REGINA — Mark Keulen found his way to the endzone to pick up the major prize of $75,000 on the Rider Nation Scratch & Win ticket.
“I was in disbelief,” said the Regina resident. “I sat there checking the ticket over and over again. I looked at it six or seven times after putting on my glasses and I still couldn’t believe my eyes!”
The $7 Rider Nation ticket, which launched May 12, features multiple types of prizes, including Saskatchewan Roughriders autographed jerseys and footballs, 10-year season ticket packages, suite experiences, cash prizes and more.
With his win, Keulen becomes the first person to capture one of two of the ticket’s top prizes of $75,000, but it’s not the first time he’s claimed a prize on the ticket.
“The cashier at Northland Confectionary & Groceries really promoted the ticket to me. I started playing and won $50. I was extremely shocked and happy with that amount because I never win anything.”
From that point on, Keulen continued to purchase the Rider Nation ticket, always from the same Lotto Spot retailer — including the $75,000 winner — but it wasn’t just the prizes that kept Keulen coming back or why he bought the ticket in the first place.
“I like that purchasing the ticket supports Saskatchewan.”
Like all Lotto Spot products sold in Saskatchewan, proceeds from the sale of the Rider Nation ticket are directed to more than 12,000 sport, culture and recreation organizations in communities across the province through Sask Lotteries. The ticket also celebrates the 30-year partnership between Sask Lotteries and the 2025 champion Saskatchewan Roughriders; another selling point for Keulen, who’s been watching the team since 1976.
“I remember watching the Grey Cup that year. I had to go over to the neighbours to watch it because we just had a little television at the time and they had a 26-inch coloured television.”
That Grey Cup didn’t end in celebration for Keulen, but he gets to celebrate a big win now and already has plans for his windfall.
“I’m going to gift some to family, do some home renovations and I would like to do some travelling.”
The Rider Nation ticket is available at Lotto Sport retailers and only in Saskatchewan!
