Innisfil man turns $1 lottery ticket into his biggest win

James Stergios, of Innisfil, Ont., split the $250,000 Lottario jackpot with a second ticket winner to take home $125,000 in the on Aug. 31, 2024 draw. (Source: OLG)

An Innisfil man was stopped in his tracks when the Lottario ticket he purchased for $1 turned into a six-digit win.

James Stergios split the $250,000 jackpot in the August 31 draw with a second ticket winner to take home $125,000.

Stergios said he's been trying his luck with the lottery for 45 years, and this was his first big win, but when he checked his ticket using the OLG app, he was underwhelmed at first glance.

"I thought the message said I had won $1.25," he recalled.

Stergios said when he realized he had actually won $125,000, he was "pleasantly surprised."

"The feeling was different from anything I had ever experienced before," he said.

The winning ticket was purchased at Gateway Casinos in Innisfil.

Lottario draws take place every Saturday.