A self-described Toronto dog dad who bought a lottery scratch ticket on River Street was left speechless this week after winning $250,000.
Bartolome "Bart" Gonzales couldn't believe he took home the top prize playing Instant Crossword Deluxe.
“My heart is so full,” Gonzales said in a press release. “This win gives me the opportunity to share with and help my family. They’ve helped me over the years and now it’s my turn to take care of them. I will also use some of my win to travel and visit my sisters.”
Gonzales said he's been a regular lottery player for more than a decade.
“I had forgotten about this particular ticket and decided to take it to the store. I used the ticket checker and immediately saw the ‘Big Winner’ message on the screen," Gonzales told lottery officials when he picked up his prize. "In that moment, I was shocked and didn’t believe what I was seeing.”
“I left that store and rushed to another to scan my ticket again," he described. "I wanted to make sure it was true!"
"When I saw the same message on the ticket checker, I couldn’t speak. My brain was frozen," Gonzales said. “The storekeepers were asking me questions, but I couldn’t find the words!”
Instant Crossword Deluxe costs $10 per play.
The winning ticket was purchased at Sam’s Food Stores on River Street in Toronto.
“I feel amazing! It’s like I’m floating among the stars,” Gonzales said.
