Oshawa Man Mistakenly Thinks He Won $40K Instead of $40 Million in a Lottery

A 79-year-old retired railway worker living in Oshawa, Ontario, thought he had won $40,000 from the Lotto. He, however, soon discovered that his ticket was not worth 40,000. Instead, he won a massive lottery worth $40 million. The story of Bernard White's disbelief, morning confusion, and what he intends to do with his money has made headlines across Canada. Here is how it all played out, what the win means for White, and how it fits into recent lottery chatter.

A Life-Changing Surprise

It was an early morning on February 2025 when Bernard White’s daughter knocked on his bedroom door, excitedly shouting that he had won $40,000 in the LOTTO MAX draw held on February 21. Half-asleep and, as White reported, not yet dressed for the day, he mumbled that it could pay off their cars. In an OLG interview, White said he was still groggy and thought it was nice but wouldn’t change his life. Shortly after, his daughter burst into the room again with more astonishing news: “Um…Dad, I think you won $40 million.”

White's initial reaction was shock. He usually went to a Shell gas station on Taunton Road East in Oshawa to buy his lottery tickets. When he and his daughter had the ticket checked at a lottery terminal, it "lit up like a Christmas tree." Even then, White remained skeptical and maintained the $40,000. He drove to his long-term partner to deliver the news, but she dismissed it as one of his pranks. As reported by CityNews Toronto, "I pointed to the ticket and said it's a $40 million winner, and she still didn't believe me," White stated as he laughed.

From Railway Tracks to Riches

White, who has lived in Oshawa and worked the rails for decades. His modest way of life did not equip him for a $40 million windfall, but his ideas about the money show a grounded sensibility. He’s looking at getting a new fishing rod and a $3,000 set of speakers for his music collection, leaving him almost $40 million to work with. With a big family and many siblings, White will help his relatives with some of the cash. He has plans to give to health organizations close to him. White also plans to take a boat trip around his birthplace, Newfoundland.

Winning this lottery signifies one of the biggest LOTTO MAX wins for 2025, and White is not the first person to mistake millions for thousands. Winning the lottery is often accompanied by shock and miscalculation, as winners find the numbers too big to believe. According to CTV News, an Ontario Order of Canada recipient thought they had won $25,000 in March 2025 but discovered it was a $25 million LOTTO MAX prize. These stories show the surreal moment when regular people learn they have struck the lottery.

The Bigger Picture: Lottery Wins in 2025

This year has seen a flurry of lottery stories, including White's big win. In December 2024, a California woman, Rosemary Casarotti, won the $1.2 billion Mega Millions jackpot, according to Fox Business. She opted for cash and received $571 million. Five Greater Toronto Area (GTA) coworkers are also celebrating this month after winning $60 million in the March 2025 LOTTO MAX draw after purchasing a ticket together to ring in the Lunar New Year. These stories show how life-changing lotteries can be but don’t always go smoothly. For instance, a Texas woman is still waiting to get her $83.5 million after a disagreement with a delivery app.

Lottery online casinos fever isn’t just about the winners.  In March of 2025, Powerball hit jackpots worth $526.5 million, and Mega Millions rose to $344 million, according to articles by Forbes and USA Today. A dreamer will still play even if your odds of winning the Powerball are 1 in 292.2 million. White’s relatable muddle of confusion and delight, along with his family story, adds a human touch to this.

A Win That’s More Than Money

For Bernard White, winning $40 million on the LOTTO MAX is not just a way to fatten a bank account. He also wants to give back, help the community where he grew up, and enjoy good music. It reminds us that even with billion-dollar jackpots, the true essence of winning the lottery lies in personal moments—a daughter’s exuberant knock, a partner’s skeptical chuckle, or a fishing rod on the shopping list. As White comes to grips with his new reality, his story of confusing millions for thousands will surely be among the most endearing lottery stories of 2025.