It was the most checks for $1 million+ awarded to Québec players in a single day

By Kate Northrop

Montréal, Canada — An astounding 49 lottery players have split a $55 million (US$ 39.3 million) Lotto Max jackpot in a win that had the Québec Lottery breaking a record for the greatest number of million-dollar checks handed out in a single day.

The Aug. 21 Lotto Max drawing went down in history when 49 players won a share of that evening's $55 million jackpot.

The incredible part? Most of them didn't know each other.

It's because the 49 winners had purchased a share of the winning ticket on the Loto-Québec website as part of the Formule groupe, an online play method that allows players to purchase one or more shares of a ticket in a lottery group and pool them with other group members.

When the winning numbers 1, 4, 15, 18, 24, 25, and 51 were drawn, they matched the ones on the same ticket that this group had jointly purchased.

"It's incredible to think that 49 families here in Québec will enjoy part of this jackpot," Loto-Québec Executive Vice President and COO of Lottery Games Isabelle Jean said in a press release. "Loto-Québec generates significant spinoffs for the community, in addition to the money paid out to lottery winners. This summer alone, dozens of Quebecers shared jackpots of $25 million, $40 million and $55 million, becoming millionaires in the process. We're so proud of this contribution."

All 49 newly minted millionaires gathered at Lottery headquarters in Montréal on Sept. 1 to receive their share of the prize, making Loto-Québec history in that it was the highest number of checks worth more than a million dollars that they'd ever handed out in one day.

According to the Lottery, the winners hailed from regions across the province, from Outaouais to the Côte-Nord.

Some of the winners discovered the win when the Lottery had reached out to notify them. Lottery officials received a wide breadth of reactions, from overjoyed laughter to shock and disbelief to happy tears.

"Every emotion was on display," the Lottery said.

One of the winners, Laurentides resident François B., bought his share of the ticket just minutes before the draw. He found out about the win when he checked the results the following morning.

"My heart skipped a beat!" he recalled. With his portion of the jackpot, he plans on purchasing a more luxurious vehicle and spoiling his children.

Life was thrown off balance when Côte-Nord resident Jacques V. became aware of the win.

"I had two sleepless nights," he explained to Lottery staff. "It's hard to believe, but it feels good!"

Estrie resident Serge H. said he "had a moment" when he realized that the prize amount in his online Lottery account was his own share of the $55 million jackpot, rather than an amount to be divided among all 49 group members.

Lastly, Michel Charly B. of Capitale-Nationale arguably had the best first-time experience purchasing a group ticket. He couldn't believe it was the first time he had ever tried the play method and won such a large amount, but he intends to continue working.

The Formule groupe online group play method allows players to buy shares for tickets in Lotto Max, Québec Max, Lotto 6/49, Québec 49, and Extra. Players can purchase a maximum number of shares that ranges from 2 to 100, with the final number of shares depending on the number sold.

The Lotto Max jackpot currently stands at $50 million (US$35.7 million) for the next drawing on Friday, Sept. 18. Lotto Max drawings take place every Tuesday and Friday at 10:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

All winning numbers, prizes, and odds are published on Lottery Post's Multi-Province Lottery Results page right after each drawing.