19 Quebecers won Lotto 6/49’s $5 million jackpot and their group name is extremely ironic

How often do you experience something unforgettable with a group of total strangers? For most of us, the closest we get is sharing a funny moment on public transit. But 19 Quebecers, who had never met each other before, can now say they’ve won the lottery together, splitting a $5 million jackpot.

In the September 18 Lotto 6/49 draw, these lucky players scooped up the Classic Jackpot thanks to a Formule groupe ticket purchased online. Each member of this pool gets to pocket a sweet $250,000 — but one Montrealer, Alain Richard, had a little extra luck. He bought two shares, walking away with $500,000.

“It’s good timing,” Richard told Loto-Québec after the win. Then again, is there ever a bad time to be handed half-a-million dollars?

In some ways, this victory is the ultimate twist of fate. Raynald Cusson, from Centre-du-Québec, playfully named the group the “Friday the 13th group” after the infamous superstition. However, rather than experiencing bad luck, the group ended up winning a free ticket in the September 14 draw, which helped them snag the $5 million jackpot.

But Cusson isn’t the only one with an incredible story to tell.

Thirty-year-old Jérémie Gagnon from Montérégie is starting a new professional journey, and for him, the timing couldn’t be better. The $250,000 gives him a cushion as he embarks on this new path.

Meanwhile, Anik Forest from Laurentides was in the middle of a power outage when Loto-Québec called her with the news of her win. As if on cue, the power came back on just as she found out she was $250,000 richer — an electrifying moment in every sense of the word.

The winners come from all over the province, including Capitale-Nationale, Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, Laurentides, and Montreal. They finally got the chance to meet at the Loto-Québec office when they received their prize.

This marks the seventh Lotto 6/49 jackpot win in Quebec over the past few months, according to Loto-Québec. With over 90 prizes of $1 million or more already awarded in 2024, the province seems to be on a serious lucky streak. If you were thinking about grabbing a lottery ticket, now might just be the perfect time!

If you or someone you know is struggling with problem gambling, refer to these resources available across Quebec. Help is available.

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