Matthew Labrie was looking through his Christmas decorations on Nov. 29 when he found an old 2023 lottery ticket he had received as a gift almost a year ago.

After scratching the ticket, the 30-year-old from Montreal checked it using the Loto-Québec mobile app and discovered he had won $50,000.

"When Labrie contacted Lotto Quebec, he had exactly 39 days to claim his prize," the state-owned company said in a statement.

The winning ticket was purchased on January 8, 2023 in Couche-Tard, east of Montreal. He doubted that he really won and even asked his neighbors to check his ticket.

Taking this money this Christmas, he said he wants to renovate his house and make a good holiday for his children and wife.

Loto-Québec reminded people to check their lottery tickets using the mobile app or by visiting lotoquebec.com.

news source