B.C. man plans to buy a home and travel somewhere warm with $58M lotto win

Hao Ping Chung scooped up a cool $58 million cheque on Friday, after scoring the biggest prize ever won on a PlayNow.com ticket bought in British Columbia.

Chung, a resident of Richmond in Greater Vancouver, said he subscribes to Lotto Max on PlayNow.com, a legal gambling website, but when he saw the Gold Ball jackpot for the 6/49, he decided to buy a ticket. And on March 6 he got a big surprise.

"I was at home when I found out I won," he said. "When I logged on to my PlayNow.com account I saw the balance.

"I didn't believe it."

He said he told his parents, who, while excited for him, immediately asked if it was a scam.

Chung, who lives with his parents, said the first thing he'll purchase will be his "own place."

He said he plans to travel "somewhere warm" with his winnings. He also said he'll share it with his parents, and might put some of the money into his hobbies.

"I love fishing," he said, adding that he's keen to learn to play guitar.

According to the B.C. Lottery Corp., it's the biggest prize ever won on a ticket bought on PlayNow.com in the province.

Lotto 6/49 draws take place on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and the Gold Ball Draw is a guaranteed prize draw where players could win either the guaranteed prize of $1 million, or the growing jackpot that starts at $10 million.

The next Gold Ball jackpot in Lotto 6/49 is currently sitting at $18 million, with the draw taking place on Saturday.

The corporation said that so far this year, B.C. residents have won $93 million from Lotto 6/49.