An Ontario couple waiting to claim a $50-million lottery prize says they're confident they'll be able to collect their money despite an investigation into their winnings.
The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Commission (OLG) probe is routine procedure when lottery retailers win prizes. Prior to winning the Dec. 30 draw, the Champagnes owned a convenience store, Jo's Depanneur, which they sold in October. Jo-Ann continued to work at the Hawkesbury, Ont. store following the sale.
Under the "No Play at Work" policy, OLG retailers can not buy, check or redeem their tickets at their place of employment. Jo-Ann, 49, and Gaetan, 51, bought the ticket at the Hawkesbury Pharma Prix.
They say they'd rather wait to collect than face accusations they did anything untoward, adding they know they did everything by the book.
"When we won the ticket, we knew, ‘Oh boy, are they going to be looking into us,'" Jo-Ann told CTV's Canada AM on Thursday. "We have no problem with it."
The prize will be reviewed separately by OLG and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario.
"The claimants… have each been employed as lottery retailers within the past year, their prize claim is subject to OLG's Insider Wins process," said a statement issued by the agency. "The payment of prizes to Insiders is held for 30 days to allow anyone with concerns regarding the prize to come forward."
The Champagnes had played the same lottery numbers for more than two decades, without much luck. They checked their ticket while driving to Ottawa on New Year's Eve and at first glance, thought they had won $50,000.
"That (was) good enough for me, but… I (checked it) again and said, ‘Oh my god, those are zeros," Jo-Ann said, who said she hugged a stranger in the store after discovering her mistake. "I think I did a dance.
"The shock is wearing off now. We're getting used to the idea. It's incredible; it's going to be life-changing."
The couple plans to give money to their family and buy some new things, but also are looking to support their local food bank and hospital.
"Mainly, we're going to focus on giving back to our little town," said Jo-Ann.
Hawkesbury is about 100 kilometres east of Ottawa.
