Vancouver Islanders to share Lotto 6/49 jackpot

November 3, 2009, Richmond, B.C. – A pair of friends from Vancouver Island were surprised to learn they had won a $1.6 million Lotto 6/49 jackpot.

Today, Cornelius "Corny" O'Connell of Victoria and Georgina Martin of Nanaimo, who have been playing the lottery together for 24 years, flew to BCLC's Richmond office to collect their prize. The two 61-year-olds found out just yesterday they had matched 6/6 numbers to split the October 14, 2009 jackpot with another winning ticket holder in Ontario.

Corny called to tell me we had won, and at first I didnt believe him, said Martin.

We buy ten draws at a time and every five weeks I go check the ticket, said O'Connell. So, when I went to check it yesterday I had no idea there had even been a winning ticket sold in Victoria, let alone that I had purchased it. It was quite a shock.

Martin plans to invest her share, while O'Connell is considering a vacation.

The pairs winning Combo ticket was purchased at Regal News on Fort Street in Victoria.

Lotto 6/49 is the nationwide lottery game drawn on Wednesdays and Saturdays after 6 p.m. (PT). Players can purchase tickets at any lottery retailer or at PlayNow.com.

Listen to Georgina Martin's reaction [414KB]
Listen to Cornelius "Corny" O'Connell's plans [134KB]

For more information please contact:
Trevor Miller
Communications Officer
Tel: 604.247.3013
Email: tmiller@bclc.com

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