Two separate Nanaimo residents are celebrating major wins after cashing in on PlayNow this week, adding to what has been a strong run of lottery and gaming prizes across Vancouver Island recently.
The most recent winner, Robert F. of Nanaimo, turned a $3 wager into a $150,000 prize while playing Cash Buster Extreme on PlayNow.
“I was playing through the games and thought I would do a $3 bet on Cash Buster Extreme. It popped up $150K and I thought this can’t be right,” Robert said.
“I was sure I hit the demo button so I immediately went to my account and checked my account balance.”
Robert said the win will help him purchase a newer vehicle, with the remainder set aside for retirement and investments.
His win follows another significant PlayNow prize claimed earlier this week by Holly B., also of Nanaimo, who won $349,875.78 while playing 25 Red Hot Burning Clover Link.
“I thought, is this real?” Holly said.
“I ran to tell my husband. He was asleep and thought he was dreaming. So then I called my mom. She didn’t believe me either.”
Holly described the win as life changing, saying she plans to put the money toward buying property and possibly adopting a rescue dog.
The two Nanaimo wins are the latest in a growing list of notable prizes claimed by Vancouver Island players this year.
Earlier this month, a Victoria resident won $500,000 playing Extra in the January 6th Lotto Max draw. In recent weeks, a Brentwood Bay man took home $675,000 after receiving a Set for Life ticket as a gift, while another Nanaimo resident won $500,000 through Extra on a Lotto 6/49 ticket.
See also: Victoria resident says his ‘eyes popped out of his head’ after $500,000 lotto win
According to BCLC, lottery players across British Columbia redeemed more than $51 million in winnings from Extra and more than $248 million from Lotto Max in 2025.
