A Filipino migrant in Canada has become an overnight multi-millionaire after winning the CA$80 million (P3.19 billion) Lotto Max jackpot, marking the largest lottery prize ever won by an individual in Canada, according to the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC).
Justin Simporios, a 35-year-old resident of Surrey, British Columbia, claimed the historic jackpot for the May 9, 2025 draw. Fighting back tears during a BCLC media conference, Simporios expressed his disbelief and gratitude.
“I’m an immigrant. I came from a poor country… With this amount of money, I will be able to spend more time with my daughter, with my wife, with my family,” he said.
Simporios, who had been juggling full-time work to support his family, shared how the win will transform their lives. He immediately submitted his resignation to his employer at a logistics company before the news conference.
The Filipino migrant also revealed his plans to give back to the community, stating that he and his family are exploring charitable organizations they can support.
“I really want to give back to the community as much as I could,” he emphasized.
Beyond financial support, Simporios plans to pay off his sister’s medical school debt, bring his wife and daughter to the Philippines for the first time, and fulfill a personal dream of watching NBA star LeBron James in action at a Los Angeles Lakers game.
His wife, initially in disbelief and even slightly upset when he broke the news due to their daughter’s illness, now shares his excitement for their new future.
“We want to live with a purpose – to help the community around us,” Simporios concluded.
