Guelph group wins $2 million lottery prize

San Do, Duc Tu, Gizel Gonzalex, Ha Viet Pham, Thanh Nguyen and Tuyet Ly pick up their $2 million Ontario 49 winnings. (Source: OLG)

Six coworkers have won big with Ontario 49.

The Guelph group claimed the top prize of $2 million in the Aug. 30 lottery draw.

San Do, Duc Tu, Gizel Gonzalex, Ha Viet Pham, Thanh Nguyen and Tuyet Ly work together in the automotive industry.

“At first, I thought we won $2,000,” San told the OLG while picking up their winnings in Toronto. “After taking a closer look, I realized it was $2 million! I was shaking with excitement. I knew I wasn’t going to be able to sleep, so I started calling my group members!”

They were also skeptical.

“I didn’t believe it until we all went to check the ticket together,” said Ha.

“We hugged and celebrated together,” added Tuyet. “I once had a dream where I matched six numbers and won the lottery. Now that dream has come true!”

The coworkers also shared their plans for their winnings.

San told the OLG he wanted to invest his portion of the prize, as well as buying a new car. Duc said he was going to take his wife on vacation. Gizel wanted to pay off her car and save for retirement, while Ha was planning to pay off some bills and share his winnings with his son. Thanh said she wanted to pay off her bills and her daughter’s education expenses, and buy a Ford Raptor, which she called her dream car. Tuyet, meanwhile, planned to retire early.

The coworkers have played the lottery as a group since 2018 and purchased the winning ticket at the Shell on Speedvale Avenue West in Guelph.