lotto winner ontario

Ontario lottery player takes lump sum prize after winning $25,000 a year for life

One lottery player was on his way home when he learned about his life-changing win.

Fifty-six-year-old Rolf Balentin lives in Oshawa, Ontario, and considers himself an occasional lottery player who enjoys playing the Lotto 6/49. However, one day, he decided to mix it up and purchased a Daily Grand ticket.

Balentin recalled that his parents were dropping him home one day when he pulled up the OLG App to scan his ticket. That's when he discovered that he had won a massive prize.

"It was crazy," he said.

Balentin won the Daily Grand second prize in the June 15, 2023 draw, which meant he would get $25,000 a year for life.

He immediately showed his phone screen to his parents.

"They were just as surprised as I was," said Balentin, adding that this was his biggest win to date.

As for his prize, Balentin opted for the lump sum prize, netting him a windfall of $500,000.

Now half a million dollars richer, he said that he plans to manage his finances and use the money to complete some home renovations.

His big win also allows him to pursue his dreams: Balentin plans to go back to school to become a physiotherapist.

"This win came at just the right time," he said.

The winning ticket was purchased at Circle K on Park Road in Oshawa.

Lead photo by

OLG


Latest Videos



Latest Videos


Join the conversation Load comments

Latest in Sports & Play

This small town in Ontario will transport you to Europe

Two new pickleball clubs opening in and around Toronto

This is what Canada's Wonderland looked like in the 1980s

Details emerge about Matthews' injury that kept Leafs star out of playoffs

Toronto will get a WNBA team for the 2026 season

Sheldon Keefe says Leafs 'deserve the Stanley Cup' in goodbye message to team

50 natural wonders to explore in Ontario this summer

Leafs fire head coach Sheldon Keefe after five seasons on the job