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19 Quebecers won Lotto 6/49’s $5 million jackpot and their group name is extremely ironic

<img src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/two-people-shake-hands-in-a-room-decorated-with-balloons.png?id=53780859&width=1200&height=800&coordinates=29%2C0%2C235%2C0"/><br/><br/><p>How often do you experience something unforgettable with a group of total strangers? For most of us, the closest we get is sharing a funny moment on public transit. But 19 Quebecers, who had never met each other before, can now say they've <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/revenu-quebec-lotto-649-prize" target="_blank" rel="noopener">won the lottery</a> together, splitting a <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/lotto-max-winning-numbers-september-10-2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$5 million jackpot</a>.</p><p>In the September 18 <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/loto-quebec-lotto-649-jackpot-winners" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lotto 6/49 draw</a>, these lucky players scooped up the Classic Jackpot thanks to a <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/a-group-of-100-quebec-max-winners-will-split-the-1-million-jackpot" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Formule groupe</em> ticket</a> purchased online. Each member of this pool gets to pocket a sweet $250,000 — but one Montrealer, Alain Richard, had a little extra luck. He bought two shares, walking away with $500,000. </p><p>"It’s good timing," Richard told <a href="https://societe.lotoquebec.com/en/media-and-partners/press-releases/2024/octobre/gagnants-groupe-du-vendredi-13-lotto-649-2024-10-04" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Loto-Québec</a> after the win. Then again, is there ever a bad time to be handed half-a-million dollars?</p><p>In some ways, this victory is the ultimate twist of fate. Raynald Cusson, from Centre-du-Québec, playfully named the group the “Friday the 13th group” after the infamous superstition. However, rather than experiencing bad luck, the group ended up winning a free ticket in the September 14 draw, which helped them snag the $5 million jackpot. </p><p>But Cusson isn't the only one with an incredible story to tell.</p><p>Thirty-year-old Jérémie Gagnon from Montérégie is starting a new professional journey, and for him, the timing couldn’t be better. The $250,000 gives him a cushion as he embarks on this new path. </p><p>Meanwhile, Anik Forest from Laurentides was in the middle of a power outage when Loto-Québec called her with the news of her win. As if on cue, the power came back on just as she found out she was $250,000 richer — an electrifying moment in every sense of the word.</p><p>The winners come from all over the province, including Capitale-Nationale, Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, Laurentides, and Montreal. They finally got the chance to meet at the Loto-Québec office when they received their prize.</p><p>This marks the seventh Lotto 6/49 jackpot win in Quebec over the past few months, according to Loto-Québec. With over 90 prizes of $1 million or more already awarded in 2024, the province seems to be on a serious lucky streak. If you were thinking about grabbing a lottery ticket, now might just be the perfect time! </p><p><em>If you or someone you know is struggling with problem gambling, refer to <a href="https://aidejeu.ca/en/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">these resources available across Quebec</a>. Help is available.</em></p><p><em>AI tools may have been used to support the creation or distribution of this content; however, it has been carefully edited and fact-checked by a member of MTL Blog's Editorial team. For more information on our use of AI, please visit our <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/editorial-standards" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Editorial Standards page</a>.</em></p>