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$1-million winner in Red Deer

Ticket purchased nine months ago
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Ryan Stacey, of Red Deer, is a $1-million MAXMILLIONS prize winner.

Ryan Stacey was surprised this month to learn that he was a $1-million winner — on a lottery ticket purchased nine months ago.

The Red Deer man, who plays LOTTO MAX every week, said he doesn’t check his tickets often and had several to check in mid-December.

“I went to the store with a bunch of tickets. I’d scan a few at a time on the ticket checker and give the winning ones to the clerk to cash,” said Stacey in a press release from Western Canada Lottery Corporation on Friday.

“When I scanned this ticket and saw all the zeros, I stopped what I was doing and gave it to the clerk.”

At first, Stacey thought he won $100,000.

“I thought, ‘That’s a nice win,’” he laughed.

“Then I took a second look and said, “Wait a minute – that’s a million dollars!”

Stacey, who won a $1-million MAXMILLIONS prize on the LOTTO MAX draw on March 4, plans to use his winnings to pay bills.

“To be completely financially free, that’s a dream come true!”

Stacey’s winning ticket was a free play he won and cashed it in at the Northhill Express 24 convenience store, 7141 50th Ave.