A Brampton father of two is $50,000 richer—but his family didn’t know a thing.
Senthil Cellaiyan, a local mechanic and regular lottery player, recently won the top prize of $50,000 in the Instant Super Strike game offered by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG). But instead of immediately celebrating with loved ones, Cellaiyan chose to keep the exciting news to himself until now.
“I played the ticket right after buying it and couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the amount,” Cellaiyan shared with OLG representatives. “I scanned it using the store’s ticket checker and was completely shocked.”
After discovering the win, he stepped outside to gather his thoughts.
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“I just sat in my car and drank some water, trying to let it all sink in,” he recalled. “Once I was calm, I went back in to tell the clerk and validate the ticket.”
Despite his life-changing win, Cellaiyan kept the prize a secret—even from his wife. “I haven’t told anyone yet,” he admitted during his prize claim. “I’m looking forward to surprising my wife today once I receive the cheque.”
Cellaiyan has been playing the lottery a few times a week for the past three years, usually choosing a mix of jackpot and instant games. It was only recently that he decided to give the $50 Instant Super Strike game a try—a decision that paid off in a big way.
With his newfound winnings, he plans to travel back to his home country with his family and invest in his children’s education.
The Instant Super Strike game costs $50 per play and offers a top prize of $50,000. The odds of winning any prize in the game are 1 in 3.29.
Cellaiyan purchased the winning ticket at City Convenience, located on Queen Street East in Brampton.