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Lotto 6/49 winner waits year to cash in $3.6 million ticket

The 24-year-old realtor matched six out of six numbers to win the $3.6 million jackpot on the August 15, 2007 draw, but instead of high-tailing it to BCLC headquarters in Richmond, Dushop simply signed the back of his lucky Quick Pick ticket and put it in a safety deposit box.

It remained there for nearly a year before the Maple Ridge resident decided today was the day to come in and claim his big prize, nearly three weeks before the ticket would have expired.

"It's been so long, I don't even recall where I bought my ticket," said Dushop, who was presented with his winning cheque today by BCLC's Vice President of Corporate Affairs, Kevin Gass.

For the record, the ticket was purchased at a Save-On-Foods in Port Coquitlam.

Dushop knew he had won after verifying his prize on a BCLC Check-a-Ticket terminal in Maple Ridge a few weeks after the draw. So, why did he wait so long to cash in his winnings?

"I just really needed some time to think about how this will affect me and the people around me," said Dushop. "I'm still kind of in shock."

According to a local banking representative, using a three percent interest rate, Dushop has missed out on approximately $100,000 in interest during the period in which he held onto his ticket.

However, Dushop, who plans to "take a vacation somewhere hot" with his windfall, says he isn't too worried about the lost income.

"I definitely thought about the interest, but in relation to the overall prize I thought it was worth taking the time to just come to terms with everything."

Lotto 6/49 is the nationwide lottery game drawn on Wednesdays and Saturdays after 6 p.m. (PST). This Wednesday's jackpot is an estimated $24 million. Players can purchase tickets at any lottery retailer or at PlayNow on bclc.com.

BCLC is a provincial Crown Corporation reporting to the Minister of Housing and Social Development through a Board of Directors. Its mission is to offer socially responsible gaming entertainment, generating income for government programs, including health care, education, amateur sports and community and charitable programs, throughout British Columbia. In fiscal 2007/08 more than 6,850 community and charitable organizations received community gaming grants as a result of BCLC net income. BCLC is an Official Supporter of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

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