Two friends from London, Ontario have made Canadian lottery history by winning a record $80 million Lotto Max jackpot. The winning ticket was purchased for the December 30, 2025 draw, and the winners were announced by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) earlier this month.
How the Win Unfolded
Greg S. and Krys P., who immigrated from Europe to Canada in the 1990s and became friends while attending English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, matched all the numbers in the draw. Greg described the moment he realized they had won: "One-by-one I circled my numbers to see if they matched the winning numbers – until I realized I circled them all."
He initially told his wife he had won something but was unsure of the amount. "Then I checked using the OLG app because I didn't know how much we won. I saw the words Big Winner and the number 80 but I didn't believe it at first. It was unbelievable. I checked it again and I saw the eight, the zeros and the commas and I knew it was $80 million."
Krys learned about the win the morning after the draw from Greg's wife. "She asked me if I checked our ticket yet. I checked it with my wife and saw we matched all the numbers. I was very happy, and very nervous too." He then went to Greg's home to confirm the news and shake his hand, acknowledging that Greg always took the time to buy their tickets.
Additional Prize and Equal Split
In addition to the record $80 million jackpot, the duo also won a secondary prize of $403,285.40 by opting for the Lotto Max Combination Play. They will share the total winnings equally.
Plans for the Winnings
Greg recently retired from a manufacturing job and plans to take his time deciding what to do next. Krys has consulted a financial adviser to invest his half, with plans to purchase a new home and car, spend more time with family, and travel the world. Both winners emphasized their desire to ensure their families are financially secure for generations to come.
"We came to Canada many years ago in search of the Canadian dream and a better life," Greg said. "Over these years, we have worked hard and built lives we are proud of. We have been fortunate to own our homes and provide our children with education and opportunities for the future."
The OLG had announced the jackpot was claimed months earlier but did not disclose the winners' identities until now.
