A Windsor automotive worker used a suggestion from his son and turned it into a lottery winner.
Vonni Genovesi "anted up" with an additional $1 bet on a Poker Lotto All-In game, and collected a jackpot worth $73,647.80. To make the win sweeter, Genovesi also won $5,000 on the instant portion of his Poker Lotto play for a total of $78,647.80.
The winning ticket was purchased at a Mac's convenience store on Ouellette Avenue in Windsor on March 31. Still, Genovesi was unable to claim his prize until last week due to the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto being closed by the pandemic restrictions.
While at the Prize Centre on Thursday to collect his cheque, Genovesi said he bought the ticket on his son's recommendation.
"I handed the money to the cashier and requested the ticket. I didn't realize what was happening when I won," said Genovesi. "The clerk told me that I won big and thought, 'Are you serious?' I was numb."
Genovesi, a father of three and a grandfather of one, said the win was all about his son. The latter works in a hospitality industry that has been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
"If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't have bought the ticket. He works at a hotel and has been hit hard by COVID. He deserves this," said Genovesi.
Complete information about the Poker Lotto game can be found at the OLG's official website.