Montréal, May 5, 2026 — For most people, winning $3 million would mean an immediate goodbye to the daily grind. But for Montréal truck driver Gérald Côté, life after hitting the lottery isn’t about walking away from work — it’s about shifting gears toward a lifelong dream.
The Montréal resident recently claimed one of the incredible $3 million grand prizes from Loto-Québec’s popular 30X scratch ticket, turning an ordinary grocery store visit into the kind of moment most people only dream about.
Côté purchased his lucky ticket at the Provigo in Place du Commerce on Île-des-Sœurs, and what happened next sounds like something straight out of a movie.
“There Are Too Many Zeros!”
A fan of scratch tickets with multiplier games, Côté says 30X has long been one of his favourites. After buying the ticket, he returned to the same grocery store to scan it at the self-serve validation terminal.
At first, the machine’s display seemed almost incomprehensible.
He reportedly watched as the numbers climbed; first 3… then 30… then 300…
And then came the realization:
“There are too many zeros!”
Still in disbelief, Côté headed to the counter for an official validation. When the terminal displayed the full $3,000,000 prize, excitement erupted throughout the entire store. Just imagine.
According to Loto-Québec, the entire Provigo was buzzing with celebration as staff and customers shared in the unforgettable moment.
No Retirement Plans — Yet
Unlike many jackpot winners who dream of early retirement, Côté says he has no plans to park his truck anytime soon.
He genuinely loves driving for work and intends to keep doing the job he enjoys, proving that for some people, passion matters just as much as financial freedom.
A Dream Ride from the 1960s
While he may not be leaving his career behind, Côté does have major plans for his newfound fortune.
A vintage car enthusiast, he’s setting his sights on purchasing and restoring a classic 1960s Corvette, a dream project that now seems fully within reach.
For a man who’s spent years on the road, trading in some of that routine for chrome, horsepower, and classic American design sounds like a fitting reward.
Lucky Store Scores Too
Côté’s big win is also a major payday for the Provigo where the ticket was sold. As is customary, the retailer will receive a 1% commission. Let’s just say that is a cool $30,000 bonus.
Proof That Life Can Change in an Instant
From scanning a scratch ticket during a routine grocery run to becoming a multimillionaire in seconds, Gérald Côté’s story is a reminder that sometimes extraordinary things really do happen in the most ordinary places.
And while $3 million may buy a lot of freedom, for this Montréal trucker, it’s not about quitting the road.
It’s about enjoying the ride, and maybe cruising it one day in a beautifully restored ’60s Corvette.
About Loto-Québec
Loto-Québec has been delivering entertainment to Quebecers for over 55 years, and its operations benefit Québec as a whole. In 2025, the corporation paid out over $1.7 billion in prizes to winners and crowned 105 millionaires across Québec. Among these prizes, it paid out nearly 20 lifetime annuities—a record! Major prize winners are listed on the Winners page in the Lotteries section of lotoquebec.com. Discover their dreams.
The responsible commercialization of lottery and gaming products is central to Loto-Québec’s operations. The corporation has been granted the highest internationally recognized certification in responsible gaming by the World Lottery Association.
photo and information supplied by Loto-Québec
