Claude Boucher, a Cégep de Victoriaville employee from the Bois-Francs region of Centre-du-Québec, won the Gold Ball Jackpot of $46,000,000 in the August 27 Lotto 6/49 draw. He purchased the winning ticket using his usual numbers via the Loto-Québec gaming website.
“I was scrolling quickly and I thought, ‘$46,000 isn’t too bad! But what are all those zeros? Oh, it’s $46,000,000!’" Boucher told CityNews (1) about discovering that his numbers were called. He waited a few hours before sharing the news with his wife.
Boucher is the third Quebecer to claim a major prize in August, as the Grande Vie lottery game top prize of $1,000 a day for life was won twice in Québec.
While Boucher is considering early retirement and a return to Switzerland, where he and his wife lived in the 1980s, he has not made any definitive plans. He also intends to spoil his loved ones.
Surprised that Boucher isn’t definitely going to retire with his new found wealth? Not everyone takes that leap, even if they can, and there are many reasons why jackpot winners may choose to stay in the workforce.
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Balancing work and windfall
Financial advisors often emphasize that managing a sudden windfall requires more than just celebration. Long-term financial planning, alignment with lifestyle goals and ensuring personal fulfillment are critical — some winners continue working, either full-time or part-time, because they appreciate the structure and social connection that a job provides.
If Boucher decides to continue working, advisors would typically recommend investing part of the windfall in a diversified portfolio, paying off high-interest debts, establishing an emergency fund and considering charitable giving or setting aside funds for family needs as ways to create long-term impact.
The odds of a jackpot
While winning $46 million is life-changing, the chances of doing so are extremely slim. According to the Interprovincial Lottery Corporation, the odds of winning the Lotto 6/49 Gold Ball jackpot are 1 in 13,983,816. To put that in perspective, the probability of being struck by lightning in a given year in Canada is roughly one in 1.2 million.
For most Canadians, this means that lottery participation should be seen as entertainment, not a retirement strategy.
Playing the lottery wisely
While winning $46 million is extraordinary, it shouldn’t be an investment strategy. Here are some good rules to follow if you’re going to try to win millions:
- Do: Set a budget for tickets and stick to it. Treat the lottery as entertainment, not a financial strategy.
- Do: Consider pooling resources with friends or family in a legal, agreed-upon group to increase chances of winning smaller prizes.
- Don’t: Rely on the lottery for retirement or financial security. Odds are extremely low, and consistent planning yields more reliable results.
- Don’t: Make impulsive financial decisions if you win. Seek professional advice immediately before claiming large prizes.
Read more: Are you drowning in debt? Here are 3 simple strategies to help crush your balance to $0 in no time
Retirement planning after a windfall
Even with life-changing sums, before you walk into your boss’s office to hand in your resignation, consider your retirement decisions carefully.
For lottery winners, the considerations include:
- How quickly to retire versus whether to transition gradually
- Balancing immediate desires (travel, family support) with long-term financial security
- Ensuring wealth lasts across decades, potentially into future generations
With proper planning, a $46 million prize could easily generate sustainable annual income through conservative investments, while also providing opportunities for philanthropy, legacy planning and lifestyle upgrades.
A jackpot that redefines possibility
Claude Boucher’s $46 million win was a stroke of luck, but it’s a reminder of how quickly life can change and how carefully those changes must be managed. While he weighs whether to retire, return to Switzerland or continue working, his story resonates far beyond his own household.
For most Canadians, the lottery remains a pastime, a small thrill with long odds. But Boucher’s journey highlights a universal truth: Whether through luck, hard work or a combination of both, the real challenge isn’t just achieving financial freedom — it’s shaping a life of meaning once that freedom is in hand.
His decision, whatever it may be, will serve as both an inspiration and a lesson in how to balance dreams with responsibility, and excitement with long-term vision.
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CityNews: $46 million 6/49 jackpot won in Quebec (1)
This article originally appeared on Money.ca under the title: Quebec $46M winner weighs retirement choice
This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.