Cape Breton couple wins $9.9 million Lotto 6/49 jackpot

You wouldn't have found too many people at home in Christmas Island, N.S., today. That's because James and Mary Leigh MacNeil and more than a dozen family members from Christmas Island were in Moncton as the couple picked up a cheque worth $9,916,782 from Lotto 6/49's Nov. 8 draw.

"I couldn't breathe," said Mary Leigh, describing the moment she checked her numbers on ALC's website last Thursday morning. "I couldn't feel my toes!"

Mary Leigh, who was home with her children when she discovered her win, attempted to call her husband James to share the news. James was working on a harvestor in the woods.

"The cell phone kept cutting out so I didn't know if he was getting it or not," she explained. It took a few phone calls for the message to finally get to James.

"I heard the words winning ticket, then the phone cut out," said James. "I knew somebody had won from the area. After a few calls, I finally figured out it was me!"

James finished his shift but has since given notice and agreed to stay on long enough to train a few people. Mary Leigh, a substitute teacher who also works with the federal government says she's "going to think about it" before making any decisions around work.

The couple has two sons, Cameron, aged one and Aiden, age three.

Like many lottery players, the MacNeils say they have a big dream to fulfill: "We're paying of the bills and that will be a dream come true," Mary Leigh said, smiling.

"I'll be looking for a new vehicle... a truck," said James.

Other plans include sharing with family and friends although both say this new millionaire status is a bit overwhelming and the reality still hasn't sunk in.

Grand Narrows Convenience in Grand Narrows, N.S., sold the winning ticket. It will receive a $99,167.82 seller's prize, representing one per cent of the winnings.

The MacNeils' winning ticket was one of four sold in Canada for the Nov. 8 Lotto 6/49 draw, when the jackpot reached almost $40 million.

This year has been an exciting time for lottery winners in Nova Scotia. In June, a man from Pleasant Bay won $14.9 million and in March, a couple from Elmsdale won $4.5 million.

Since each ticket is a potential winner, ALC reminds all players to play responsibly - sign the backs of all tickets upon purchase, and check the validation slip to confirm winnings.

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FACTS ABOUT LOTTO 6/49

- Today was a busy day at Atlantic Lottery's Head Office in Moncton, N.B.

In addition to the $9,916,782 Lotto 6/49 winners from Cape Breton, the

following prizes were also awarded:

- A $100,000 TAG prize to Beverley Hanley from the Halifax,

N.S. area.

- A $100,000 TAG prize to David Gray from the Fredericton, N.B. area.

- A $73,500 Christmas for Life Scratch'n Win prize to Gloria Savard

from the Shediac, N.B. area.

- And a $64,900 prize on Atlantic 49 awarded to a group of nine

employees from the Lingan Golf and Country Club in Sydney, N.S.

- The $36 million jackpot for the Wednesday, November 8, 2006, draw was

shared by four winners in Canada. Each ticket is worth $9,916,782

million of the total prize. In Atlantic Canada, the winning ticket was

sold in Cape Breton County, N.S. The other three tickets were sold in

Quebec (2) and Ontario (1).

- This year has been an exciting time for lottery winners in Nova Scotia.

In June 2006, a man from Pleasant Bay, N.S. won $14.9 and in March

2006, a couple from Elmsdale, N.S. won $4.5 million.

- ALC introduced national game Lotto 6/49 to its product lineup in June

1982.

- It's so easy to play - just pick six lucky numbers between 1 and 49, or

Insta Pik them for your chance to win.

- With just a toonie, you have a chance to win a top prize that starts at

$4 million and continues to grow until its won, letting you dream a

little bigger with each draw.

- LOTTO 6/49 is a national lottery game offered every Wednesday and

Saturday throughout Canada. The odds of winning the LOTTO 6/49 jackpot

are approximately one in 14 million.

- Our research suggests that 75% of Atlantic Canadians who are the age of

majority play lottery games regularly. 57% play LOTTO 6/49.

- In Canada, winners don't pay tax on their winnings. They receive their

payment in full when they claim their prize.

- What do people do with their winnings? Here's what our surveys have

told us:

78% bank their money

60% pay bills

57% share it with family

31% buy appliances/furniture

27% renovate their homes

23% buy new vehicles

19% donate to charity

19% make mortgage payments

15% invest in stocks

13% invest in education for self/family

- Atlantic Lottery Corporation (ALC) promotes responsible gaming

education, awareness and prevention, as part of its overall commitment

to social responsibility. All net profits from the sale of ALC products

are returned to our shareholders to help fund essential provincial

programs and services.

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For further information: Contact: Korene Landry, Communications Officer, Atlantic Lottery Corporation, 1-800-561-3942; Digital photo available upon request