Julio Benitez nearly forgot about the lottery ticket in his pocket.
The High River man remembered it while filling up his vehicle at a Calgary gas station, so he went inside to check it.
"I had it in my pocket and forgot to check it the last time, so I went in when I was filling up gas," he said. "Then the screen went black, and I thought I broke it."
He hadn't broken anything. He'd won $1 million.
'$1,000, then $10,000'
At first, Benitez didn't know what was going on.
"I didn't understand what was happening, but the guy told me I won some money," he said.
While the cashier got on the phone, Benitez grabbed the validation slip and tried to count the zeros himself. He thought it might be $1,000, then $10,000.
"I couldn't believe it!" he said.
His ticket had won the $1 million Guaranteed Prize in the Aug. 22 Lotto 6/49 draw.
"I left the store and jumped and screamed, 'Thank you, God!'" he said.
A grandchild on the way
Benitez says the money will go to his family.
"I'm going to pay bills and help my family," he said. "My son has a baby on the way. This is great timing. It feels like a dream."
Where he bought it
Benitez bought the ticket at the Flying J at 11511 40 Street S.E. in Calgary. High River is about 40 kilometres south of the city.
His winning number was 30526413-01.
Is it taxed?
No. Lottery winnings in Canada generally aren't taxed as income, so Benitez keeps the full $1 million. Any interest or investment income it earns afterward is taxable.
What to do if your ticket wins
Sign the back of your ticket as soon as you buy it. It shows the ticket is yours if it's ever lost or stolen.
Check it at a retailer or online. You can scan it at any lottery retailer, or check the winning numbers on WCLC's website or app.
Keep it safe if it's a big winner. Don't hand it to anyone else to claim for you.
Claim bigger prizes through WCLC. Retailers can pay small prizes on the spot. Larger prizes have to be claimed through the Western Canada Lottery Corporation, which will tell you how.
Check those old tickets
Benitez had already forgotten to check his ticket once.
In Western Canada, Lotto 6/49 and other draw tickets expire one year after the draw date. After that, the prize can't be paid.
If you've got an old ticket sitting in a wallet, coat pocket, glove box or junk drawer, check the date.
Other recent million-dollar winners
Benitez isn't the only recent winner who didn't believe it at first.
A Halifax couple won $1 million just after paying off their wedding. Read that story here.
And a Surrey, B.C., man thought he'd won $32,000. It was $32 million. Read that story here.
Gambling support
If gambling is causing problems for you or someone you know, Alberta's Addiction Helpline offers free, confidential support 24 hours a day at 1-866-332-2322.
Sources
High River Local Discovers $1 Million LOTTO 6/49 Win While Filling Up His Tank, Western Canada Lottery Corporation
Unclaimed prizes, Western Canada Lottery Corporation
Addiction Helpline, Alberta Health Services
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