Kenneth Birch didn't know it at the time, but the Lotto 6/49 ticket he bought at the Lone Butte General Store was worth $1 million.
The Lone Butte resident bought the ticket along with several others during the Saturday, May 17 draw. When he realized he had the winning ticket, number 08368314-02, he was shocked.
“I couldn’t believe it when I found out that I won,” Birch recalled. “I scanned it first and then had them scan it to tell me if it was right or not.”
Birch said he told his wife the good news first and at first she didn't believe him. After showing her the winning ticket, Birch said she believed him and was happy for his win.
To celebrate his good fortune, Birch plans to go on a cruise with his wife and take her out for a birthday dinner where he'll buy her whatever she wants. He also said he'd like to treat himself to a new Ford truck.
When asked how it feels to be a millionaire, Birch remarked, “it hasn’t really hit me yet!”
According to the B.C. Lottery Corporation lottery players like Birch have redeemed more than $24 million in winnings from Lotto 6/49 since the start of 2025. Lotto 6/40 is a nationwide lottery game played on every Wednesday and Saturday after 7:30 p.m.
So far in 2025, B.C. lottery players have redeemed more than $24 million in winnings from Lotto 6/49. The Gold Ball Draw is a guaranteed prize draw where players will win either the Guaranteed Prize of $1 million, or the growing Gold Ball Jackpot that starts at $10 million. The Classic Jackpot offers a prize that is always $5 million.
