REGINA — What began as an ordinary ticket scan turned into a life-changing moment for Regina resident Lori Antoine, who is now $2 million richer after winning the February 28 Western 649 jackpot.
Antoine discovered the win using the Lotto Spot app, but the moment hardly felt real.
“I scanned the ticket and woke my husband up to tell him,” she said. “He thought I was having a heart attack because I just yelled, ‘Oh my god, oh my god, look!’”
Trying to explain the news proved almost as difficult as processing it.
“I didn’t know how to tell him,” she laughed.
The winning ticket matched all six numbers drawn that night: 1, 2, 17, 25, 45 and 46.
Antoine purchased the ticket at Sherwood Co-op Grasslands on Gordon Road, a stop that has now become one of the luckiest lottery locations in the city.
From disbelief to travel plans
Like many jackpot winners, the first hours after the discovery were filled with disbelief.
For Antoine and her husband, the reality is still sinking in.
But they already know one thing they want to do with the money.
Travel.
“We’re going to a travel agent right away to get some brochures,” Antoine said with a smile. “I’ve always wanted to do an Alaskan cruise or an African safari.”
In the meantime, the couple already has a smaller getaway planned.
“Right now, we have a little vacation already booked to Moose Jaw,” she said with a laugh. “We’re probably going to upgrade our suite!”
The couple plans to approach their windfall thoughtfully.
Half of the $2 million jackpot will be placed into savings to secure their retirement. The other half will be used to create memories with family.
“I always dreamed that this is the way it would be,” Antoine said. “I’ve had dreams for years that I’d win a million dollars and wake up my husband to tell him.”
In real life, she said, the dream turned out even better.
“It was $2 million.”
A prairie lottery with deep roots
The WESTERN 649 game has been a familiar fixture across Western Canada for decades, offering players a chance to win life-changing jackpots while supporting community programs.
Lottery games across Saskatchewan do more than create winners.
They also help fund thousands of community initiatives.
Since 1974, lottery proceeds have provided more than $1.4 billion to sport, culture and recreation organizations across Saskatchewan.
Today, more than 12,000 groups benefit from the funding.
That includes youth sports teams, community theatres, cultural organizations, parks programs and countless grassroots initiatives that help shape community life across the province.
From small-town hockey rinks to provincial arts festivals, lottery funding quietly supports programs that reach into nearly every Saskatchewan community.
