Earl Giesbrecht Wins $46-Million Lotto 6/49 Jackpot in Manitoba — Lotto 6/49 Winner Manitoba

Earl Giesbrecht became the lotto 6/49 winner manitoba after his May 16 ticket hit a $46-million gold ball jackpot, the biggest Lotto 6/49 prize ever awarded in Manitoba. The 70-year-old semi-retired truck driver learned the size of the win at First Stop Grocers in Whitemouth, about 80 kilometres east of Winnipeg.

He said at a news conference in Winnipeg on Thursday that he first thought he had won $46,000. When the employee checked the ticket, she told him the real amount, and he had to call his brother, who thought he was having a heart attack.

Whitemouth Ticket Check

Giesbrecht said he went into the store to scan tickets after years of playing. The machine showed several losses before one ticket displayed “Free play,” then the other result that made him think he had won $46,000.

“I was disappointed and frustrated that I never win. I went into the store (to scan tickets), and it said, ‘Not a winner,’ ‘Not a winner,’” he said. “And then it said, ‘Free play,’ and the other one came up and I thought I won $46,000.”

Earl Giesbrecht Family Plans

Giesbrecht said he had dreamed about winning for the last 30 years he had been buying tickets. He became emotional talking about the prize and wiped away tears while describing what it could do for his family.

“I’ve dreamt about this for the last 30 years I’ve been buying tickets,” he said. “It’s a very unreal feeling.”

His thoughts went straight to his children and grandchildren, he said, adding that he wanted to help them in life. He was at his son and daughter-in-law’s wedding when the draw was held on May 16.

“My thoughts went to my children and my grandchildren right away, that I would help them in life. That’s more important than anything else,” he said.