Many store owners dream of making a lot of money with their business.
Blair Knutson did it the unconventional way — he bought a Lotto 6/49 ticket from the grocery store he owns in Gimli, Man.
The purchase made the owner of G & C Grocery $16 million richer.
In case that raised any eyebrows, officials with the Western Canada Lottery Corp. quickly announced they have conducted a mandatory investigation and have determined Knutson is the rightful winner.
"I'm pretty honest, so I wasn't worried," Knutson told reporters at a news conference in downtown Winnipeg on Tuesday.
Knutson's case wasn't unique. All wins are subject to review, but retailers who win undergo extra scrutiny, said Andrea Marantz of the Western Canada Lottery Corp.
The process was sparked by reports of fraud in 2006 that tarnished lottery systems in Ontario and the Maritimes.
When the winner is a lottery ticket vendor, Marantz said they look into the person's history, such as whether they've won prizes with the lottery before.
Another part of the process is a sort of cross-examination to confirm where tickets were purchased and at what time, and can include interviews with shoppers who were in the store when the ticket was bought or validated, Marantz said.
"We check out the story," she said.
"The times of the sale and place of the sale all recorded on the computer, so we can doublecheck all that information."
Marantz said they have only a handful of retail winners each year.
Knutson, 42, said he doesn't plan to stop working. In fact, he was right back behind the lottery counter Monday, the day after he discovered he'd hit the jackpot.
As for what he hopes to buy with the money, so far, the married grandfather seems short on ideas.
"I need a new mattress. My back is killing me," he said with a laugh.
Knutson also said his children, who range in age from 15 to 25, have talked about getting new snowmobiles.
Isn't this what caused the whole problem with the Ontairo lottery or something like that. I remember news stories from before about how it was really weird that many store owners were winning the jackpots. Am I just remembering wrong?
Quote: Originally posted by Bradly_60 on Oct 25, 2007
Isn't this what caused the whole problem with the Ontairo lottery or something like that. I remember news stories from before about how it was really weird that many store owners were winning the jackpots. Am I just remembering wrong?
Brad
I agree with all of the above posts. Although there is no law saying a store owner or employee at a store can't purchase a lottery ticket & win, I think they should go to another retailer just to avoid the appearance of fraud or impropriety.
Guest
Quote: Originally posted by justxploring on Oct 25, 2007
I agree with all of the above posts. Although there is no law saying a store owner or employee at a store can't purchase a lottery ticket & win, I think they should go to another retailer just to avoid the appearance of fraud or impropriety.
For 16 million dollars I wouldn't care if there was an appearance of fraud or impropriety.The investigation by the lottery would prove my innocence of any wrong doing.There will always be doubters and you can never convince them,anyway.Besides,I would move to a warmer climate and wouldn't be around to hear the doubters anyway.
Quote: Originally posted by justxploring on Oct 25, 2007
I agree with all of the above posts. Although there is no law saying a store owner or employee at a store can't purchase a lottery ticket & win, I think they should go to another retailer just to avoid the appearance of fraud or impropriety.
really g@@d "news"
We as Lottery Post member's will not convict, said Todd
of any wrong doing if HE or anyone connected with HIM in any or
other way than the RIGHT to PURCHASE and ENJOY all and any of
many ITEMS from the >>>>>>>>LOTTERY POST GIFT SHOPPE
on or before >>>>>>>>>>>>>>XMAS of 2007
but may I thank YOU (early) for AALL/URWork
BUTT,when the
season and YEAR"S<<<<end<<<<<LET it be KNOWN.................
THANK'sssss>>>>>>>>>>>TODD>>>>>YOU were HERE beginning 2007!!!!
UR a GREAT^^^ >>>store>>> OWNER>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
He should have bought the ticket from another store. Congras on your win.
Why?He has the right to sell himself a ticket.Anyone that thinks he manipulated the outcome of the drawing would have to be pretty dense.
Not only does he win the jackpot,he'll get the bonus for selling the winning ticket.Congrats!!
Isn't this what caused the whole problem with the Ontairo lottery or something like that. I remember news stories from before about how it was really weird that many store owners were winning the jackpots. Am I just remembering wrong?
Brad
I agree with all of the above posts. Although there is no law saying a store owner or employee at a store can't purchase a lottery ticket & win, I think they should go to another retailer just to avoid the appearance of fraud or impropriety.
For 16 million dollars I wouldn't care if there was an appearance of fraud or impropriety.The investigation by the lottery would prove my innocence of any wrong doing.There will always be doubters and you can never convince them,anyway.Besides,I would move to a warmer climate and wouldn't be around to hear the doubters anyway.
really g@@d "news"
We as Lottery Post member's will not convict, said Todd
of any wrong doing if HE or anyone connected with HIM in any or
other way than the RIGHT to PURCHASE and ENJOY all and any of
many ITEMS from the >>>>>>>>LOTTERY POST GIFT SHOPPE
on or before >>>>>>>>>>>>>>XMAS of 2007
but may I thank YOU (early) for AALL/URWork
BUTT,when the
season and YEAR"S<<<<end<<<<<LET it be KNOWN.................
THANK'sssss>>>>>>>>>>>TODD>>>>>YOU were HERE beginning 2007!!!!
UR a GREAT^^^ >>>store>>> OWNER >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
thanks from all for>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>2007!!
GOD>>>>>>>>>>>
please TELL>>>>>>me..........if ........??????............YOU CAN't TRUST
the.......DARN "NEW's"
who can U trust?
LOL>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>U >>>NEED-IT!!!!!!!!
(thank's>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>LOTTERY TRUST!!