'We were just hoping to win $20': Friends split $70 million Lotto Max jackpot

The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation identified the two friends who together bought the $70 million winning Lotto Max ticket.

David Overall, 63, of Oakville and Donna Williamson, 60, of Thornhill, also former colleagues, started playing the lottery together to stay connected after they stopped working together.

After more than 10 years, the dynamic duo hit the big one, winning the massive $70 million jackpot from the Friday, July 31, 2020 LOTTO MAX draw.

The two received their cheque at OLG Play Stage on Friday afternoon.

This was the second time a $70 million prize has been awarded in Ontario.

It was my turn to buy a ticket that week and I considered buying a couple extra for my household, but I decided against it, because it only takes one ticket to win," said Williamson, a retired finance employee. I sent David an email with a scan of our ticket and a caption that said, Here are the numbers for the $70 million. Yabba dabba doo!'"

Overall, who works in the grocery industry, said Williamson used their last Free Play to get the ticket.

We were just hoping to win $20 so we could continue our short-term investment strategy," he said.

Following the draw, Williamson checked their numbers against those posted online.

With each number that matched, I celebrated with a Yay!' But when I got to matching five numbers I started wondering if I was imagining things," she said. I woke up my partner to confirm what I was seeing."

When Donna called David to tell him, he was shocked.

All I could answer was, Get out.' It was surreal," he said.

Overall said he plans to retire and he, along with his wife and children, will discuss what to do with the new-found wealth.

Maybe a cottage is in our future?" he said.

Williamson also said she hasn't had a chance to think about what to do with the money.

And more than 10 days later, it still doesn't feel real," she said. I don't know how you process something like this. Of all the things that are on my list of major life events, winning the lottery was not one of them. It's on a whole other level. I haven't had a chance to think about the future too much. We'd love to travel more when it's safe to so but we're going to take it step by step."

The winning ticket was purchased at Brothers Convenience on Bay Thorn Drive in Thornhill.