Brampton man wins $70M Lotto Max jackpot

A man from Brampton is Ontario's newest multi-millionaire after winning a massive Lotto Max jackpot from December.

The OLG says Manoharan Ponnuthurai won the $70 million grand prize from the Dec. 17 draw.

Because of COVID-19 restrictions, the OLG wasn't able to hold a traditional winner's photo opportunity and instead released a pre-recorded interview with Ponnuthurai receiving his big cheque.

I checked the ticket, and one, two, three, four numbers, I'm so shaky and I couldn't continue," said Ponnuthurai. He says he asked his wife and kids to come and check the numbers with him, and were so excited when they realized they'd won.

Ponnuthurai says he plans to buy a new home and travel more with his family.

He said he'd love to visit Europe and travel to beachside destinations.

I've got everything. I feel like everything, I have now. What I wanted. My dream come true."

Ivy Mak is a team editor on the Star's breaking news desk, based in Toronto. Reach her via email: ivymak@thestar.ca