Canadian Man Takes Home a $55M Lotto Max Prize

Canadian players wins $55M from Lotto Max

Updated on 04/02/2026

BCLC has reported that William Scott Gurney, a Vancouver Island ticket holder, had recently enjoyed a massive win. The BCLC oversees the lottery in B.C., and players can acquire the lottery tickets for local and nationwide games at the Crown’s PlayNow online platforms or lottery retailers. You can check your ticket using the BCLC Lotto! App from the comfort of your home. Mr. Gurney won a Lotto Max jackpot worth CA$ 55 million following February 28, 2023, draw.

The Winner’s Story

Sharing how he discovered his major winning, Mr. Gurney said he heard someone from the region won the mega CA$55 million Lotto Max jackpot on the radio while sitting in his office. He then used the app to check his ticket and asked his assistant to help him confirm. However, his assistant read the number as CA$ 55,000 instead of the winning amount.

The Crown corporation presented the cheque for CA$55 million to Gurney on Tuesday, April 4, 2023, as he became the largest prize winner from Vancouver Island as a ticket holder. Following his win, Mr. Gurney plans to purchase a property on Vancouver Island and help his family financially. He will also take a break from work and travel around the world while figuring out what he will do with most of the winning.

The Big Wins In 2022

Last year alone witnessed CA$802 million in prizes won by provincial lottery players, and CA$173 million came from Lotto Max, according to the BCLC. With a total prize pool of CA$ 382.1 million in prizes among players, Fraser Valley and Lower Mainland generated the largest portion of the win. One of the recorded winners, Jennifer Cole, won the Lotto Max jackpot worth CA$ 31 million in the game via July 8, 2022, draw.

Win massive Returns

Do you love massive wins but can’t get around to playing the lotto? Then progressive jackpot games are great alternatives that can offer you life changing rewards. Here’s a few of the top options we recommend:

Gambling Awareness: Staying in the Green

At CanadaCasino, we believe that the best way to enjoy online gaming is to stay informed and in control. In the Canadian market, gambling should always be viewed as a form of paid entertainment, much like a movie ticket or a hockey game—never as a source of income.

The Golden Rules of Responsible Play

To keep your experience positive, we recommend following the Lower-Risk Gambling Guidelines developed by the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction:

Set a Hard Budget: Only wager what you can afford to lose. Once that “entertainment fund” is gone, it is time to log off.
Time Management: Use your phone or casino tools to set session timers. It is easy to lose track of time when you’re on a roll.
Avoid “The Chase”: Trying to win back losses is the most common pitfall. Accept a loss as the “cost of play” and walk away.
Play Sober and Focused: Never gamble when you are stressed, upset, or under the influence of alcohol or substances.

If you ever feel that gambling is no longer just entertainment, it’s important to know that help is available. Independent organizations like GambleAware provide free, confidential advice, tools, and support for anyone looking to understand their gambling habits better or seek professional help.

The Winner’s Story

The Big Wins In 2022

Win massive Returns

Gambling Awareness: Staying in the Green

The Golden Rules of Responsible Play

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