The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation have announced the winner of a $50 million Lotto Max prize that went unclaimed for a year.

But for the first time in history, the OLG approached the winner instead of the other way around.

Through a months-long investigation, the lottery corporation determined Hamilton resident Kathryn Jones was the rightful winner, after searching transaction history and security camera footage from a Shoppers Drug Mart in Cambridge.

“As you can imagine this has been both a very weird and wonderful journey,” Jones said at a press conference Tuesday morning.

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Since the announcement of the winning ticket on Nov. 30 of last year, 435 people inquired about the prize, but Jones never did.

A self-described “random” lottery player, Jones admits she lost the ticket and still has no idea where it is.

“I have obviously, as you can imagine, I have looked in my house very thoroughly and it’s not there.”

Jones, an engineer, said she has two children in university who are taking the news in stride.

“My oldest son lectured us on being responsible,” she said. “[He told us,] ‘I don’t care about the money I just want to get through these exams.’”

Previously, Jones had only won $20 through gaming. She said her family has no plans for the money yet.

Through the investigation, the OLG determined Jones purchased the only $16 ticket sold at the Shoppers Drug Mart location that day, and her answers were consistent with their questions regarding the purchase.

The corporation also conducted an independent review after learning Jones’ sister owns a retail outlet in Ottawa that sells lottery tickets.

“I feel very grateful . . . no one had to take that initiative [to find the winner],” she said.

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As per their policy, the OLG will hold the prize for another 30 days to make sure no one else comes forward, although they are positive Jones is the rightful winner.

The largest unclaimed prize through the OLG prior to this was $5 million.

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