'Dreams can come true!': Metro Vancouver man wins $1 million Lotto Max prize

A Metro Vancouver man is a millionaire after he won the Lotto Max $1 million Maxmillions prize. 

Maple Ridge resident George Bountalas says his "dream-big" mentality motivated him to purchase the Lotto Max ticket for the June 4, 2021 draw.

“I saw the $70-million dollar jackpot and decided, why not? Let’s give this a go,” he recalled.

“Dreams are free and dreams can come true!”

Bountalas purchased his winning ticket from the Petro Canada on Lougheed Highway; he was at work when he realized his ticket was a winner, after he checked it on his phone using the Lotto! app.

“I immediately called my wife and said ‘everything is OK but I think we won a million dollars,” he recalled. “She told me to come now but I told her that I had an hour to go at work… my heart was beating and I tried my best to focus!” 

Buountalas wants to use his prize money to visit relatives in Alberta once it is safe to do so; he'd also like to visit Greece. He'll also set some of it aside as a gift to his family.  

“This will give me more choices and a little nicer hotel room (when I travel) every now and again,” he added. 

How does it feel to be a millionaire?

Bountalas says the experience is “surreal and a roller coaster of emotion…very thankful!” 

Play for fun, not to make money

All lottery prize winners have 52 weeks from the draw date printed on their ticket to come forward to claim their prize. The specific retail location where the winning lottery ticket was purchased, and the lottery winners’ name(s) will be announced after the winner has come forward to claim their prize.

In 2020, B.C. lottery players have redeemed more than $105 million in winnings from Lotto 6/49 and BCLC paid out more than $691 million in lottery prizes.

Lotto Max is a nationwide lottery game drawn on Tuesdays and Fridays after 7:30 p.m.

The BCLC reminds you: "Remember, play for fun, not to make money.