Surrey resident Justin Simporios has been revealed as the winner of the largest lottery jackpot in British Columbia’s history — an incredible $80 million from the May 9 Lotto Max draw.
Simporios, who purchased the winning ticket at the Walmart in Central City mall, matched all seven numbers to secure the record-breaking prize. The odds of hitting the jackpot? A staggering 1 in 33,294,800.
In a release from the B.C. Lottery Corporation (BCLC), Simporios described the surreal moment he discovered the life-changing win.
“When I heard the winning ticket was sold in Surrey, I joked to my wife, ‘We’re millionaires,’” he recalled. “She told me to stop making that joke. But when I checked the numbers manually, then scanned the ticket, I cried and shouted, ‘We’re millionaires!’”
While the windfall is life-changing, Simporios says his first priority is helping those closest to him.
“I’ll pay off my sister’s medical school debt and help my mom retire early,” he said. “Just giving my family a head start in life — that’s what excites me most.”
Simporios also expressed a deep desire to give back to the community that supported him during difficult times.
“I’ve struggled before and needed help. If I can give even an ounce of happiness, I want to help where I can. This feels like a dream,” he said.
He plans to use part of the winnings for personal dreams too — including seeing LeBron James play live before retirement and visiting family in the Philippines.
When asked how it feels to be financially set for life, Simporios emphasized what matters most:
“The biggest change will be having more time with my wife and family. We want to live with a purpose, to help the community around us.”