Maybe you should buy that lotto ticket.

The last three years have proven very lucky for people in the prairies who play the lotto.  In 2016, there was $218 million in prizes through Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta; because of the bigger jackpots, the million dollar additional prizes increased as well.  190 one million dollar prizes have gone to the west.

In the past few years Cochrane has cashed in on that luck with the biggest win here being 7.5 million and  two 1 million dollar prizes. Kevin Van Egdom, Communications and Media Officer, Western Lottery Corporation says they seem to be seeing more winners in small towns. 

"Alberta has had an incredible year for lottery wins. We have had big prizes won in some of the smallest towns. Anywhere someone buys a lottery ticket there is a chance to win."

Van Egdom says any one who plays the lottery will play the 'what if ' game; but when he asked the winners if it feels how they thought it would be, the answer never ceases to surprise him. They really start thinking about what it can mean in the long term for their family, not just about the cars and big houses.

"They (the winners) really start thinking about money for retirement, children's education funds, and financial security. Sure, people want to go out and have some fun, but for the most part its pretty responsible."

So, what would you do?