Group of 9 claim winning $60 million Lotto Max ticket sold in Guelph

A group of nine co-workers at a manufacturing plant in Guelph have quit their jobs after winning the $60 million Lotto Max jackpot.

All nine employees worked the same production line on the same shift at Linamar Corporation and started playing the lottery together over the last two months when the jackpot hit $60 million.

On Dec. 21, they struck gold and Fernando Meneses was the first to find out about their big win when he scanned the ticket the next morning.

“I couldn’t believe it,” he said during a news conference in Toronto on Thursday.

“Imagine — five times I scanned because I wanted to hear that ’60 million, big winner’ it was showing.”

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The winners include eight immigrants, hailing from parts of the Middle East, South East Asia and Africa, and their ages range from 21 to 57.

Plans for the money include new vehicles, new homes and vacations.

“I’ve been in Canada for less than a year and so far I’ve only known work — I’m excited to explore the country,” said one winner, Bassam Abdi.

BELOW: Guelph auto workers say they quit after winning $60M LottoMax ticket

0:51 Guelph auto workers say they quit after winning $60M LottoMax ticket

Another winner, Tariku Birru has always dreamed of opening an Ethiopian restaurant, while Sampath Pathiraja Mudiyansel will be investing in a coconut plantation in his home country of Sri Lanka.

The group said they have each handed in their resignations, including 21-year-old Ella Nicole Cabrera who plans to continue her studies in accounting.

“It’s for myself,” she joked, while adding she plans to invest in a house and pay off her parents’ debts. “They couldn’t believe it, they were crying and thanking me.”

BELOW: 21-year-old plans to help pay parents’ debts with $60M LottoMax ticket payout

2:01 21-year-old plans to help pay parents’ debts with $60M LottoMax ticket payout

The winning ticket was purchased at Little Short Stop Store on Silvercreek Parkway in Guelph.