LITTLE CURRENT—For Lloyd ‘Buck’ Belanger of Bay Estates, it’s business as usual at his Mardan Glass shop in Little Current after just having won a cool $102,404.50 on January 21.
Mr. Belanger explained that he’s a regular player of the Ontario Lottery and Gaming’s Poker Lotto which sees players ‘dealt’ a hand for $2, an extra dollar if you want to go all-in for a chance at the top prize. On this occasion, at nearby K and T Convenience Store where he plays every day, the extra dollar paid off with the machine recognizing him as a winner as soon as his Royal Flush (all diamonds) was posted to the screen.
He explained that the lottery machine effectively shuts down after a large win with the storeowner awaiting a phone call from OLG. A representative then speaks with the winner, Mr. Belanger, with a special number sequence given to him to be written on his ticket—this provides proof when it’s time to pick up the cheque.
Mr. Belanger has won three $500 prize lots with Poker Lotto before, but this is by far his biggest haul. The nice thing about Poker Lotto, he added, is that there are two chances to win: instantly and through a nightly draw.
He said he and wife Bernie have not made any plans for the money just yet. “My sister wants me to go to Graceland,” he said, noting that he’s a big fan of Elvis. (The family dog, who for many years greeted customers to Mardan Glass and Hawberry Florist, was named in the King’s honour and passed away last year.) This trip, however, will have to wait until the dollar gets back in line, Mr. Belanger said.
“I guess we’ll be able to eat for the year,” he smiled, referencing today’s high cost of groceries.
Mr. Belanger said he was amazed at how quickly word of his win travelled. “I had people telling me they heard it on the Moose, and they’re out of Elliot Lake,” he marvelled.
Mr. Belanger said he is thinking of retiring this year, but he’s not sure just yet. Mardan Glass will still be in the family, though, with son Kelly taking over the reigns.
