Filipino immigrant wins Canada’s largest-ever lottery jackpot

Justin Simporios, a Filipino immigrant in British Columbia has won the largest individual lottery prize in Canadian history, claiming the entire $80 million Canadian dollars ($57 million) Lotto Max jackpot from the May 9 draw. The 35-year-old resident of Surrey became an instant multi-millionaire after purchasing a Quick Pick ticket at a Walmart in Central Surrey while shopping for hamburger ingredients.

Simporios said he usually buys tickets only when the jackpot exceeds $40 million Canadian dollars. On the night of the draw, he checked the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) website and saw that the winning ticket had been sold in Surrey.

After comparing his numbers under a flashlight while his daughter slept, he realized he had matched all seven. He immediately woke his wife to share the life-changing news.

The BCLC confirmed Simporios was the sole winner of the May 9 draw. The winning numbers were 06, 10, 16, 17, 30, 38 and 48. The prize marks the largest individual lottery payout in Canadian history.

Simporios, who has lived in Surrey for four years, resigned from his job at a logistics company before the win was publicly announced. He plans to use his newfound wealth to buy a home, help his mother retire early, pay off his sister’s medical school debt and support local charities.

“I’m an immigrant. I came from a poor country. Like, this money’s a lot, right? I’ve been struggling. I’m a father. I work full time,” Simporios said.

“This is so much money for us … I really want to give back to the community as much as I can,” he added.

He also hopes to take his family on a long-awaited visit to the Philippines and fulfill a personal dream of watching Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James play in person.