After nearly 40 years of playing the lottery, a 56-year-old painter from London, Ontario has hit it big with a $3 million ticket.
Like many winners (or people who dream of winning the lottery), Peter Baxted already has plans for at least some of his winnings, including a new home for his family, gifts for his children, investments in his future, and a car that retails for just under $40,000.
“I’ve always wanted the new Dodge Challenger – now I can get that,” said Baxted as he accepted his novelty check at the OLG (Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation) prize center in Toronto. “I am so honored by this incredible win.”
While one might think that a newly minted millionaire would opt for a more luxurious vehicle, Baxted isn’t just smart with his money by buying a sensible car — the Challenger is actually quite a big deal.
“Dodge is resurrecting its controversial muscle car model, the Challenger SRT Demon, as the last special edition vehicle before production of the brand’s current V8 motorcars ends later this year,” NBC reported this week.
“The limited edition drag racing car will be the fastest and most powerful version of the Dodge Challenger ever produced by the automaker. It’s based on a 2018 Challenger SRT Demon model that some have criticized for being overpowered and barely road legal.”
For Baxted, winning the grand prize in OLG’s INSTANT $3,000,000 PRESTIGE game means not only can he get one of those wild cars (some of which appear to come with an optional parachute system), he says he’s “taking a share of that win children can share with me and invest in our future.”
“I like playing SOFORT tickets because of the entertainment value,” said Baxted, who has played the lottery since he was 18, when he collected his prize.
“I stopped at the store on my way home from a night shift when I bought this ticket. I played it in store and immediately saw it was a win – I was shocked! I just wanted to run home and tell my wife that our dream came true. I must have shed tears of joy.”
That store was a Circle K on Hamilton Road, London, and Baxted rushed straight home from there to break the good news to his wife. She was asleep at the time, but didn’t mind being woken up after learning why her husband rushed in so excited.
“She was shocked and after seeing my reaction she wondered what was going on,” Baxted said. “Then she was over the moon and cried tears of joy.”