OLG winner Martin Blanchette of Thunder Bay. (Photo Supplied: OLG)

Thunder Bay Man Wins $50K Top Prize

Jason Wellwood August 10, 2021 4:15 pm Last Updated on July 2, 2025 7:46 am

Martin Blanchette is $50,000 richer after winning the Instant Quest For Gold Crossword.

The 67-year-old father says he has been playing the lottery for around 35 years, and loves this ticket specifically.

“I love Instant Quest for Gold Crossword because it supports Olympic athletes,” he shared. “Instant crosswords are my time to relax.”

Martin plans to share the win with his daughters, and “also pay some bills and enjoy being debt free.”

The winning ticket was purchased at K&A Variety on City Road in Thunder Bay.

Currently, OLG is booking in-person prize claim appointments at the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto only for those claims that require a face-to-face interview.

Jason Wellwood

Originally from southern Ontario, Jason found his way here and fell in love with the community and music scene of Thunder Bay over twenty years ago. In between various stints on radio, television and writing, Jason is a dad, a partner and (some would consider) a zoo keeper (seriously, he has a LOT of pets).

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