Split-second decision to buy lottery ticket on the way home from fishing trip nets BC man $1M

Kenneth Giffen has a million reasons to smile and it’s not because he caught the biggest fish of his life on a recent trip.

The Abbotsford resident was heading home from a fishing trip last month when he stopped to fill up his vehicle at the Highways 7 & 9 Esso Service in Agassiz.

While filling up, he made a split-second decision to purchase a Lotto 6/49 ticket for the June 13 draw and the decision paid off in spades.

While sitting in a car wash the following weekend, the day before Father’s Day, Giffen checked his ticket and realized he had won $1 million.

“At first, I thought it was only a $1,000 win, but I thought (I saw) a lot of zeros so I checked it again,” recalled Giffen, who said he’s excited but it hasn’t soaked in yet.

“I was pretty anxious while I waited to get out of the car wash. My first thought was my wife and family — I wanted to be able to share the moment with them.”

He did just that, calling his wife and children and having them come meet him at the car wash shortly after he checked his ticket.

Giffen didn’t indicate any specific ways he plans to spend his winnings, but that “it’s really about spending more time with my wife and daughters” and “the freedom to know it’s going to help with their future.”