Vincent Charlemagne of Thornhill, Ont., seems to have a knack for winning the lottery after recently celebrating his third major win.
Charlemagne’s lucky streak began on Aug. 30, 2013, when he hit the $30 million Lotto Max jackpot. Since then, the dedicated lottery player — who says he’ll play “forever” — has won two more times, claiming a $1,000,002 prize in Feb. 26, 2021, through Lotto Max’s Maxmillions, and an Encore prize worth $100,000 from the Aug. 9, 2024, Lotto Max draw. Now retired, Charlemagne is enjoying his lucky streak.
“I am happy and comfortable. I definitely won’t be working anymore,” he shared with the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) while claiming his most recent prize.
Charlemagne’s first big win came while he was still working as a self-employed contractor. Initially skeptical when he scanned his 2013 Lotto Max ticket, he was stunned to see all his numbers matched, landing him the $30 million jackpot.
“I scanned my ticket on the self-checker. When I saw all the numbers, I didn’t think it was real. I thought I won just a couple bucks,” Charlemagne recounted when claiming his prize.
After the clerk confirmed his win, Charlemagne skipped work, went home to clear his head, and prepared to break the news to his family. Claiming his prize wasn’t without challenges, however; he had signed the ticket as “Tony,” his commonly used first name, rather than his legal name, “Vincent.” This prompted a prize claim review by lottery officials, but Charlemagne was eventually confirmed as the winner.
“It was a long process,” he said. “But all along, I knew that I held the winning ticket, so I wasn’t worried. The wait made getting my cheque that much sweeter.”
Charlemagne, originally from St. Lucia, said he wanted to use his 2013 winnings to buy a home, a car, and to visit his family and friends back home.
His lucky streak continued eight years later in 2021. While checking tickets at the store, he discovered he’d won again — this time a $1 million Maxmillions prize from the Feb. 26 Lotto Max draw.
“Because I’ve won before, it was not as shocking as the first time — but I am still happy,” he said, recalling his wife’s reaction when he told her the news.
“She questioned me, saying, ‘Again?!’”
But Charlemagne’s winning streak didn’t end there. Three years later, he found himself back at the OLG Prize Centre, this time claiming an Encore win worth $100,000 from the Aug. 9 2024, Lotto Max draw.
“I went to the store and checked to see the outcome of my tickets,” he said. “When I saw the ‘Big Winner’ message on the screen, I was so excited to discover I had won again.”
Charlemagne immediately shared the news with his son. “He couldn’t believe it either but was quick to congratulate me,” he added with a smile.
Charlemagne purchased his winning 2024 ticket at Jane Variety & Gifts on Jane Street in North York. His winning Encore numbers were 1950149, and he matched the last six leading to his second prize win. Always adding Encore to his tickets, Charlemagne’s persistence really paid off.
Lotto Max, available nationwide, gives Canadians the chance to win big every Tuesday and Friday. With tickets starting at $5, players can select their numbers or choose a quick pick, hoping to join the ranks of lucky winners like Charlemagne. For an extra $1, you can add Encore to your ticket, giving you another chance at winning a prize.
If you’re looking to take a break from gambling, self-exclusion programs can be effective tools. See here for resources that are available across Canada.
