Quebec lottery winner Claude Boucher became an instant millionaire on August 27, 2025, when he won $46 million CAD in the Lotto 6/49 Gold Ball draw. The Lévis resident’s life-changing win stands as one of the largest lottery prizes ever awarded to a single Quebec ticket holder, and his story has inspired thousands of Canadians to try their luck with Canada’s classic national lottery.
Boucher purchased his winning ticket at a local convenience store in Lévis, Quebec — a routine decision that would turn into a $46,296,296.60 CAD windfall. His reaction at the prize ceremony? He admitted he “kept counting zeros” when he first checked his numbers, unable to believe what he was seeing.
| 🏆 Claude Boucher — Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Prize Amount | $46,296,296.60 CAD |
| Game | Lotto 6/49 Gold Ball |
| Win Date | August 27, 2025 |
| Location | Lévis, Quebec 🇨🇦 |
| Ticket Type | Single ticket, retail purchase |
| Tax Owed | $0 (Tax-free in Canada) |
Who Is Quebec Lottery Winner Claude Boucher?
Claude Boucher is a resident of Lévis, Quebec, who won the Lotto 6/49 Gold Ball jackpot on August 27, 2025. Before his historic win, Boucher lived a quiet life in the Quebec City metropolitan area. Like many canadian lottery winners, he played the lottery casually — never expecting to actually hit the jackpot.
At the official prize ceremony hosted by Loto-Québec, Boucher shared that his first instinct was disbelief. When asked about his plans, he mentioned wanting to take care of his family, travel, and enjoy a comfortable retirement — responses typical of quebec lottery winner stories.
What makes Boucher’s story particularly noteworthy is the sheer size of his win. The $46 million prize represents one of the top 10 largest single-ticket wins in Quebec history, and it came from a game that costs just $3 per play.
If you’re inspired by Boucher’s story and want to chase your own Lotto 6/49 jackpot, you can claim 2 free Lotto 6/49 tickets at XO Lotto — no deposit required to get started.
How the Lotto 649 Gold Ball Changed Everything
The Lotto 6/49 Gold Ball is a special bonus draw that gives players the chance to win massive guaranteed jackpots on top of the regular Lotto 6/49 prize pool. When Claude Boucher became a lotto 649 gold ball winner, he didn’t just match numbers — he won an entirely separate jackpot that had been building for weeks.
Here’s how the lotto 649 gold ball works:
- Every Lotto 6/49 ticket includes a 10-digit Gold Ball number — you don’t pay extra for it
- Gold Ball draws happen when the jackpot reaches certain thresholds — typically $5 million, $10 million, or higher
- One Gold Ball number is drawn — if your ticket matches exactly, you win the entire guaranteed jackpot
- The odds of winning the Gold Ball are approximately 1 in 30 million — but someone has to win eventually
Boucher’s winning Gold Ball number matched the draw exactly, instantly making him Quebec’s newest multimillionaire. Unlike the regular Lotto 6/49 main draw (which can be split among multiple winners), the Gold Ball jackpot went entirely to him.
| Feature | Regular Lotto 6/49 | ⭐ Gold Ball |
|---|---|---|
| Jackpot Odds | 1 in 13,983,816 | 1 in 30,000,000 |
| Starting Jackpot | $5 million | $1 million+ |
| Prize Sharing | Split if multiple winners | 100% to single winner |
| Draw Frequency | Every Wed & Sat | Special draws only |
| Boucher’s Prize | — | $46 MILLION |
Breaking Down the $46 Million Win
When Boucher claimed his $46,296,296.60 prize, the money was his to keep — every dollar of it. That’s because lottery winnings in Canada are completely tax-free. Unlike American lottery winners (who can lose up to 37% to federal and state taxes), Canadian lottery winners take home 100% of their prizes.
Let’s put Boucher’s quebec lottery winner prize in perspective:
What $46 Million CAD Can Buy:
- Average Canadian homes: Approximately 60 houses at the national average of $750,000
- Annual median income: Equivalent to 820 years of the typical Canadian salary
- Investment income: At a conservative 4% return, that’s $1.84 million per year in passive income — or $5,041 per day
For context, this puts Boucher among elite canadian lottery winners who’ve won eight-figure prizes. His win exceeds many recent Ontario lotto winners and ranks alongside some of the biggest Edmonton lottery winners in history.
| 💰 What $46 Million Means | |
|---|---|
| Gross Prize | $46,296,296.60 CAD |
| Canadian Taxes | $0 (100% tax-free) |
| Take-Home Amount | $46,296,296.60 CAD |
| Annual Investment Income (4%) | ~$1,851,852 CAD/year |
| Monthly Passive Income | ~$154,321 CAD/month |
| Daily Income (just sitting there) | ~$5,074 CAD/day |
The Odds: How Rare Is a Lotto 6/49 Winner Like Boucher?
Understanding the odds helps appreciate just how remarkable Boucher’s win truly was. Every lotto 6/49 winner beats astronomical odds, but Gold Ball winners face even longer chances.
Lotto 6/49 Odds Breakdown:
| Prize Tier | Odds | Prize |
|---|---|---|
| Jackpot (6/6) | 1 in 13,983,816 | $5M+ (shared) |
| 2nd Prize (5/6 + Bonus) | 1 in 2,330,636 | ~$100,000 |
| 3rd Prize (5/6) | 1 in 55,492 | ~$2,500 |
| Gold Ball Jackpot | 1 in 30,000,000 | Guaranteed amount |
| Free Play | 1 in 8.3 | $3 ticket |
The Gold Ball’s 1-in-30-million odds are roughly equivalent to:
- Flipping a coin and getting heads 25 times in a row
- Being struck by lightning twice in your lifetime
- Randomly selecting one specific person from all of Canada
Yet despite these odds, someone wins eventually — and on August 27, 2025, that someone was Claude Boucher.
What to Do If You Win the Lottery Like Boucher
Dreaming about what to do if you win the lottery is fun, but actually handling a multimillion-dollar windfall requires serious planning. Here’s what financial experts recommend — and what winners like Boucher typically do:
Immediate Steps (First 24-48 Hours):
- Sign the back of your ticket — An unsigned ticket is like cash; anyone who finds it can claim it
- Secure the ticket — Bank safe deposit box or fireproof safe at home
- Tell no one — Or as few people as possible until you have professional advice
- Don’t quit your job yet — Emotional decisions made in excitement often lead to regret
Short-Term Planning (First Month):
- Hire a financial advisor who specializes in sudden wealth
- Consult a tax professional (even though winnings are tax-free, investment income isn’t)
- Consider working with a lawyer to establish trusts or corporations
- Take time before making any major purchases or life changes
Long-Term Considerations:
- Diversified investment portfolio for passive income
- Real estate (primary residence and/or investment properties)
- Family trusts for generational wealth transfer
- Charitable giving and philanthropy
Claude Boucher mentioned wanting to care for his family and travel — both sensible and common priorities among major lottery winners. Many canadian lottery winners report that the adjustment period takes 6-12 months before life feels “normal” again.
For more strategies, check our guide on how to buy lottery tickets online and start playing smarter. <!– P4: Soft Link –>
Ready to chase your own jackpot? You can get 2 free Lotto 6/49 tickets at XO Lotto and play Canada’s classic lottery from anywhere in the country.
How to Play Lotto 6/49 from Quebec (and Anywhere in Canada)
Playing Lotto 6/49 is simple whether you’re in Quebec like Boucher or anywhere else in Canada. Here’s how to get started:
Option 1: Traditional Retail Purchase
- Visit any authorized lottery retailer (convenience stores, gas stations, grocery stores)
- Ask for a Lotto 6/49 ticket or fill out a selection slip
- Pay $3 per play (each play includes one Gold Ball number)
- Draws happen every Wednesday and Saturday at 10:30 PM ET
Option 2: Online Through XO Lotto
- Sign up at XO Lotto — takes less than 2 minutes
- Navigate to Lotto 6/49
- Select your numbers or use Quick Pick for random selection
- Confirm your purchase — no need to remember where you put your ticket!
- Results are automatically checked and winnings deposited to your account
Advantages of Playing Online:
- Never lose a winning ticket
- Get notifications when you win
- Access lottery results instantly
- Play from your phone, tablet, or computer
- No need to leave home to buy tickets
You can also explore other Canadian lotteries like Lotto Max for even bigger jackpots (up to $70 million+), or try international games like Powerball from Canada and Mega Millions.
Quebec Lottery Winner Stories: Boucher Joins an Elite Group
Claude Boucher now belongs to an exclusive club of quebec lottery winner millionaires. Quebec has produced some of Canada’s biggest jackpot winners, thanks partly to its large population and long lottery history with Loto-Québec.
Notable Quebec Lottery Winners:
- $70 million — Largest single-ticket Lotto Max win in Quebec
- $65 million — Montreal-area winner in 2023
- $46 million — Claude Boucher’s Gold Ball win (2025)
- $40+ million — Multiple winners throughout Quebec history
What’s remarkable about Boucher’s story is that he won through the Gold Ball feature — not the main jackpot. This demonstrates that there are multiple ways to win big in every Lotto 6/49 draw. Even if you don’t match all six main numbers, your Gold Ball could still make you a multimillionaire.
Looking at winners from across Canada, patterns emerge. Major jackpots have hit in every province, from Ontario lottery winners claiming massive prizes to Edmonton lottery winners taking home life-changing amounts. Geography doesn’t determine luck — anyone who plays has a chance.
Frequently Asked Questions About Quebec Lottery Winner Claude Boucher
How much did Claude Boucher win in the lottery?
Claude Boucher won $46,296,296.60 CAD in the Lotto 6/49 Gold Ball draw on August 27, 2025. This made him one of the largest single-ticket lottery winners in Quebec history. The full amount was paid as a lump sum, and since Canada doesn’t tax lottery winnings, he kept every dollar.
What is the Lotto 6/49 Gold Ball and how did Boucher win it?
The lotto 649 gold ball is a bonus draw included with every Lotto 6/49 ticket. Each ticket gets a unique 10-digit Gold Ball number. When the Gold Ball jackpot reaches certain thresholds, a special draw selects one winning number. Boucher’s ticket matched exactly, winning him the entire $46 million guaranteed jackpot — separate from the regular Lotto 6/49 prize pool.
Where did Claude Boucher buy his winning ticket?
Boucher purchased his winning Lotto 6/49 ticket at a convenience store in Lévis, Quebec — a city across the St. Lawrence River from Quebec City. The specific retailer received a commission bonus for selling the winning ticket.
Are lottery winnings taxed in Canada?
The odds of winning the Lotto 6/49 Gold Ball jackpot (like Quebec lottery winner Claude Boucher did) are approximately 1 in 13,983,816. The classic draw jackpot has the same odds. Smaller prizes have better odds — for example, matching 2 numbers plus the bonus is 1 in 81.2.
Are lottery winnings taxed in Canada?
No. Unlike the United States where winners can lose up to 37% to taxes, Canadian lottery winnings are 100% tax-free. Claude Boucher’s $46 million prize was his to keep in full. However, any investment income earned from the winnings (interest, dividends, capital gains) is taxable.
What are the odds of winning the Lotto 6/49 Gold Ball?
The odds of winning the Gold Ball jackpot are approximately 1 in 30 million. This is more difficult than the regular Lotto 6/49 jackpot (1 in 14 million) but comes with a guaranteed prize that doesn’t need to be shared with other winners.
Can I play Lotto 6/49 online from anywhere in Canada?
Yes. You can play Lotto 6/49 online through services like XO Lotto from any Canadian province. Online play offers convenience, automatic result checking, and never losing a winning ticket. New players can claim 2 free Lotto 6/49 tickets to get started.
How long did Claude Boucher wait to claim his prize?
Boucher claimed his prize relatively quickly after the draw, appearing at a Loto-Québec prize ceremony within weeks. Winners have up to one year from the draw date to claim prizes, though most major jackpot winners claim within days or weeks.
What did Claude Boucher say he would do with his winnings?
At his prize ceremony, Boucher mentioned wanting to take care of his family, travel, and enjoy a comfortable retirement. These are common priorities among canadian lottery winners — family first, experiences second, and long-term security as an ongoing focus.
Chase Your Own Jackpot Today
Claude Boucher’s story proves that life-changing wins happen to ordinary Canadians. One moment he was checking his ticket at home in Lévis; the next, he was counting zeros on a $46 million prize. As a quebec lottery winner, he joins thousands of Canadians who’ve had their lives transformed by lottery jackpots — but you can’t win if you don’t play.
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