Skip to content

Niagara pair shares MaxMillions win

Peter Galauner of Welland and Irene Barras of Thorold took home $500K after two winning tickets drawn October 1
2020-12-09 OLG winner Peter Galauner Irene Barras
OLG winners Peter Galauner and Irene Barras won $500K playing MaxMillions. Photo supplied

NEWS RELEASE
OLG
***************************
TORONTO - Peter Galauner of Welland and Irene Barras of Thorold can realize their dreams after winning $500,000 in the Oct. 1, 2019 Lotto Max draw. The pair split a MaxMillions prize with another winning ticket.

Peter, 62, said he made a pact with his sister Irene, 56, after the passing of their father. “We vowed to take care of each other,” he shared while at the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto to pick up their winnings.

Peter said he knew there was something magical about the day he found out about their win. “My heart stopped a bit, it was surreal. I said, ‘Thanks Dad,’ and tucked the ticket away.”

Peter went to see Irene to share the good news. “I was very happy!” she smiled.

Irene plans to put some of her win towards house renovations and savings. And Peter plans to wait until things settle down with the pandemic to decide what he will do with his share of the winnings.

In accordance with government-issued lockdown measures to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, OLG is currently limiting the number of in-person prize claim appointments at the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto to only those that require a face-to-face interview. Customers with prizes over $50,000 are asked to call 1-800-387-0098 to discuss available prize claim options. Prize claims up to $49,999.90 should continue to be submitted by mail. The health and safety of our customers and employees remains our top priority and OLG looks forward to providing future updates on the availability of in-person prize claims.

Lotto Max players in Ontario have won over $5.8 billion since 2009, including 78 jackpot wins and 617 MaxMillions prizes, right across the province. Lotto Max is $5 per play and draws take place on Tuesdays and Fridays.

The winning ticket was purchased at Kay’s Korner Variety on Thorold Road in Welland.

***************************