Michael (Mike) Walsh of Brantford matched the last six of seven ENCORE numbers in exact order in the February 3, 2026 LOTTO MAX draw to win $100,000.
Walsh, who works as a kitchen design consultant, has been playing the lottery with OLG for about 40 years, always adding ENCORE to his tickets.
One day, he took a break from work and decided to check his ticket on the OLG app.
“When the prize amount popped up on the screen, my heart skipped a beat,” he recalled, while visiting the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto to collect his winnings. “I had to do a double take because I couldn’t believe what I was seeing! My hands were shaking and I kept blinking at the screen.”
The 65-year-old said that once his win finally sunk in, he couldn’t stop smiling.
“I felt a rush of adrenaline wash over me. I was at work, so I had to hold it together and act normal, even though my mind was racing nonstop. Throughout every conversation and task, I had to pretend I wasn’t bursting with excitement,” said Walsh.
That evening, Walsh shared the incredible news with his wife.
“I got home from work, set two glasses of wine on the counter, and waited for her to get home. When she walked in, she looked at me and asked, ‘Why the glasses of wine? What are we celebrating?’ That’s when I told her I won the lottery. The look on her face was priceless; just pure shock, joy, and disbelief. She was over the moon, and her reaction made my heart swell. Sharing that moment with the woman of my dreams by my side made it feel complete,” recalled Walsh.
The father of two and grandfather of five revealed the surprise to his children at a family dinner later that week, wanting to see their reactions in person.
“We bought big number balloons that spelled out ‘$100,000.’ At dinner, we had each of our grandchildren hold a balloon and walk into the dining room. Our kids looked confused. One of them asked, ‘What are these numbers for, Dad? Did you win the lottery or something?’ I calmly said, ‘Yes,’ and the room went silent for a split second. Then came the wide eyes and hands over mouths. They couldn’t believe it! It was such a beautiful moment full of laughter, hugs, and celebration. Being able to experience that with my wife, kids, and grandkids was something I’ll never forget. It wasn’t just about winning; it was about sharing the happiness with the people I love most,” Walsh said.
With his windfall, Walsh plans to save for retirement, invest for the future, and spruce up his ’65 Mustang.
