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When a group of 15 coworkers at Foy’s Irish Bar in Vancouver decided to buy some lottery tickets together, they never could have imagined it paying off so quickly.
“This is the first time we ever played together,” explained James Browne, who coordinated the lottery purchase on behalf of the large group.
Since Browne coordinated it all, he was the one who got to break the news to his pals when they won a $1-million jackpot from the Lotto Max draw on Aug. 16.
“I scanned the first few tickets on my BCLC Lotto! App, and won $20,” recalled Browne. “The last ticket was the big winner. I walked down to Kingsgate Mall to double check the ticket as I needed to make sure.”
Once their win was officially confirmed, Browne texted the work group chat to share the good news and was met with disbelief.
He said it took everyone “a good 20 minutes” to believe the win was real.
Browne says most of the group is from Ireland and currently living away from their families, which made the win even more special.
They all celebrated together at Foy’s Irish Bar, where they work, but they’re planning another celebration of the win in the near future.
The winning ticket was purchased by Browne at the Circle-K at Davie Street and Bidwell Street in Vancouver.