Published on: April 27, 2026, 04:34h.
Updated on: April 27, 2026, 04:34h.
- Two friends from Ontario share an extraordinary $80 million lottery prize
- LOTTO MAX maximum payout raised to $90 million announced earlier in April
- The duo also won an extra prize of $400K in the same lottery draw
In addition to an incredible $80 million jackpot, two lifelong friends from Ontario also added $403,285 to their total winnings in a recent LOTTO MAX draw from late December, as revealed by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG).
$80 Million Jackpot
The full names of both winning friends, native to London, Ontario, were not disclosed by OLG. A lottery ticket purchased by Greg S. and Krys P. on December 30, 2025, at Happy Day’s Mini Mart in London, successfully matched all the numbers, resulting in the remarkable $80 million win.
Moreover, the duo had opted for the LOTTO MAX Combination Play, which earned them a second prize in the same draw, amounting to an additional $403,285.
The friends confirmed they will share their total winnings equally.
Combination Play Rewards
Having met in an English as a Second Language class decades ago, Greg and Krys have been regular lottery players who only purchase tickets during high jackpots, utilizing Quick Pick numbers alongside eight combinations.
“One-by-one I circled my numbers to see if they matched the winning numbers – until I realized that every single one matched,” Greg recounted.
Upon discovering that the ticket had matched all the winning numbers, he informed his wife of their potential win.
A Bond Formed in the ’90s
“Then I checked with the OLG app to confirm our prize, and I saw ‘Big Winner’ and the number 80, but I couldn’t grasp it at first. It was surreal! I checked again and saw the eight, followed by zeros and commas, confirming it was indeed $80 million!”
After that, he had to deliver the exciting news to his friend.
“It was morning when Greg’s wife called with the news – I had just woken up,” Krys recounted. “She asked if I had checked our ticket. After confirming with my wife, I was ecstatic and nervous at the same time.”
LOTTO MAX Prize Cap Increased to $90 Million
Krys quickly made his way to Greg’s house.
“I flew over to Greg’s to check the ticket together and congratulate him,” he remembered. “He’s the one who always took the initiative to buy our tickets.”
Recently retired after 28 years in the manufacturing industry, Greg is now exploring financial planning for this new chapter of his life. His goals include purchasing a new home, spending more quality time with family, and visiting destinations such as Australia, Japan, and New Zealand.
“It’s surreal. I’ve been playing for years but never expected anything like this,” he shared. “Once I got past the initial shock, my thoughts turned to future planning.
“This win not only secures our future but that of generations to come, all while continuing to lead simple lives and sharing our good fortune with loved ones.”
Dealing with the New Reality
Like Greg, Krys expressed intentions to buy a new home and vehicle, aiming to travel to tropical locales. He too has started seeking financial guidance.
“My life is about to change dramatically,” he stated. “After 28 years of working 12-hour shifts in a factory, we learned to live within our limits and save. I’ve dedicated my life to building a future in Canada. Now, I can allocate more time for travel and family. I’m still in disbelief – I’ve never encountered this amount of money before.
“I aim to remain grounded. I will consult my financial team and ensure everything is set for future generations.”
As previously announced, the LOTTO MAX jackpot cap has been elevated from $80 million to $90 million.