A lucky Metro Vancouver lottery winner had to count the zeros after she won the whopping $5 million Classic Jackpot.
Geraldine Ettinger was grocery shopping with her friend at the Save-On-Foods in Semiahmoo Mall in Surrey when she validated her ticket from the Dec. 21, 2022, Lotto 6/49 draw.
"At first, I thought I won $5,000 but I was counting the zeroes and then the retailer said, ‘That’s $5 million!’” recalled the White Rock resident.
Ettinger's husband had suggested they purchase tickets while they were shopping to escape the snowy Metro Vancouver weather. She was the most excited to share the news with him and celebrate with a champagne toast.
While the couple plans to take a vacation, Ettinger will take some time to ponder her bucket list items first -- although she says she will splurge more than she typically does when it comes to travel.
When asked how it feels to be a multimillionaire, the lucky winner said: “It’s unbelievable. I feel very blessed and grateful — my new year’s resolution was to have more fun than last year, and I think I will be able to achieve that now.”
