It was announced by BCLC on October 18, 2023, that Frederick Pelletier is one of the province's newest millionaires now that he's a Lotto 6/49 winner.
Pelletier, who is from Courtenay on Vancouver Island, scored $1 million from the Lotto 6/49 draw on Wednesday, August 2, 2023.
With that draw, the Classic Jackpot was $5 million and the Gold Ball Jackpot had reached $36 million.
But since a white ball was drawn in the Gold Ball Jackpot draw and not a Gold Ball, Pelletier only won $1 million instead of $36 million.
The Lotto 6/49 winning numbers for the August 2 draw that scored him the million-dollar prize were 09893649-01.
Lotto 6/49 winner Frederick Pelletier.BCLC
Pelletier purchased the winning ticket at the Shell gas station that's located on Island Highway and Headquarters Road in Courtenay, B.C.
After going to visit his son, the Courtenay resident was returning home to Vancouver Island when he found out that he won $1 million.
Pelletier's wife was waiting in the car while he stopped for coffee and decided to check his ticket after arriving at the B.C. Ferries Departure Bay terminal.
Once he told her about the windfall, his wife didn't believe that he had actually won $1 million with Lotto 6/49.
"She called me a liar," Pelletier revealed.
So, he brought his wife to Scuttlebutt News — where he checked his ticket — at the ferry terminal so she could see for herself that it was a $1 million win.
Pelletier hasn't decided everything that he wants to do with the money now that he's a millionaire but he does plan to help his son, travel, and add to his investments.
"We have thought about taking trips, now the things we discussed are more in reach," he said.
When asked how it feels to win $1 million, Pelletier said, "It has still not sunk in!"
There have been a few Lotto 6/49 winners in B.C. over the last couple of months, including Kalyn Davies who thought she won $1,000 but actually won $1 million in the draw on April 29, 2023.
Lotto 6/49 winner Sun Jie won $1 million in the draw on May 10, 2023, but her family didn't believe that she had actually won that much money.
Ontarian Jianping Fu won $1 million with a Lotto 6/49 ticket that he purchased in B.C. for the draw on June 7, 2023.
Not only was buying a ticket a spur-of-the-moment decision but he also found out he scored a million dollars but he found out he won when he decided to clear out his wallet on a whim and found the ticket.
If you or someone you know is struggling with problem gambling, refer to these helplines across Canada. Support is available.
This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.
