Mississauga man wins $1 million on first-ever try at the lottery

The odds of winning a huge jackpot with the first lottery ticket you ever buy must be astronomical.

But Mississauga’s Nathaniel Marksman did just that when his Lotto Max Maxmillions ticket for the June 3 draw won him a cool $1 million.

“I thought the machine was broken while checking my ticket at the store after seeing all the zeroes,” Marksman, 24, said while at the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto to pick up his winnings. “I asked the clerk for help, and he told me it wasn’t broken. I was shocked and surprised, then I got in my car and cried happy tears.”

Marksman, who works at a toy store, then called his older brother to share the news about his big win.

“He was laughing and shocked because it was my first time playing and I won. I’m on top of the world,” the Mississauga man said.

Marksman says he plans to help his mother pay off her mortgage and also share his win with his brother.

“I want to be sure my niece and nephew have a safe future (as well),” he added. “I feel I have a chance to live better.”

The winning ticket was purchased at Shell Gas Station, on Rexwood Rd. in Mississauga.