A routine morning errand turned into a life-changing moment for a Logan Lake man who discovered he had won a $1 million Lotto Max prize.

John M. had stopped by an Esso on Ponderosa Avenue in Kamloops to pick up a newspaper when he decided to check a ticket he’d purchased days earlier for the April 3, 2026, Lotto Max draw. What happened next caught him completely off guard.

“I didn’t check the screen at first and asked for the win in fifties,” John said. “The clerk laughed and said he couldn’t pay it out. I wasn’t expecting this at all. I didn’t believe it and I’m still not sure I believe it.”

The unexpected windfall quickly turned into a shared moment of disbelief at home. John said his wife was just as stunned when he told her the news. The couple later celebrated the win with family at a backyard barbecue.

As for what comes next, John is keeping things relatively simple. He plans to travel and is considering buying a new car.

When asked what it feels like to suddenly become a millionaire, his response was brief but heartfelt: “It’s unbelievable… surreal.”

So far in 2026, lottery players across British Columbia have redeemed more than $28 million in Lotto Max winnings. The nationwide lottery is drawn twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Fridays.