It seems Burnaby is a lucky place to play the lottery, as of late.
For a second time in just over two weeks, another local resident has claimed a big payday after winning $1 million playing Lotto 6/49.
Maria Hecimovic discovered she had won the June 15 draw while she was getting ready for work by checking her phone.
"I thought I was hallucinating," Hecimovic said in a BC Lottery Corporation (BCLC) release, adding she was in complete disbelief at first.
"I also took the ticket to a Circle K ticket kiosk to double check."
Hecimovic bought her winning ticket at the Safeway on Hastings and Willingdon in Burnaby.
After discovering she became B.C.'s latest millionaire, she told her brother-in-law since he was home at the time, then shared the news with the rest of her family.
"I was so excited and shocked, I had to sit on the roof to clear my head. [...] There is so much less to worry about — it just makes things easier."
Hecimovic has plans to retire five years earlier than originally planned. She also plans to buy a furry friend for herself and her family.
"I promised my nieces that I would get a puppy if I ever won the lottery and I know they won’t let me forget that. Though, I will have more time to take the dog on walks now!"
On June 21, it was revealed that fellow Burnaby resident Trang Dang won a near $11-million jackpot.
She won $10,968,527.90 from Lotto 6/49's draw on May 28 after making a last-minute decision to buy a ticket while shopping for groceries.
"I was at home when I found out I won," she said.
"I checked the draw results and questioned if these were the right numbers. I couldn't sleep that night!"
Dang first told her mom, who was also excited to hear of her daughter's large payday.
"She plays the lottery even more than me! It's life changing."
Dang says she plans to search for a more comfortable home and hopes to travel to Spain, France and Italy.
