Melody Southgate of Chatham celebrates her big lottery win. (Photo courtesy of OLG)Melody Southgate of Chatham celebrates her big lottery win. (Photo courtesy of OLG)
Chatham

Chatham woman scores big after online lotto ticket purchase

A Chatham woman is celebrating a pair of lottery wins after her decision to purchase a lottery ticket on a whim ended up paying off big time.

A release from OLG said Melody Southgate from Chatham won $100,000 by matching the last six of seven Encore numbers in exact order for a ticket she bought online through her OLG account for the June 14 Lotto Max draw.

The 61-year-old describes herself as an "occasional lottery player," and said she was shocked to find out she had won a major prize.

"I saw the email from OLG and thought it was a scam. Then I logged into my account and saw the big win," said Southgate. "I still didn’t believe it until I spoke to someone at OLG."

She was a double-winner, too, because she also won $20 on her Lotto Max selection.

Southgate said it took a few days for the win to sink in, adding, "I might not fully accept it until I see the money in my bank."

OLG said she is planning to use some of the winnings to treat herself and her best friend to a trip to the UK and the rest will be invested by her trusted advisors so she can enjoy a nice retirement.

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