SYDNEY (N.S.) – Marie McCarthy of New Waterford, N.S. is the long-anticipated winner of a $31-million Lotto Max jackpot, thanks to a ticket given to her as a birthday gift by her grandson Jeff.

Cape Breton residents have been abuzz since news of a local winner on the Jan. 31, 2023 draw, eager to learn who would be awarded the largest lottery prize ever in Nova Scotia and in the Maritimes.

McCarthy said she was in total disbelief when they checked the numbers and reality only started to sink in once she called Atlantic Lottery to validate the ticket.

“Jeff checked the ticket and he hollered down, ‘You got all the numbers,’ and I said, ‘Yeah, right,’” McCarthy said. “He came running down the stairs with his phone out checking it and kept saying I had all the numbers.”

Lotto Max draws take place every Tuesday and Friday. Jackpots start at $10 million and grow up to $70 million or until won. The largest prize ever won in Atlantic Canada was $60 million in Newfoundland and Labrador in February 2018.

“It doesn’t seem real,” McCarthy said. “I never really thought about a bucket list or anything before because I never figured I’d have the money to do anything on it.”

However, McCarthy said she will treat herself to a new-to-her vintage Cadillac. She also plans to share a lot of the prize money with her loved ones, help her immediate family, brothers and sisters, and pay off the mortgages of all her nieces and nephews.

While not a regular player, McCarthy said she often purchases lottery tickets as gifts for special occasions and that she will certainly continue to do so after her big birthday win.

The winning Lotto Max ticket was purchased at Needs Convenience on Emerald Street in New Waterford, N.S. The retailer will receive a one per seller’s prize.
 

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Media contact:
Lindsay Meekins
Atlantic Lottery Public Relations Strategist
(506) 431-6466
lindsay.meekins@alc.ca

Backgrounder: About Lotto Max

• Lotto Max draws take place every Tuesday and Friday. Jackpots start at $10 million and grow up to $70 million or until won. In addition to the main jackpot, there is a chance to win with Maxmillions. Maxmillions are additional $1-million prizes that are drawn when the Lotto Max jackpot reaches $50 million.
  
  
• Players can add TAG and Twist to their Lotto Max tickets for an additional $1 each. Both are games available only in Atlantic Canada with a top-prize of $100,000.
  
  
• For the month of March, the Triple Twist Days promotion applies a 3-times multiplier to all Twist prizes drawn, meaning players could win up to $300,000 on the game.