Bathroom break leads to $16 million surprise

Apr 23, 2020 | 1:09 PM

B.C.’s newest multi millionaire found out he won his jackpot while in the washroom.

That’s where Tibor Tusnady was checking the results from the April 15 Lotto 6/49.

“I Googled the numbers,” said Tusnady, a resident of White Rock. “I took my ticket out and checked and just went blank. I tried to take a deep breath, let it register, and went back and checked again and again.”

After confirming he had matched all six numbers to win the $16-million jackpot, Tusnady froze. He didn’t know how to tell his spouse. He even took the night to sleep on it.

“Eventually, we fell asleep,” said Tusnady. “The next day, after lunch, I held her hand and said ‘Look, I have something to tell you and I don’t want anything to change with us.’”

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After telling her the great news, Tusnady held video meetings to tell relatives across Canada and in Hungary, followed by a toast with champagne.

He said travel will be on the family’s mind once the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is resolved. He will let his spouse decide the first travel destination, but promises it will be first class all the way.

Tusnady purchased the winning at the Elgin Esso on Crescent Road in Surrey, and claimed his life-changing prize through BCLC’s alternate prize claim process.

by Pete McIntyre/BC Lotteries

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