‘Mom, I think I won $1 million’: Etobicoke man wins big off Encore

Emanuel C. of Etobicoke is seen in this undated image. (OLG)

Life is sweet for a 61-year-old pastry chef from Etobicoke who recently won $1 million through Encore, a $1 add-on game offered by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG).

Emanuel C., who says he plays the lottery regularly with his mother, was sitting at the kitchen table checking their numbers together when he made the discovery.

“Mom, I think I won $1 million,” he remembers saying.

Emanuel then pulled out his phone with shaky hands to scan the ticket on the OLG app and confirm the windfall.

“When I told my brother, we were crying and laughing at the same time. He was so happy for me!” he said in a news release.

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Emanuel said he plans to share the winnings with his brother, travel to Newfoundland and Labrador, and save for retirement.

Encore is a game lottery players can add on to most games for an extra $1. Emanuel matched all seven Encore numbers in exact order following the March 11 Ontario 49 draw.

OLG said the winning ticket was purchased at a Shoppers Drug Mart on Burnhamthorpe Road in Etobicoke.