In an incredible stroke of luck, Matthew Tannas from Hamiota, Manitoba, checked his lottery app late one night after a demanding shift and discovered he had snagged a staggering $40 million! To confirm he wasn't dreaming, he rushed to his brother’s house, seeking reassurance from someone he trusted.

Once the win was verified on December 3, Tannas excitedly dashed over to his wife’s workplace to share the momentous news. Initially thinking they had won a more modest $40,000, her joy quickly transformed into emotional disbelief as she processed the sheer scale of their winnings, leading to a few joyful tears.

Tannas revealed that he purchased the winning ticket via the Lotto Spot app while on a work trip in Alberta. His $40 million windfall was half of an $80 million jackpot, which was shared with another lucky winner in Quebec who matched all seven numbers.

Despite the life-changing amount of money, Tannas describes his plans for the future as “boring.” He has no intention of retiring, as he is devoted to his career as a full-time fire paramedic and a part-time big game guide. The victory will, however, ease the financial burdens of his three children’s education, as one is in high school and two are in university. Tannas also plans to assist his nieces and nephews in a similar manner.

His son, motivated by summer savings, dreams of purchasing his own truck, while his daughter has her sights set on restoring a beloved 1998 Jeep named Dolly. “We’re going to look into getting it restored fully,” he shared.

While Tannas is thrilled about his newfound wealth, he is also wary of the potential downsides, particularly around privacy concerns. He chose not to publicly disclose the names of his children or wife to shield them from unsolicited financial requests. “It’s exciting, but stressful,” Tannas remarked, acknowledging the complexities that accompany such a windfall.

Having recently built a new home, Tannas has no desire to relocate from Hamiota. Interestingly, he is now the second major jackpot winner from this small municipality, as local resident Jeff Morton previously won $10 million in 2021. Tannas expressed interest in connecting with Morton to learn about the challenges that accompany such a sudden change in fortune.

With this $40 million win marking the fourth-largest jackpot in Manitoba's history, Tannas joins an elite group of Manitoba millionaires, including the Brandon couple Carol and Blaine Sangster and Winnipeg's own Jim Bester, both of whom also secured $1 million Lotto Max prizes last month.

As Tannas embarks on this new chapter in his life, he emphasizes that while the money is life-altering, it’s the stability and support it brings to his family that means the most. So, for those dreaming of a big win, Tannas's story is a potent reminder: sometimes, even a lottery jackpot cannot replace the joys of family and the routines of everyday life—no matter how "boring" that may sound!