For one fortunate Ontario resident, placing his trust in family paid off in an extraordinary way. Han Zeng Chen of Holland Landing is celebrating a life-changing lottery win, crediting his loved ones for the numbers that led to his windfall.
A Sure Bet on Family
The winning moment came on Monday, December 29, 2025, when the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) presented Chen with his oversized ceremonial check. While the exact prize amount was not disclosed in the initial announcement, the joy on the winner's face was unmistakable. Chen revealed that the numbers he played were not random; they were intimately connected to his family, making the victory profoundly personal.
The Winning Moment and Celebration
The official photo, submitted by OLG, captures Chen's elation as he holds the symbolic check. The win adds to a remarkable year for lottery players in the province. According to OLG reports, nearly $200 million was won in 2025 through lottery tickets purchased in Alberta alone, highlighting a year of significant prizes across Canada. Chen's story stands out not for the sheer size of the win, but for the sentimental journey behind it.
"It's all in the family," Chen's story echoes, a sentiment that resonates beyond the basketball court reference in the day's other news. For him, betting on his family was indeed a sure thing.
Lottery Wins Amidst a Newsy Day
The heartwarming lottery announcement was one of many headlines across Canada on December 29th. The news cycle also covered a range of events from a tragic fatal fire in a North York retirement home and a homicide investigation in Liberty Village, to weather-related power outages and a record-breaking $611,000 raised by a hockey tournament for hospice care.
Yet, amidst stories of challenge and loss, Chen's win serves as a bright spot. It underscores the personal dreams and simple strategies—like using meaningful family numbers—that captivate millions of Canadians who participate in provincial lotteries each year.
As 2025 winds down, Han Zeng Chen of Holland Landing enters the new year with a renewed sense of fortune, proving that sometimes, the best luck is inspired by those closest to you.
