A tight-knit group of 19 close family members and friends, who have been playing the Lotto 6/49 together for three decades, struck gold in the latest draw on December 3, scooping up a hefty $5 million jackpot just in time for the holiday season, announced Loto-Québec in an official statement.
Expressing his joy at the collective win, group leader Jean-Guy Lavoie shared, “I am overjoyed to be able to share this incredible prize with our group rather than winning it solo.” The winning ticket was purchased by Lavoie at a local Couche-Tard store in Baie-Comeau.
The group has faithfully stuck to the same set of numbers in their Lotto 6/49 plays over the course of their thirty-year journey. The moment of realization hit when Lavoie’s partner, Marie-Christine Jean, spotted their numbers on the TV broadcast. “Those are our numbers!” she exclaimed, leading to a jubilant confirmation using the Loto-Québec mobile app.
The unexpected windfall also came as a delightful shock to Lavoie’s children, who were included in the winning group without their prior knowledge.
Echoing the sentiment of shared joy, Isabelle Jean, Loto-Québec’s executive vice president, remarked, “This year, the Lotto 6/49 Classic Jackpot has been won 10 times in Québec. It’s heartwarming to witness families and friends celebrating a jackpot win as we near the end of the year.”
Looking ahead, the fortunate winners have exciting plans to pamper themselves with holiday gifts and make smart investment choices.
In a related development, Loto-Québec revealed that another $5 million Classic Jackpot ticket, sold in Laval on December 13, remains unclaimed. Ticket holders are urged to verify their numbers for a shot at claiming the prize.
