A Familiar Stroke of Luck for Nancy and Robert Whitten
Nancy and Robert Whitten of Burlington, Ontario, are proving that lightning really can strike twice—at least when it comes to the lottery. The retired couple recently won $100,000 in the Encore draw tied to the Lotto 6/49 on December 21, 2024. What makes their story even more incredible is that this is the second time they’ve taken home the exact same amount.
Table of Contents
Repeating History: Second $100,000 Win After 12 Years
The Whittens, who have been married for over four decades, are still wrapping their heads around the coincidence. Their first big win happened back in 2012, when they claimed $100,000 from an Instant Crossword ticket. Now, in 2024, they’re reliving that excitement all over again.
“It was hard to believe we’d won a second time,” said Robert, who revisited the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto with his wife Nancy to collect their prize.
A Surprise Discovery at Home
This time around, it was Nancy who discovered the winning ticket.
“We were at home together when I scanned our Lotto 6/49 ticket using the OLG app,” she explained. “Robert was sitting right beside me. I scanned the ticket and just stared at it. I checked it three times—I couldn’t believe it.”
Sharing the News and Celebrating the Moment
The first person they called? Their son.
“We told our son, and he was so excited for us,” said Robert. “He couldn’t believe it either.”
The couple, who are proud grandparents, shared the joy with family before beginning to think about how they would use the money.
Plans for the Prize: Practical and Long-Awaited
The Whittens plan to use the windfall wisely, with a few long-standing projects and needs finally getting attention.
“We’ve got some bills to pay, and there’s a bathroom that’s needed renovating for quite some time,” they shared. “It’s a great feeling and really helps take some of life’s pressures off.”
The Winning Ticket and How Encore Works
Their winning ticket was purchased at Reddy’s Convenience on Lakeshore Road in Burlington. The couple matched the last six of the seven Encore numbers — 4789872 — to claim the prize.
Encore is a bonus add-on game available with most lottery purchases for an additional $1. Players are given a random seven-digit number, and matching various positions of that number can result in cash prizes. There are two Encore draws each day.
Weekend Lottery Win Makes Lotto 6/49 Player a Multimillionaire
$100,000 Winning Lottery Ticket Sold in Brampton Nears Expiration
23-Year-Old Brampton Man Hits the Jackpot with His First-Ever Lottery Ticket
Three Lottery Winners Share $1 Million Here’s How They Plan to Spend It
Welland Resident’s Lottery Win Under OLG Insider Rules Review
A Word on Responsible Gambling
While stories like the Whittens’ are uplifting, it’s important to remember that lottery play should be fun and within personal limits. For those who feel they need a break, self-exclusion programs and other responsible gambling tools are available across Canada.