North Bay man wins Lotto 6/49 second prize
Brian Esch of North Bay won Lotto 6-49 second prize (Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation)
A great grandfather from North Bay has won his biggest prize to date after playing numbers based on of significant family events for more than 30 years.
Brian Esch won $52,638.50 as the second prize in the Dec. 23, 2023, Lotto 6/49 draw, Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation said in a news release Thursday.
It is not his first prize: in 1980 he won $1,000 playing Wintario.
Because he played familiar numbers, he said he recognized the winning ones immediately when checking his ticket online.
"I was shocked! It was unbelievable," he is quoted as telling OLG staff at the Toronto prize centre.
"I was just thinking I should stop playing these numbers because they never come up."
When he called to share his big news with his family, he said everyone was excited and his kids asked if they could retire.
Esch said he plans to share his win with his children and is considering purchasing a vehicle.
The winning ticket was purchased at Shoppers Drug Mart on Cassells Street in North Bay.
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