Sometimes winning the lottery isn’t just about the money—it’s about how you share the moment. That’s exactly what one Ontario dad did after landing a big win.
Michael “Mike” Walsh, a 65-year-old from Brantford, scored $100,000 in the Lotto Max Encore draw on February 3, 2026. He matched six of the seven Encore numbers in the exact order—something he’d been hoping for after 40 years of playing and always adding Encore to his tickets.
The Moment It Hit Him
Mike discovered his win during a break at work while checking his ticket on the app.
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“My heart skipped a beat,” he said
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He had to look twice to believe it
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His hands were shaking as the number stared back at him
Safe to say—it didn’t feel real at first.
A Surprise His Wife Will Never Forget
Instead of blurting out the news, Mike got creative.
When he got home, he set out two glasses of wine and waited. As soon as his wife walked in, she asked what they were celebrating.
That’s when he dropped the news: he’d won the lottery.
Her reaction?
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Total shock
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Pure joy
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Complete disbelief
Mike said that moment—seeing her happiness—meant everything.
Turning It Into a Family Celebration
But he didn’t stop there.
Later that week, Mike planned a fun reveal for his kids and grandkids during a family dinner. He went all out with number-shaped balloons spelling “$100,000.”
Here’s how it played out:
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Each grandchild walked in holding a balloon
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The room filled with confusion at first
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One of his kids finally asked, “Did you win the lottery?”
Mike calmly said… “Yes.”
For a split second—silence.
Then came the reactions: wide eyes, gasps, laughter, hugs.
A moment they’ll all remember forever.
More Than Just the Money
For Mike, the win wasn’t just about cash—it was about sharing happiness with the people he loves most.
He plans to:
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Save for retirement
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Invest for the future
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And give some love to his classic 1965 Mustang
The lucky ticket was picked up at a local shop in Brantford, making the win even more special for the hometown player.
In the end, it wasn’t just a win—it was a memory-making moment for the whole family.
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