Solo success: Saskatoon man's single ticket wins $5M lotto jackpot

Curtis Mooney is flying high on Blue Monday.

On what’s said to be the most depressing day for countries in the Northern Hemisphere, Mooney smiled wide for cameras as he picked up a giant cheque for $5 million.

“This is definitely going to help a lot of people in my life right now, and I’m definitely looking forward to sharing with them,” he said.

Mooney, Saskatoon’s newest millionaire, answered media questions during a news conference in the city Monday.

 “Forty-five and single – but not for long I don’t think!” he joked, after reporters asked his age.

Mooney’s luck actually struck on Aug. 31, 2016, when the numbers on his ticket were the only match for a $5-million Lotto 6/49 prize. 

The Saskatoon man said he started buying lottery tickets after his father encouraged him to put money he’d otherwise use for snacks, towards something bigger.

“For years I thought, ‘Okay, I could’ve walked away with a bag of Doritos, but I got this lottery ticket instead,’” he said.   

While people were left wondering about Saskatoon’s mystery millionaire for months – including Mooney’s dad – the winner wasn’t even aware of the outstanding jackpot. The 45 year old even admitted it often takes him months to check tickets.

On Dec. 30, Mooney’s dad told him no one had come forward to claim a $5-million prize belonging to a Saskatoon ticket.

“I remember thinking… ‘No, that’s not going to be me. It’d be nice to think about, but that’s not going to be me,’” he said.  

Mooney’s father couldn’t stand not knowing any longer, and decided to come over early New Year’s Eve to see if any tickets were winners.   

“He started checking the computer, and started matching up some numbers, and then he was like, ‘You won $5 million,’” Mooney said.

The new millionaire was candid about his reaction, saying he could manage to say “wow” as the news sunk in around 7 a.m. on Dec. 31.

Mooney he doesn’t anticipate any major changes to his life now that he’s a millionaire, adding he’s a “low-key guy.”

“It’s still a little overwhelming, so I haven’t made any concrete plans – but anything is possible,” he said.

Mooney’s winning numbers were 8, 10, 17, 36, 39, and 44, with a bonus number of 40.

He bought the ticket from the 7-Eleven at 835 Broadway Avenue in Saskatoon.