News writer
Winning the lottery is always a big deal, but one Canadian man turned his million-dollar moment into a show worthy of the spotlight. After years of playing Lotto Max, he finally struck gold, though the real twist came when it was time to claim his prize.
Instead of arriving in everyday attire, he made an entrance that had everyone talking, with a look inspired by none other than the King of Rock ’n’ Roll himself. From suspicious minds to a whole lot of gratitude, his win became more than just a lucky ticket; it became a performance.
‘Thank you, thank you very much’
A Canadian man won $1 million playing Lotto Max. Then, he showed up to claim his prize wearing a white Elvis Presley-style jumpsuit, including the red scarf.
However, none of this could have happened, as it started with a suspicious mind after scanning his ticket in the store.
The big winner, Peter Woloshyn, told lottery officials, “I had the cashier check it as well because I thought maybe it was just $10,000.”
While he was relaxed in that moment, it didn’t last long. He told lottery officials, “I was pretty calm at the time, but I was nervous once I got home knowing I had to keep the ticket safe.”
Now that he has claimed his $1 million winning ticket, he is saying, “Thank you, thank you very much.”
Why Elvis?
Before taking part in his prize claim interview, Woloshyn called the Western Canada Lottery Corporation and asked if he had to dress up.
“They said no, and that I just couldn’t wear a disguise,” Woloshyn said. “So, I talked with my son and his girlfriend and got them to order me an Elvis costume to wear.”
When lottery officials asked him why Elvis, he said, “Why not?”
‘Don’t Be Cruel’
Now that Woloshyn, who bought the winning ticket at the IGA in Devon, has his money in hand, he told lottery officials he won’t be cruel and instead, he will share it with his kids. The rest he will save for retirement.
The longtime Lotto Max player was excited for the win, saying, “It just feels great. After playing Lotto Max all these years, it’s great to have a big win.”
Not the first costume worn to collect winnings
In the United States, some states allow lottery winners to claim their winnings anonymously, so no costumes or masks would be needed. However, it has happened, with a winner in Virginia covering their face with a mask.
Also, since COVID introduced masks to people, a lot of winners have worn those for their photos, helping to hide their identity somewhat. In addition, some of the big Mega Millions and Powerball winners have claimed their prizes under a trust, so they stay anonymous while a representative of the trust claims the money.
We have also seen winners in Jamaica and China claim their winnings in everything from a Ghostface costume from the Scream movies to yellow mascot and Darth Vader costumes.
The reason? As Lottery USA previously reported, these winners wanted to keep their big win private and remain anonymous. The winner in China said he wanted to keep the win a secret from his family and in-laws.
For people in Jamaica, officials said it could be a preemptive way to ward off potential crime. The winners are afraid to show their faces and have it broadcast on television or the internet. Officials said “crime is rampant in the country,” so these lottery winners are trying to keep themselves safe.
Enjoy playing the lottery, and please remember to play responsibly.
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