Advertisement

Alberta man ‘splits’ $5M lotto prize with himself after accidentally buying double tickets

Andrew Burke, of Calmar, Alta., had to "split" a $5 million Lotto 6-49 prize with himself after he accidentally bought two tickets. Western Canada Lottery Corp.

An Alberta man who won a $5-million Lotto 6-49 jackpot last month had to share the prize with himself after accidentally buying two tickets on the same draw.

Andrew Burke of Calmar, Alta., used the same numbers on both tickets, so he was able to take home the entire Sept. 16 windfall.

Burke says he has been playing the lottery for years, but figures he’s won enough to retire now and give someone else a chance.

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

He says he wants to do some renovations on his house, restore a vintage Land Rover he owns, and maybe take a trip back home to the United Kingdom when travel is safer.

He bought the tickets at a gas station in Calmar, just south of Edmonton, where he’s a regular.

Story continues below advertisement

It’s also where he found about his double win, much to the excitement of the owner and his employees.

“The owner walked in and said, ‘What have you done Andy? Have you broken my machine?'” Burke recalled in a news release Tuesday from the Western Canada Lottery Corp.

“The clerk then told me, ‘You’ve won $2.5 million’ and I said she better check that other ticket, because it’s the same numbers!”

Sponsored content

AdChoices