In a whirlwind of life-changing events, a northern Ontario couple recently welcomed a new baby into their family and simultaneously struck gold by winning the $70 million Lotto Max jackpot last month.
Kyle Murray of Iroquois Falls ventured into the world of lottery tickets for the first time, buying his inaugural ticket at the prompt of his wife, Jennifer Stuart-Flynn. According to the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG), the couple secured the enormous prize in the August 20, 2024, Lotto Max draw.
Their life had already been bustling, as they had just returned from a Toronto hospital after the birth of their baby, who came into the world following a high-risk pregnancy. While waiting at the Timmins airport to pick up his mother, who was arriving to help with the newborn, Kyle received a text message from Jennifer suggesting he purchase a Lotto Max ticket. She had seen on social media that the jackpot had reached a staggering $70 million.
The next morning, Jennifer, 33, checked the ticket with the lottery app on her phone after learning that the winning ticket was sold in their area. The familiar “Winner/Gagnant” tone left her in disbelief. She repeated the process and got the same result, confirming their newfound fortune. In a state of shock, she called out to Kyle to share the astonishing news.
Jennifer, not a regular lottery player, admitted she had bought perhaps only five or six tickets in her lifetime. Kyle, 39, felt light-headed upon seeing the notification confirming their $70 million win.
Jennifer reflected on the past few months, expressing gratitude for the recent positive turn of events. From giving birth to their newborn, Kyle receiving a job promotion, and now the lottery win, everything seemed to be falling into place.
To mark the joyous occasion, the family took their kids and Kyle’s mother out for a celebration meal at a local restaurant. Despite their elation, they made a concerted effort to keep their monumental win under wraps to avoid quickly spreading the news in their small town.
When the couple arrived at the Toronto prize center to collect their winnings, Kyle recounted the challenges their family had faced over recent years, emphasizing their constant efforts to improve life for their children.
Jennifer became emotional, realizing the profound change this win would bring to their children’s lives, ensuring a secure and carefree future. Among the couple’s plans for their newfound wealth, Jennifer expressed her desire to buy her sister a house, citing her deep love and admiration for her.
Meanwhile, Kyle harbored dreams of purchasing land to build a “little farm.” He had bought the winning ticket from the Esso gas station on Algonquin Boulevard in Timmins.
As per OLG spokesperson Tony Bitonti, the retailer who sold the ticket would receive a modest commission bump, acknowledging their role in the big win. This marked the sixth consecutive jackpot win in Ontario for the year.
In response to the recent flurry of wins, the OLG decided to increase the Lotto Max jackpot to $80 million, with the most recent unparalleled $75 million jackpot roll-over setting the stage for a potentially record-breaking draw on Tuesday.
