Lotto 6/49 jackpot hits ‘astronomical’ high as Saturday’s $55M prize breaks Canadian record
National Post Staff, 13/04/12 5:30 PM ET, Source
People line up to get Lotto 6/49 tickets as the jackpot reaches a Canadian record high. (Video below)
Do you feel lucky? With the right six numbers, you could become $55-million richer Saturday as Lotto 6/49 draws for the biggest lottery jackpot in Canadian history.
The odds aren’t exactly in your favour (there’s a 13,983,816 to one chance you’ll hit the jackpot), but that’s hasn’t stopped people from snapping up tickets for a chance to strike it rich.
“After thirty years, Lotto 6/49 is still an exciting game,” said Ontario Lottery and Gaming spokeswoman Wendy Montgomery. “We’re thrilled to offer players the largest estimated jackpot in the game’s history.”
In the nine draws since March 13, there have been no winners with the jackpot growing until it finally hit a record peak.
“It’s specifically because of the amount. For me, it’s just fun to dream,” Kevin Carruthers told the StarPhoenix in Saskatoon. Carruthers doesn’t expect to win, but he said he had to try anyway. “The astronomical proportion (of the prize) makes it appealing.”
In Vancouver, the Province turned to feng shui master Sherman Tai for advice on winning. The draw’s on a Saturday, which is associated with the element of earth, so he says the two and eight will both be lucky.
It’s not exactly science, or in any way verifiable — but if you’ve got a better system, we’d like to hear it.
The previous lotto record in Canada was set by a group of oil and gas workers in Alberta — who’ve dubbed themselves “Oil Money” — who split a $54.3 million jackpot 17 ways in October 2005. When they won, they decided to share their winnings with all of their coworkers, including ones who didn’t participate in the pool.
Tickets can be purchased across Canada until 9 p.m. ET or 6 p.m. PT Saturday.
