David Hatt of Kingston, Ontario, is the province’s newest multi-millionaire — and he’s already thinking about how to use his windfall to uplift others. Hatt won a staggering $75 million in the August 19 Lotto Max draw, the largest jackpot ever claimed in Ontario and the second biggest in Canadian history.
Hatt discovered his life-changing win in an unlikely place: a drive-thru line while waiting for his morning coffee. After checking his ticket on the OLG app, he initially thought he’d won $75,000 — until he took a closer look. “It wasn’t until I noticed all those zeros that it hit me,” he said.
The married father of two rushed home to share the news with his wife. “I told her to sit down,” he recalled. “She asked, ‘Is that $75 million?’ and I said ‘Yes’ — loudly.”
Beyond personal dreams of buying a special family home and planning a European adventure, Hatt says his top priority is giving back. “We can help so many people with this amount of money,” he said. “It’s not about helping one charity, but about reaching as many people as possible for the longest amount of time.”
Hatt has spent recent weeks consulting professionals, reflecting on his family’s goals, and planning how to manage the massive prize responsibly. He’s also indulging in a few personal treats — including a new set of golf clubs to enjoy with his children.
The winning ticket was purchased at Pioneer/Snack Express on Bath Road in Kingston. As Hatt put it, the reality of having $75 million “will take years to sink in,” but he’s determined to make the most of it — not just for his family, but for his community.