Calgary trio winners of $50 million Lotto 6/49 Gold Ball jackpot

Calgary friends and former colleagues were announced Wednesday by the Western Canada Lottery Corporation (WCLC) as the winners of the $50 million LOTTO 6/49 Gold Ball jackpot.

Carmen Austria, Gary Perkins and Kathryn Wall share the prize they won in the December 9 drawing.

“We've been friends for over 20 years and started buying tickets together 17 years ago,” Perkins said in an interview about the group's award. “Buying tickets was just a fun thing for us; winning together is what makes it special.”

All three plan to spend their $16.6 million share in similar ways, they told WCLC.

“We share with our family,” Austria said. “I want my family to know that they can relax and enjoy their time – I'll take care of them!”

“I just couldn't get over sharing it with my family,” Perkins added. “It's hard to wrap your head around that much money!”

The trio described the victory as “freedom, peace and joy”.

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“(The win) came with a lot of emotions,” Wall explained. “I don't think anything prepares you for that kind of emotion. And now I feel happy and content — it's great.”

Austria purchased the group's winning ticket for $10 at the Scenic Acres Husky at 116 Scenic Acres Blvd., Calgary.

WCLC reports that the winning number for the Dec. 9 Ballon d'Or drawing is 25957733-01 and the group won an extra $2 in the night's EXTRA drawing.

Austria, Perkins and Wall are the first LOTTO 6/49 Gold Ball jackpot winners and Alberta.

LOTTO 6/49 was relaunched in September 2022, WCLC said, offering two multimillion-dollar jackpots in each drawing.

Since the game was renewed in 2022, Albertans have claimed eight $1 million Gold Ball jackpot prizes and won or shared six $5 million Classic Jackpots.

In total, Albertans have claimed $1 million or more in prizes since September 2022, totaling more than $89 million.