‘Somebody has to have this ticket’: Cape Bretoners wait for $1M lotto winner to come forward

The search is on for an unclaimed lottery ticket in Cape Breton.

Someone in Cape Breton is about to become a million dollars richer and those in the area are looking forward to finding out who the lucky winner is.

Over the weekend, Atlantic Lottery announced a Lotto 6/49 ticket that’s a Gold Ball guaranteed prize winner of $1 million had been sold somewhere in Inverness County, N.S.

The mystery surrounding the winning ticket is a big topic of conversation in several rural communities throughout the county.

“People are super excited,” said Ryan MacDonald, a radio host with CBFM – an online radio station based in Mabou. “Somebody is a millionaire here in Inverness County, and how cool would it be for somebody to win that money?”

The Inverness area is no stranger to big jackpots. About 10 years ago, thousands of people flocked to the community each weekend to “Chace the Ace” during the summer and fall of 2015.

When the ace was finally drawn, Donelda MacAskill of Englishtown went home with nearly $1.8 million.

Now, someone else could become an instant millionaire.

“It’s really exciting to think somebody could be a big winner again, here in Inverness,” said Cameron MacQuarrie, one of the organizers of the 2015 “Chase The Ace” draw. “And now, especially when there’s so much on the line with a winner from Inverness County. We’re all just hoping it’s going to be close to home.”

Atlantic Lottery confirmed Tuesday the winning prize still has yet to be claimed.

“The family group chats are going,” MacDonald said. “Everyone is just communicating with one another, like, somebody has to have this ticket.” 

As far as what MacDonald and MacQuarrie would do with the money, the options are endless.

“I would probably travel the world,” MacDonald said. “I love travelling. I just came home from a cruise. I would probably go on a year-long cruise.”

“I can’t retire anymore, because I already am (retired),” MacQuarrie said. “So, I think maybe I would do something like find a nice place to go and visit and maybe give away some of that money.”

As for who Cape Breton’s newest millionaire is, Atlantic Lottery says that information will be announced once the winner comes forward.

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