Kathryn Jones, from Hamilton, Ont., displays a promotional cheque for the $50 million she won from a lost ticket, as she speaks to the media at OLG's offices in Toronto on Tuesday, January 7, 2014. Jones won $50-million from the November 30, 2012 Lotto Max draw, but didn't realize that she won until representatives from OLG tracked her down and knocked on her door. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young
January 07, 2014 - 8:14 AM
TORONTO - A Hamilton woman says finally getting her $50-million lottery prize more than a year after the draw has been a "weird and wonderful journey."
Kathryn Jones, 54, had lost her Lotto Max ticket and didn't even know she won the Nov. 30, 2012 draw until lottery officials contacted her.
Today, after the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation finished an extensive investigation, Jones was handed her winnings.
Lottery officials announced her as the identified winner of the prize last month, calling her case "one of the most unique in OLG's history.''
The prize had remained unclaimed for close to a year, but after OLG carried out its "Lost Ticket Prize Claim'' process, she was found to be rightful winner.
The prize was then held for another 30 days, as part of OLG policy, because it was determined Jones's sister owns a retail outlet in the Ottawa area where lottery tickets are sold.
Jones says the whole process has been like a "slow burn" but it has given her and her family the whole holiday season to think about the windfall and start making plans for their future.
"Time has given us the chance to reflect on this weird and wonderful journey," she said, speaking of her 54-year-old husband and their two university-aged children.
"In the end, I can truly say that my overwhelming sentiment is gratefulness ... I'm thankful to OLG and the initiative they took to award us this life-changing prize."
News from © The Canadian Press, 2014