Brampton woman wins $250,000 top prize playing lotto crossword

A Brampton woman was in tears after learning she won a $250,000 jackpot top prize playing Instant Crossword Deluxe.

Brampton’s Nandita Ravi Shankar said she is a regular lottery player and that crossword games are her favourite.

When playing a recent ticket at home, Ravi Shankar first thought she won $250 but shocked her husband and mother when she realized she’s actually won a quarter of a million dollars.

“I kept scratching, and when I realized I won $250,000, I screamed and started crying,” she said. “My husband and mother came to see what was wrong.”

Ravi Shankar said her initial reaction was pure joy and happiness, saying she felt “overwhelmed with gratitude.”

“This win feels like a wonderful blessing and I am so thankful,” she said.

The Brampton winner says she plans to share her winnings with family.

OLG is booking in-person prize claim appointments at the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto. You can submit claims online, but customers with prizes over $50,000 are asked to call 1-800-387-0098 to discuss available prize claim options.

Instant Crossword Deluxe is available for $10 a play and the top prize is $250,000. Odds of winning any prize are 1 in 3.45.

The winning ticket was purchased at Vani’s Convenience on Mountainash Road in Brampton.