30 years of buying lottery tickets finally pays off for Quebec group

This group of Quebec residents have won $5 million in the Lotto 6/49 Classic Jackpot. (Source: Loto-Québec)

A group of Quebecers that has been picking the same combination of numbers after forming their lottery group more than 30 years ago is unwrapping an early present this holiday season.

Loto-Québec says 19 relatives and their friends won the Lotto 6/49 $5 million Classic Jackpot in the Dec. 3 draw. Most of the winners are from the Côte-Nord and Bas-Saint-Laurent regions.

“I’m happier sharing the prize with the group than I would’ve been had I won it alone,” said the group leader, Jean-Guy Lavoie, who bought the winning ticket at a Couche-Tard in Baie-Comeau, Que.

His spouse, Marie-Christine Jean, first saw the draw results on TV and said, “It looks like our numbers!” before urging Lavoie to put on his glasses. After verifying the numbers, they told the rest of the gang they were going to split the winnings.

If split equally, each person is looking at pocketing about $263,000.

The winners plan to use their newfound fortune on renovations, vehicle purchases, and investments, Loto-Québec says.

“However, they said that their biggest wish was to spend time with family during the holidays,” it says.

Lavoie added that it was “the perfect time to win the lottery!”

The Crown corporation says there is another lucky winner who has won the $5 million Classic Jackpot in the Laval region and needs to claim their prize. Players in the area are being urged to check their tickets.