A group of 16 co-workers in Central Alberta are sharing a $1 million MAXMILLIONS prize.
The group, who played the lottery together for the last five years usually when jackpots are high, struck it rich in the Dec. 11 LOTTO MAX draw.
The lucky ticket was purchased by Dean Howard at the Co-op Gas Bar on Hwy 54 in Spruce View.
The prize will be shared by Howard and his co-workers Harold Nicolay, Joshua Barker, Stacy Sands, Jody Junk, Ed Szymanek, Brent Johner, Mark Workun, Mitchel Tarasiuk, Allan Gaetz, Tom Dezall, Glen Spearing, Blaine Mason, Jory Wright, Kenneth French and Johnathon Gress.
They won about $62,500 each.
“I think a lot of people will be paying down their mortgages. I’m planning to take some money and going to the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas next year,” said Howard in a press release from Western Lottery Corporation.
When he first scanned the ticket at the store, he knew they won but didn’t have his glasses on so wasn’t sure how much.
“I just knew I saw a bunch of zeros.”
Howard checked the ticket again when he got home, this time with his glasses on.
“I wanted to make sure I knew the amount before I told anyone else in the group. So I re-checked the numbers online,” Howard said.
“We won $1,000,000! I couldn’t believe it.”
The group plans to continue buy lottery tickets together.