder Bay store the ticket was sold at.

“No, that’s all part of the review process, so we can’t reveal any details.”

Kuhtey said OLG officials have no idea when the claimant or claimants will make their way to Toronto to continue the process.

“We would think it would be soon, in the next couple of days,” she said. “Maybe (it will be) tomorrow, or maybe early next week.”
A media advisory will be sent out about two to three hours in advance of any planned press conference to announce the winner.