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An Ontario lottery player is rejoicing after a major lottery win.
Welland resident James Gaspar was struck by the Lightning Lotto jackpot on April 6. The top prize had ballooned to $462,319.20 and he got to reap the rewards.
The produce clerk has been a regular lottery player with the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) for the past decade. His go-to games include Lotto Max, Lotto 6/49, Ontario 49 and Lottario. Lightning Lotto was a relatively unfamiliar ticket that brought him his most electrifying prize yet.
<div id="attachment_2146722" style="width: 947px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-2146722" class="size-full wp-image-2146722" src="https://images-dh-production-baselayer.dailyhive.com/uploads/2025/05/lightning-lotto-fanned-tickets.webp" alt="lottery" width="937" height="968" srcset="https://images-dh-production-baselayer.dailyhive.com/uploads/2025/05/lightning-lotto-fanned-tickets.webp 937w, https://images-dh-production-baselayer.dailyhive.com/uploads/2025/05/lightning-lotto-fanned-tickets-484x500.webp 484w" sizes="(max-width: 937px) 100vw, 937px" />OLG</div>
While picking up his usual lottery tickets at the store, the father of one spontaneously decided to switch things up.
&#8220;Lightning Lotto was just staring me in the face, so I figured I’d give it a shot,” he said with a chuckle.
He explained while visiting the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto that this was only the second Lightning Lotto ticket he had ever bought.
&#8220;I won the jackpot on my second try!” said Gaspar while claiming his lottery windfall.
Matching all five numbers, he won the jackpot faster than a lightning strike.
“It was pretty surprising and intense. I didn’t know what was going on!” he recalled. “The store clerk was new, so we were both just sitting there in shock!”
He says he didn&#8217;t share the amazing news with anyone except his wife, who was too excited to keep it under wraps.
&#8220;She just about told the whole world! I plan to keep the news under wraps until I have the money in my hands,” explained Gaspar.
The huge prize has him ready for retirement.
&#8220;Winning is a great feeling,” he beamed. “I can now do as I please without financial pressure. In fact, I’m ready to retire now!”
Gaspar bought his winning lottery ticket at Shell on East Main Street in Welland.
All forms of gambling, including the lottery, involve risk and outcomes are based on chance. Individuals are strongly advised to gamble responsibly. If you are experiencing any signs of gambling-related issues, <a href="https://canadasafetycouncil.org/gambling-addiction/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">check out these resources</a>.
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The produce clerk has been a regular lottery player with the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) for the past decade.