After playing the lottery for over 30 years, two lifelong friends from Thunder Bay, Ontario, are celebrating their big win. Werner Maute and Daniel Kukko, former coworkers who remained close over the years, are now $1 million richer, thanks to their lucky ticket in the September 4, 2024 Lotto 6/49 draw.
Longtime Friendship, Longtime Lottery Habit
Maute and Kukko have been playing the lottery together for decades. The two men, who often choose Lotto 6/49 and Lotto Max, have stayed connected through their shared habit of buying tickets. Kukko, who takes on the responsibility of purchasing the tickets, recalls a moment of disbelief when he checked their Lotto 6/49 ticket using the OLG app.
“I saw a bunch of zeros and commas,” Kukko said. “I had to double-check, then showed my family to make sure I wasn’t seeing things. Then I sent a screenshot to Werner.”
The Big Surprise and Celebrating from Afar
Maute, who was vacationing in Germany at the time, received the screenshot with the news that they had won $1 million. His initial reaction was one of disbelief, but it quickly turned to joy.
“I was wowed for a few seconds, and then I was overcome with joy,” Maute said. “I called Daniel, and I said, ‘I hope this is real because this is one expensive phone call!’”
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What’s Next for the Lottery Winners
Both Maute and Kukko plan to make the most of their newfound wealth. Maute intends to share his portion with his child, make improvements to his home, and take another vacation. Kukko, on the other hand, plans to share his winnings with his children, pay off bills, travel, and finally retire.
“I used to joke with my family that someone’s going to win the lottery, but it won’t be you,” Maute laughed. “Now they say, ‘Someone’s going to win the lottery, and it won’t be us because it’s you!’”