Instant ‘Merry Money’ game worth $100,000 to Ajax lottery player

An Ajax grandfather is guaranteed a merry Christmas after winning the $100,000 top prize in the Instant Very Merry Money lottery game.

Angelo Calla said he “thanked the universe” after striking it rich with the scratch card.

“My wife and I were on our way back from visiting a family member when we stopped for gas. I noticed the assortment of holiday tickets and decided to pick one up,” he recalled while visiting the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto to pick up his winnings. “I played my ticket and thought I had won $100. Then I noticed the comma and said, ‘Oh! Wait a minute!’ As a calming feeling washed over me, I thanked the universe for my good fortune.”

Calla is a weekly lottery player who enjoys playing games such as LOTTO MAX, LOTTO 6/49, and POKER LOTTO. During this time of year, he said and his wife also like to try their luck with a variety of holiday-themed INSTANT games.

“I showed my ticket to my wife, saying, ‘Best $5 I’ve ever spent,’” he laughed. “She couldn’t believe it and asked, ‘Is this real?’”

With his windfall, Calla plans to pay some bills, make investments, and take a vacation. “We’ll head up north to Huntsville to spend time with family and friends.”

VERY MERRY MONEY is available for $5 a play and the top prize is $100,000. Odds of winning a prize is 1 in 3.57.

The winning ticket was purchased at Esso/Circle K on Kingston Road East in Ajax.