Life changing lottery prize worth $1 million won by a Whitefish man

A Whitefish man is $1 million richer, thanks to Lotto 6/49. Rene Gauthier matched all seven Encore numbers in the exact order on March 25, 2023, Lotto 6/49 draw for the big win.

Gauthier is a father, grandfather, and great-grandfather and has been a regular player for 40 years.

He typically plays Lotto Max and Lotto 6/49, always adding Encore. T

his is his first big win.

“I still can’t believe I won a million dollars,” he said in a release from the OLG.

“I hope my heart can handle it. I am going to die a happy man,” he said with a laugh.

The retiree was at home when he learned he had won. He called the OLG to win line to check the winning numbers and was shocked when he heard all the Encore numbers matched. Gauthier called his daughter to share the good news.

“She almost passed out,” he said. “She was driving and had to pull over.” Though he is unsure how he will spend his winnings, he plans to have some fun figuring it out.

The winning ticket was purchased at Shoppers Drug Mart on Long Lake Road in Sudbury. Encore offers 22 ways to win and can be played in conjunction with most lottery games for an extra $1.

There is an Encore draw every day.