Northern Ont. man claims $500K prize with instant lotto ticket

A Haileybury man, Yvon Laramée, won $500,000 on an Instant Gold Crown ticket and Sault Ste. Marie's Reginald Francis also won $100,000 on Encore in a May draw.

A northern Ontario man is half a million dollars richer after scratching an instant lottery ticket.

Yvon Laramée of Haileybury, Ont., won big playing Instant Gold Crown (Game #2500), a $30 lottery scratch ticket with odds of winning any prize at 1 in 3.72.

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

Winner says the prize will improve his life

Laramée, a retiree, told OLG officials, while at the prize centre in Toronto, that he had to pinch himself when he realized he had won.

Laramée said he phoned his daughter to share the news and she was very happy for him.

As for specific plans for the windfall, he said he is not quite sure how he’ll enjoy it just yet.

The winning ticket was purchased at Beach Bitez on Farr Drive in Haileybury, 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.

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