Lottery ticket gift turns into big win for North Bay woman

Lois Chornaby of North Bay won lottery scratch ticket game. (Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation)

Recently, a North Bay woman received a lottery scratch ticket for her birthday from a friend and it turned out to be a big winner.

Lois Chornaby of North Bay won $250,000 playing the instant lottery scratch ticket game Bingo Multiplier.

Chornaby, a retired mother and grandmother, said she's been a regular lottery player for more than 20 years, but this is her first big win.

She said she was chatting with a friend while scratching her ticket, which was a late birthday gift from a friend.

"I noticed I had a line and when I scratched the last number, I realized I had something. I whispered, 'I think I won $250,000!'" Chornaby is quoted as saying in a news release on Wednesday.

"I started to shake with excitement - we celebrated all night!"

She said it was an amazing moment to celebrate with the friend who had bought her the ticket.

For now, Chornaby plans to treat herself to a traditional Indigenous bear carving she's always wanted, but is putting her win aside for now.

"I'm too wrapped up in excitement to make any decisions," she said.

The winning ticket was purchased at Giant Tiger on Dundas Street in Woodstock.

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