A $1 Million Surprise Almost Left Behind
A Calgary man’s long-standing habit of buying lottery tickets just paid off — big time. Ming Zhu recently discovered that a forgotten Lotto Max ticket he purchased in 2024 was actually worth $1 million. The win came as part of a Maxmillions prize from the August 9, 2024, draw, and Zhu is now celebrating a life-changing windfall.
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The Winning Ticket Sat Unchecked for Months
Zhu bought the winning ticket from a Shoppers Drug Mart on 4 Street NW in Calgary but didn’t check it after the draw. It wasn’t until recently that he decided to finally scan the ticket — and what he saw left him stunned.
“I checked [the ticket] again and again,” Zhu said, still in disbelief. “Then I left the store and told the news to my wife.”
At first, his wife didn’t believe him. So, Zhu turned to his laptop and pulled up the official Lotto Max results online to show her the numbers — 8, 22, 26, 32, 38, 41, and 44. Once she realized it was real, the celebration began.
Plans for the Future: A New Home and New Dreams
The lucky couple didn’t waste time dreaming up how to spend the money. Their first goal? Buying a new home. Zhu’s win marks a turning point for the family, and they’re ready to embrace the opportunity.
“We’re going to buy a new home,” Zhu shared with excitement.
$1 Million Lotto Max Ticket Bought in Surrey Still Unclaimed: Expiring in May 2025
A Close Call With the Deadline
Lotto Max tickets, like other draw-based lottery games in Canada, expire exactly one year from the draw date. That means Zhu was just months away from losing his million-dollar prize forever. According to the Western Canada Lottery Corporation (WCLC), once a ticket passes its expiration date, it’s no longer valid — and the winnings are forfeited.
Fortunately, Zhu’s habit of holding onto tickets paid off just in time.
A Reminder to All Lottery Players: Check Your Tickets
Zhu’s story is both inspiring and cautionary. It’s a heartwarming reminder that luck can strike at any time — but also a warning to always check your tickets. Thousands of dollars in lottery prizes go unclaimed each year, often due to forgotten or misplaced tickets.
So, whether it’s tucked away in your wallet, glove box, or kitchen drawer, it might be time to revisit those old lottery slips. Like Zhu, you might be a winner without even knowing it.