Ottawa resident wins $5M top lottery prize

lottery winner — Mohamed Haidar of Ottawa is $5 million richer after winning the top prize with an Instant Mega ticket courtesy of the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Commission. Photo/OLG

By Anil Jhalli

Posted Nov 27, 2023 04:09:56 PM.

Last Updated Nov 28, 2023 11:05:13 AM.

A man from Ottawa has five million new reasons to smile.

Mohamed Haidar of Ottawa is $5 million richer after winning the top prize with an Instant Mega ticket courtesy of the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Commission (OLG).

Haider is an occasional lottery player, and this is his first big win.

The father and grandfather discovered his win while at home.

“I was so happy,” he said while at the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto. “I had hoped for a big win for so long.”

He is planning to share his winnings with his family and plan for retirement.

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