While the massive LOTTO MAX jackpot that was announced last month has been claimed, there are more cash prizes to be had; one lucky Western Canada winner won over $200,000.

According to Play Now, the second prize in the Lotto 6/49 class draw worth $202,042.40, was nabbed by someone out West. Five out of six numbers matched. 

With everyone in Alberta wondering who the lucky winner of the January Lotto Max jackpot was, especially since the winning ticket was bought outside of a major urban centre, the Western Canada Lottery Corporation (WCLC) announced that it was a man from Beaverlodge. 

lottery 2A northern Alberta man was revealed as the winner of a whopping $70 million jackpot earlier this week. (Photo provided by Western Canada Lottery Corporation))

Brian Hoover felt a wide range of emotions after learning his Lotto Max ticket for the January 16 draw won $70 million.

"The win signifies so much more than money in the bank for Hoover; it represents the fulfillment of a dream he shared with his late wife and a poignant opportunity to honour her legacy," states a WCLC news release. 

For the Hoovers, winning the lottery was more than just a chance at financial freedom. It was a long-time inside joke and a shared aspiration that fueled many hopes and dreams. Hoover’s wife passed away before they could realize this dream together.

“This is bittersweet for me," said Hoover in an interview following the win. "We always talked about what we would do if we won the lottery. I'm determined to bring some of those ideas to life in her memory."

“We had three children, and my wife was heavily invested in their lives,” he explained. “She liked to take them to parks, any park. My first thought is to have a park named for her.”

The Beaverlodge man says he is also looking into sponsoring some sort of program for local schools and said that’s just the beginning.

“These are all such fresh thoughts,” he said. “I want to make sure I do good things. Using this money and investing in her memory is a way to share this win with her.”

He intends to assist family and friends with some of the winnings.

“After that, I’m going to look at something for myself. I have a friend who lives in the Yukon who’s been asking me to visit. I’m thinking it would be nice to drive up in a classy motorhome,” he laughed.

He won his prize by matching all seven main draw numbers on Jan. 16 – 2, 9, 10, 14, 42, 43 and 44.

Closer to home, a few more millionaires were made in Calgary earlier this week. Three Calgary friends and former co-workers shared a massive $50 million Lotto 6/49 prize from the Dec. 9 draw.

lottery 2Three Calgary friends have split a massive lottery prize that they won. (Photo provided by Western Canada Lottery Corporation (WCLC))

Carmen Austria, Gary Perkins, and Catherine Wall agreed that winning the lottery will bring freedom, peace and joy, but winning with friends was the real prize.

“We’ve been friends for over 20 years and started buying tickets together 17 years ago,” said Perkins during the group’s prize claim interview. “Buying tickets was just a fun thing for us to do; winning together is what makes it so special.”

Not surprisingly, the long-time friends have similar ideas for each of their $16.6 million shares of the win.

“We’re going to share with our families,” said Austria. “I want my family to know they can relax and enjoy their time – I’m going to take care of them!”

“I haven’t been able to get too far past just sharing with family,” Perkins added. “It’s hard to wrap your head around this much money!”

“[Winning] came with so many emotions,” explained Wall. “I don’t think anything prepares you for that much emotion. And now, I just feel happy and grateful – it’s amazing.”

Austria, Perkins, and Wall will go down in history as the first Lotto 6/49 Gold Ball jackpot winners in Alberta, and the Prairies.