Million-dollar lottery win a ‘dream come true’ for Acton man

Saying yes to Encore paid off for Steve Watson of Halton Hills, who matched all seven numbers in exact order in the June 7 Daily Keno midday draw to win $1 million.

The entrepreneur has been playing the lottery for about 25 years. He enjoys many games, and regularly adds Encore to his tickets and the numbers he plays correlate to significant dates in his life.

“I had checked the winning numbers on the OLG app but was busy at the time and didn’t check my actual ticket,” said Watson, while at the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto to pick up his windfall.

“When I went to the gas station and scanned my ticket, the lottery terminal froze. I was so confused.”

It was while waiting in the store for OLG’s call that Watson started to realize what was going on.

“It was then I saw all my special numbers within the winning Encore number. It really hit me when I was on the way back home. It was so surreal, I just wanted to scream. When I told my better half, she started to cry.”

With his winnings, Watson plans to pay off some bills and purchase his son a car.

“I don’t know how to describe this feeling. It’s a dream come true.”

The winning ticket was purchased at ESSO/Circle K on Lundy’s Lane in Niagara Falls.