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| quote: | Originally posted by Euphorica
1 winner in ALberta.... 54 mil. |
I thought it was a group of co-workers who split it getting just over 3 million each?
Edit:
| quote: | Alberta group shares record winnings
John Cotter
Canadian Press
October 27, 2005
EDMONTON -- Seventeen people who work for an oil and gas company just outside Sedgewick, Alta., will share the record $54.3-million Lotto 6-49 jackpot, a company official says.
Mike Frederick of Viking Holdings said word ripped through the plant Thursday morning during a company safety meeting that a group of employees had the golden ticket.
The winners include plant workers, bosses, contractors and secretaries, he said.
"I took the phone call at about 8:15 am," Frederick said. "The guy on the line said we won the lottery. They have all bolted out of here."
People at the plant who declined to join the group lottery ticket pool are now kicking themselves, he said.
"Where the hell was I last week when the 20 bucks was going in," he said with a laugh.
People in Sedgewick, a small town of 900 people 130 kilometres southeast of Edmonton, were all abuzz about the big lotto win.
Mayor David Danko, who owns the town drug store, said it was all people were talking about up and down Main Street.
"Most or all of them live in Sedgewick. The town is excited and buzzing," said Danko. "This is tremendous news for the winners and definitely the area."
Despite all the hoopla, the lucky group had still not been declared the official winner.
Western Canada Lottery Corp. officials said they have been contacted by at least two people claiming to have a stake in the golden ticket.
But no one had come forward yet for the required screening interview or to have the ticket verified, said WCLC spokesman John Matheson.
"We have received contact from a couple of people in respect to the prize, but nothing is official until we get the ticket and verify it as the winner," Matheson said.
There are unconfirmed reports the winning ticket was sold at a Real Canadian Superstore outlet in nearby Camrose.
Once the winners do come forward they will be counselled about the intense pressures, including how to deal with the many requests for money sure to come from relatives, strangers and charities.
In some cases, winners wait months to claim their prize so they can get ready for their new life as a millionaire.
Winners are also advised to get insurance, hire an accountant and bank their winnings until they develop a plan for their pot of gold.
Lottery officials also have tips for dealing with reporters.
"Smile! You're a major winner. Your win is a good news story," says a lottery commission guide called The Winning Experience. "Media questions are usually very simple."
Gaming officials estimated about two-thirds of adult Canadians eagerly waited to find out which way the 49 little white balls with black numbers painted on their sides would bounce.
The winning numbers -- 5, 11, 20, 30, 37 and 43, -- marked the biggest jackpot in the country's lottery history.
Lottery ticket machines went into overdrive Wednesday as last-minute gamblers ducked into variety stores or lined up at kiosks to buy a $2 ticket.
Officials estimate the Lotto 6-49 draw took in more than $99.4 million. More than half of the take will be paid out in prizes. About 30 per cent will go to the provinces.
The balance goes to retailers and to pay operating costs such as advertising and ticket printing.
The previous Canadian jackpot record -- set in May 2002 -- was $37.8 million offered in a Super 7 draw.
© Canadian Press 2005 |
http://www.canada.com/national/stor...f9-a352b78a2d92
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Rapture tastes so sweet
Wanted by many, taken by none, looking at some, but waiting for one.
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