Northern Ont. man claims $350K prize with instant lotto ticket

Elliot Lake’s Melvin Heath has won $350,000 on a Big Spin instant lotto ticket, while Sudbury’s Marcel Leclaire won $3 million.

A northern Ontario man is celebrating a ‘big’ lottery win after scoring a $350,000 prize with an instant game ticket.

Melvin Harry Heath of Elliot Lake, Ont., struck it rich playing The Big Spin (Game #3114), a $5 lottery scratch ticket with odds of winning any prize at 1 in 3.73.

The Big Spin game combines popular scratch play with prizes revealed in-store by an animated spinning wheel on the lottery terminal screen and potentially, a chance at an in-person spin on The Big Spin Wheel at the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto, Ont., for up to $500,000

More details about the game can be found on the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation’s website.

Heath, a retired construction worker, told OLG officials while at the prize centre that he has been playing lottery tickets weekly for the last 10 years.

“I usually pick up my takeout dinner and then stop at the store to purchase a few tickets. I like to play them after I eat,” he said in a news release.

After scratching his ticket and realizing he has revealed a ‘spin’ prize, Heath decided to go back to the store.

“I headed there and handed my ticket to the clerk for validation, but I couldn’t watch the animation on the lottery terminal – I was just too excited,” he said.

“I could tell it was a big win just by the clerk’s reaction.”

Health said he spent the next few days in disbelief, wondering if his win was real.

“The first person I revealed the news to was my brother,” said Health.

“I’m so nervous and excited today – I’m shaking,” Health said just before his in-person spin.

“I couldn’t watch it,” he said.

“When it stopped and I heard them announce the prize amount of $350,000, I couldn’t believe what I was hearing,” Health added.

The retiree said he plans to use the windfall to treat himself to a new car.

“I’ve never owned a brand-new car before,” Health said.

“You won’t see me walking up and down the hills of Elliot Lake anymore,” he added, laughing.

Health said he also plans to share a portion of his winnings with his siblings.

“We’ve always been close, and I want to share this with them. I’ll also celebrate with a trip to visit my mom,” he said.

The winning ticket was purchased at Canadian Tire Gas+ on Hillside Drive South in Elliot Lake, OLG confirmed.

Play responsibly

“OLG supports safe play and wants to keep the fun in the game,” said OLG on its website.

“That’s why OLG is proud to be a leader in promoting responsible gambling with our globally recognized Playsmart program.”

Playsmart offers information on gambling games.

If you or someone you know is struggling with a problem, help is available.