Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Québec resident Gérard Babin won $1 million and woke his wife to share the news before carrying his winning ticket everywhere on a trip to Montréal.
Gérard Babin, a resident of Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Québec, became a millionaire after winning $1 million in the July 24 Québec Max draw.
Babin checked his tickets early the following morning using the Loto-Québec app. His first surprise was a $200 Banco win, but it was quickly followed by a much bigger discovery when he realised that his Double Jeu Max ticket had won the $1 million prize.
“I won a million!” he shouted.
The discovery prompted an early-morning wake-up call for his wife. Still half-asleep, she initially thought Babin was telling her that he had won a free play. But when she looked at his phone, she quickly realised that the news was considerably bigger.
Babin’s winning ticket also became something he kept very close during his trip to Montréal to claim the prize. He joked that he carried it everywhere, including on the road, at the hotel, at a restaurant and even to bed.
The ticket was purchased at the Couche-Tard convenience store on Route Gérard-D.-Levesque Ouest in Paspébiac.
With his $1 million prize, Babin plans to share the windfall with his family. He says he wants to spoil his son and grandchildren and organise a memorable family trip, turning his unexpected win into an opportunity to create new memories with his loved ones.
