The holidays are about to be extra special for one family after a Canadian woman won a six-figure lottery prize.

Man Thi Le is a makeup artist who lives in Kleinburg, Ontario. She enjoys playing the lottery and often buys tickets for Lotto Max and Lotto 6/49 online at OLG.ca. However, rather than choosing her own numbers, Le prefers using OLG’s Quick Pick feature to make her selections.

While checking her email one day, she noticed an unusual one from OLG notifying her that she had won the lottery. However, Le reacted the same way most of us probably would: she initially thought it was a scam.

“I received the email and was leery of its authenticity,” she recalled.

Fortunately, it wasn’t a scam. Le had matched the last six of seven Encore numbers in the exact order in the September 17, 2024, Lotto Max draw to win $100,000. According to OLG, Le was one of three people who won the same prize after they matched the Encore second prize-winning number 180057.

Makeup artist Man Thi Le of Kleinburg, Ontario, is now $100,000 richer (OLG)

“I kept the news to myself until I was sure I had actually won,” she said.

But the reality of her big win didn’t sink in until she showed up at the OLG Prize Centre in downtown Toronto to pick up her big cheque.

“Now I believe it!” she said with a smile.

When asked what she plans to do with her windfall, the mother of one said she’ll use some of her winnings to ensure her family has “a wonderful Christmas” this year.

All forms of gambling, including the lottery, involve risk and outcomes are based on chance. Individuals are strongly advised to gamble responsibly. If you are experiencing any signs of gambling-related issues, you can find resources here.

Winning Big in Ontario

Ontario isn’t a stranger to lottery wins. In October, a Stoney Creek man also walked away with a $100,000 lottery prize. Steven Zvonar, a resident of Stoney Creek, matched the last six of seven Encore numbers in exact order to win $100,000 in the October 8 Lotto Max draw. Zvonar, a regular Lotto Max player, had decided to add Encore to his ticket for an extra $1. This decision, however, proved to be a lucrative one, earning him his first major lottery prize.

Zvonar’s winning ticket was purchased at a Fortinos grocery store on Guelph Line in Burlington, Ontario. After scanning the ticket, Zvonar saw the “Big Winner” message, which prompted him to validate it at the retailer. He then shared the good news with his wife. Zvonar’s reaction to his win was quite different than Le’s. While Le initially doubted the authenticity of her email notification, Zvonar remained calm when he saw the winning message. “Winning is a good feeling,” he added. “I’ll take some time before I decide what comes next.”

More Than One Winner

In the same week as Le’s win, another Ontario resident claimed a $100,000 Encore prize. This time, the winner was Mckalester Gale, a resident of Penetanguishene. Similar to Le and Zvonar, Gale matched the last six of seven Encore numbers in exact order, winning $100,000 in the October 8 Lotto Max draw. Gale, a regular lottery player who prefers using the Quick Pick feature, had initially been skeptical of his win. “While out and about, I scanned my ticket using the OLG app,” Gale said in a press release. “I had to scan it a few times to confirm what I was seeing. I shared the good news with my wife, and she was very happy for me.”

Gale purchased his winning ticket at The Corner Market on Mosley Street in Wasaga Beach. He plans to take some time before deciding how to spend his windfall.

Encore: More Than One Way to Win

Encore is a popular lottery game that offers 22 ways to win. It is available with most lottery games for just $1. For those unfamiliar with the game, it features two draws every day.

While Le’s win highlights the excitement and potential rewards of playing the lottery, it’s important to remember that all forms of gambling, including the lottery, involve risk, and outcomes are based on chance. Always gamble responsibly, and if you are experiencing any gambling-related issues, seek help and support from the resources available to you.

Winning is the Only Option

Le’s win, just like those of Zvonar and Gale, demonstrates that sometimes, luck does strike. It’s a reminder that even in the face of initial skepticism, dreams can come true. For some, it’s a life-changing event, while for others, it’s a chance to celebrate and share their good fortune with loved ones. Whatever their plans, these lottery winners have shown that even the smallest chances can lead to the biggest wins.