Sept. 29 (UPI) — An Ontario, Canada, man who stuck with his favorite lottery game after winning a $78,314 prize found his persistence paid off when he collected a $783,140 jackpot.
Leo Malette, 76, of Sturgeon Falls, told Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. officials he always adds the Encore to his Daily Grand drawing tickets, and his purchase for the Aug. 26 drawing was no different.
The ticket he purchased from the Metro grocery store in Sturgeon Falls matched all seven Encore numbers in the exact order, earning him the $783,140 jackpot.
“I didn’t believe it was real,” Malette said. “I waited about an hour for my wife to wake up so I could tell her the good news. I started calling the kids, and they were so shocked and happy for us!”
Malette previously collected a $78,314 Encore prize a few years ago.
He said his latest winnings will pay for his new car and allow him to share with his children and grandchildren.
“This is a family win. My family is my whole world,” he said.