‘Nothing planned right now’: New multimillionaire keeping calm after huge lottery win
Posted Oct 31, 2019 5:03 pm.
Last Updated Oct 31, 2019 5:06 pm.
CALGARY (660 NEWS) — What would you do with $65 million?
When it comes to Calgary’s newest multimillionaire, that will take some time to figure out.
“Nothing planned right now,” said Tai Trinh, who was revealed on Thursday to be the winner of the October 4th LOTTO MAX jackpot.
Trinh was introduced at an event hosted by the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission, and presented with the check for his winnings.
But Trinh kept very calm throughout and rarely smiling, as he said the money is going into the bank for right now.
First, he had to keep it a secret.
“I don’t know how he was able to do it, but Tai was able to keep his unbelievable windfall a secret from family and friends until just recently,” said AGLC President and CEO Alain Maisonneuve.
Unbelievable is correct, as this is the largest ever lottery jackpot in Alberta’s history — and the first time since 2016 that an Albertan has taken one of these prizes.
Trinh purchased his winning Quick Picks ticket at the Country Hills Shell in northeast Calgary, with the winning numbers of 20, 31, 35, 36, 39, 42, and 44.
Every day, Trinh would go in and purchase a coffee and a ticket, and even though he has had some small winnings before, this one took a bit of time to process.
“I checked the first time, I saw (the result), then I double-checked again, and then I go to take the printout and double-checked,” said Trinh. “I took a few days and then I called the WCLC.”
Trinh immigrated to Canada from Vietnam in the 1980s, and while he did say his wife passed away three years ago, he didn’t elaborate on the rest of his family.
Trinh is also a retiree, noting he hasn’t cashed in any of his benefits yet either.
Despite a lack of immediate plans, Trinh did note in a news release that it will make life easier.
It is also a momentous win in the fact Trinh is the 200th winner from the Prairies and Territories in the 10-year history of LOTTO MAX.
But Calgarians should also double-check their old tickets, as a $50 million winner from the August 30th draw has still not been claimed.
The numbers on that winner are: 5, 9, 33, 36, 39, 41, and 44.
