In what has become a landmark moment for Canadian lottery history, 35‑year‑old Justin Simporios of Surrey, British Columbia, clinched an $80 million (CAD) Lottery jackpot — the largest single‑winner prize ever awarded in Canada.
What began as an ordinary grocery run turned into life‑changing fortune. Simporios stopped at the Central City Walmart in Surrey on a mission to buy burger buns and cheese — and impulsively added a $12 Quick Pick Lotto Max ticket to his purchase.
That decision paid off in spectacular fashion when, later that night, he used a flashlight to confirm each number while trying not to wake his sleeping daughter.
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At a press conference on May 15, Simporios recounted the moment the jackpot sunk in. “I shouted, I cried, I turned on the lights — this is life‑changing,” he said, wiping away tears while recalling how his wife playfully scolded him for the late‑night commotion.
Within hours of the official announcement, he emailed his resignation to his logistics‑company employer. He said he would “not be coming back” to his day job.
A devoted family man, Simporios immediately outlined his priorities:
The B.C. Lottery Corporation has confirmed this $80 million payout as the largest individual jackpot ever awarded in Canada — and the highest provincial prize in British Columbia’s history.
Previously, multi‑winner jackpots had exceeded this sum, but never had a single ticket holder taken home such an amount alone.
As Simporios embarks on this new chapter — focused on family time, financial security, and giving back — the country watches. They want to see how this record‑setting win will ripple through his community and beyond. If you won $80 million tomorrow, what would your first move be?
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