Quebecers cheer for a record $75 million jackpot

Canada's record $75 million Lotto Max jackpot sparked real excitement on Friday among many Quebecers who rushed to grab a ticket, praying that Friday the 13th would bring them luck.

“In less than 10 minutes, I sold six tickets,” said Badis Mihouby, a customer clerk at the Ultramar convenience store on Boulevard de Maisonneuve on Friday afternoon.

At the same time, he offered the customer a ticket for $5: “No thanks, I already have one. We hope so, eh! ” started it by paying for her purchases.

Badis Mihouby is a customer service clerk at an Ultramar convenience store.

Erica Aubin / JDM

“Not only are more people buying them, they're also taking multiple entries, multiple numbers to have a greater chance of winning,” Mr Mihouby said.

No wonder Quebecers are so excited: The Lotto Max jackpot has reached $75 million, a record sum for a pan-Canadian lottery, it said. Newspaper Renaud Dugas, representative at Loto-Québec.

“We're really excited [chez les détaillants]. We also see a lot of people who don't normally buy the lottery, just trying their luck. Many groups are forming, for example among family or colleagues,” he added.

Lucky day?

Many superstitions especially hope that Friday the 13th will bring them good luck. This was the case of Didier Eme, who left Ultramar with a smile on her face with several tickets in hand.

The same goes for Claudette Lafreniere, who dreams of becoming a millionaire thanks to this drawing: “At my age, $1 million is enough to spoil me,” she carefully held a group ticket shared among 75 strangers.

Claudette Lafreniere bought her ticket at Depanneur Dany in Le Village.

Erica Aubin / JDM

Danny Lu, owner of a convenience store in the Village, wants the winning ticket purchased at his business. “With the commission, I can retire. Or buy all the consignment shops on the street,” he said with a big smile.

Danny Lou is the owner of Depanneur Danny on Avenue de Maisonneuve in the Village.

Erica Aubin / JDM

Employees of the Lotto-Québec kiosk at Complexe Desjardins were not idle for a second in the early evening. Many Montrealers line up to get a ticket in hopes of winning the jackpot or 12 of the Max Millions. Moreover, with these smaller prizes, the prize pool at stake is a total of $87 million.

to travel

In line, Ivana Radicevic thought for a long time before saying how she would spoil herself with this money: “I'll travel a bit,” replied the man who likes to visit a country specifically for its history. I also visit family in Europe.

A line of customers at the Lotto-Québec kiosk in Complexe Desjardins.

Erica Aubin / JDM

“I pay for children's education, donate to organizations…you have to share,” she later rationalized.

If the jackpot is not won during Friday's drawing at 10:30 p.m., it will reach $80 million by next Tuesday. This is the new maximum amount the jackpot can reach for this lottery.

Did you win one of the prizes? Write to me at [email protected].