Lottery luck strikes twice in Simcoe County with two $100,000 wins

A person can be seen buying lottery tickets in this undated file photo. (CTV News)

Two Simcoe County residents are celebrating their lottery wins after each took home $100,000 in separate Lotto 6/49 draws.

Nicholas Adema had an unforgettable Christmas after winning one of 15 guaranteed $100,000 prize draws in the December 25, 2024, Lotto 6/49 Super Draw.

The 39-year-old father of two has been playing the lottery for two decades, and usually chooses Quick Pick selections, but this time luck came from a ticket his father purchased as a gift for him from The Neighbourhood Market on Yonge Street in Holland Landing.

"I was at home when I decided to check my Lotto 6/49 ticket on the OLG app,” the Innisfil man recalled. “When I saw the winning message and prize amount, I was left in disbelief. I had to scan my ticket several times to make sure I was seeing it right. I was shocked.”

The excitement quickly spread among his loved ones.

“I told some close family members, and they were all thrilled,” Adema shared. “Winning has been a surreal experience, but it feels amazing. It’s one of those things that words can’t describe.”

For now, Adema plans to set the money aside for a rainy day.

Just two weeks earlier, Gordon Wheller of Wasaga Beach struck it big in the December 11, 2024, draw by matching six of the last seven Encore numbers in exact order.

Wheller, who has played the lottery for more than 30 years, was checking his tickets at a gas station after a medical appointment when he realized he had won.

“The first two weren’t winners, but when I scanned the third one, I saw the message ‘Big Winner’ and ‘$100,000.’ I think my heart just about stopped,” he said.

The moment became even more surreal when he handed the ticket to the cashier for verification.

“I brought my ticket to the clerk and said, ‘Buddy, can you check this for me?’ We were both stunned when the lottery terminal froze,” Wheller said.

The first person he shared the news with was his sister, who was caught off guard by the unexpected news. “When I shared the good news, she began to scream into the phone,” he said.

Wheller is already making big plans for his winnings. “Winning is a pretty cool feeling,” he added. “This prize is going to be a great help. I look forward to traveling to Costa Rica, Portugal, and Thailand.”

His winning ticket was purchased at Jay’s Gas Bar and Variety on Mosley Street in the beachfront town.