A 35-year-old father from Surrey, British Columbia, has become Canada’s largest single lottery winner after hitting the $80 million Lotto Max jackpot in the May 9 draw — and he’s already calling it a career.
Justin Simporios, a health and safety officer, purchased the winning ticket on a casual trip to Walmart to buy burger buns and cheese. Later that night, he used a flashlight to check his ticket while his daughter was asleep. To his shock, he matched all the winning numbers.
“We don’t have to work anymore,” Simporios told his wife moments after realizing they had won.
Dreams Turned Reality
Following the win, Simporios immediately resigned from his job. He shared plans to use the prize money to take care of his loved ones — including retiring his mother, paying off his sister’s medical school debt, and supporting his wife’s family.
“I want to give back to the community,” he said. “Even if I can give an ounce of happiness, I want to help where we can.”
LeBron, the Philippines, and a New Life
An avid Los Angeles Lakers fan, Simporios revealed that one of his biggest dreams is to watch LeBron James play live before the NBA legend retires. He also plans to purchase a new home in Metro Vancouver and take his wife and daughter to the Philippines for a long-awaited family reunion.
His story — from a quick grocery run to becoming a multimillionaire — has resonated with many Canadians, reminding everyone that sometimes, life can change in the blink of an eye.