The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) paid one half, $3,073,361.30, of the $6,146,722.60 LOTTO 6/49 prize from the Sept. 20, 2017 draw to Maurice Thibeault of Leamington.
He picked up his cheque from the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto on Jan. 4.
OLG completed its prize claim review of this lottery ticket and verified that Thibeault purchased the ticket in question.
The corporation will seek to pay the other half of the prize, which is in dispute, into court on or about Jan. 15 unless the parties resolve the matter privately or choose to take part in the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario’s lottery dispute arbitration process.
Thibeault was living with Denise Robertson at the time he bought the ticket and realized it was a winner. As previously reported, he did not inform Robertson of the winning ticket and left her a few days later.
Robertson obtained a lawyer and is fighting for half of the winnings, as the couple rotated each week buying tickets with the intention of sharing if a winning ticket was purchased.
OLG’s prize claim review process is in place to ensure OLG pays the right prize to the right person. OLG is committed to protecting customers and maintaining the fairness and integrity of lottery games in the Province of Ontario.
The winning ticket was purchased at Lucky 7 Variety on McNaughton Avenue in Chatham.
