Ashmont couple finally checks forgotten LOTTO 6/49 ticket — discovers they’re millionaires

Judy and Dennis Korop have officially claimed $1 million, nearly a year after the winning January 18 draw.

A Routine That Went Off Script

Judy and Dennis Korop have a system: she buys the tickets, he checks them. But this time, the million-dollar winner sat forgotten in Dennis’s pocket for months.

“Judy buys the tickets, and I handle the validation,” Dennis said. “But I had this one in my pocket for a long time, so Judy actually checked it this time.”

Judy handed a stack of tickets to a cashier when the terminal suddenly lit up.

“I went out to the truck and said, ‘This is a winning ticket!’” she said.

A Win at the Right Time

The news caught them completely off guard. Earlier this year, Dennis experienced a major health incident, and the couple said checking tickets simply wasn’t a priority.

“We’ve had other things on our mind,” Judy shared. “This will allow us to take some time though—pay some bills and think about it.”

“We’re looking forward to breathing easier,” Dennis added.

The Lucky Ticket

The Korops bought the winning ticket at the Shoppers Drug Mart on Jasper Avenue in Edmonton. Their January 18 Gold Ball Draw selection — 26396197-01, a white ball — was worth a cool $1 million.

Players have up to one year to claim a LOTTO 6/49 prize, and the Korops slid in just in time, turning an almost-missed opportunity into life-changing news.