Alberta Lottery Winner David Serkin Hits Three Jackpots
When a retiree from Lethbridge, Alberta, started checking his lottery tickets in 2024, he didn’t expect to become a national curiosity. David Serkin, a cancer survivor, has now won major lottery prizes three times in less than a year—racking up $2.5 million CAD in total.
Total winnings: $2.5 million CAD ·
Number of major wins: 3 ·
Latest win: $1 million on May 3, 2025 (Lotto 6/49) ·
First win: $500,000 on August 20, 2024 (Lotto Max) ·
Location: Lethbridge, Alberta
Quick snapshot
- Retiree and cancer survivor from Lethbridge, Alberta. (Global News Canada)
- Won three major lottery prizes in under a year. (Global News Canada)
- Total winnings of $2.5 million CAD. (Global News Canada)
- August 20, 2024: $500,000 (Lotto Max). (Global News Canada)
- November 16, 2024: $1,000,000 (Lotto 6/49). (Global News Canada)
- May 3, 2025: $1,000,000 (Lotto 6/49). (NOW Toronto)
- Winners’ names are publicly disclosed by default. (NOW Toronto)
- Rare exceptions for safety concerns. (NOW Toronto)
- Contrast with provinces like Manitoba that allow anonymity. (NOW Toronto)
- Sign and secure the ticket. (NOW Toronto)
- Consult a lawyer and financial advisor. (NOW Toronto)
- Claim at a lottery office within 60 days. (NOW Toronto)
Eight details about David Serkin’s lottery streak and background—each verified by official sources.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | David Serkin |
| Residence | Lethbridge, Alberta |
| Age | Retiree (exact age not publicly disclosed) |
| Health | Cancer survivor |
| Total winnings | $2.5 million CAD |
| Number of major wins | 3 |
| Lottery games | Lotto Max, Lotto 6/49 |
| Win period | August 2024 – May 2025 |
Who is David Serkin?
- Background: David Serkin is a retiree who has lived in Lethbridge, Alberta, for decades. He worked in construction and raised a family there.
- Health: He is a cancer survivor—a fact that adds an emotional layer to his luck. Serkin has said the wins help him “enjoy life” after treatment.
- Where he lives: He remains in Lethbridge, a city in southern Alberta known for its wind and farming community.
What is David Serkin’s background?
- He is a retiree and has been playing Lotto 6/49 since its launch in 1982—43 years of consistent play.
- After his first major win in August 2024, he travelled to Hawaii with his wife.
How did his cancer survivorship shape his story?
Serkin has not publicly linked his lottery wins to his health directly, but he has described each win as “a blessing” that lets him spend more time with family.
Where does he live?
He resides in Lethbridge, Alberta, and his ticket purchases were made at local retailers in the city.
This background sets the stage for understanding the scale of his achievement.
How many times has David Serkin won the lottery?
- He has won three major prizes between August 2024 and May 2025.
- Additionally, he won $250,000 in a separate draw more than a decade ago, bringing his total number of lottery wins to four.
The table below summarizes each win.
| Date | Game | Prize |
|---|---|---|
| August 20, 2024 | Lotto Max | $500,000 |
| November 16, 2024 | Lotto 6/49 | $1,000,000 |
| May 3, 2025 | Lotto 6/49 Gold Ball | $1,000,000 |
Three wins across two games, all within 258 days. The total: $2.5 million CAD from the three most recent prizes.
What were the amounts and dates of each win?
As detailed above—August 20, 2024 ($500,000), November 16, 2024 ($1,000,000), and May 3, 2025 ($1,000,000). All verified by the Western Canada Lottery Corporation.
Which lottery games did he play?
He played Lotto Max for the first win and Lotto 6/49 for the subsequent two. His long-time favourite is Lotto 6/49, which he has played since 1982.
How did the wins compare in size?
The first win was $500,000; the next two were double that—$1 million each. The $250,000 win from over a decade ago was smaller but still significant.
Serkin’s winnings grew over time: his most recent two prizes are each twice as large as his first major win, suggesting his luck (or ticket-buying strategy) escalated.
Each win, though separate, adds to the narrative of extraordinary luck.
Can you stay anonymous when you win the lottery in Alberta?
In Alberta, lottery winners are typically identified by name when the prize is announced—there is no automatic anonymity.
Does Alberta allow anonymous lottery claims?
No. The province does not have a blanket policy to keep names confidential. The Western Canada Lottery Corporation publishes winners’ names as part of its transparency protocols.
What are the exceptions or conditions?
Rare exceptions exist if a winner can prove a safety risk or special personal circumstances. Such requests are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, but few are granted.
How does this compare to other Canadian provinces?
| Province | Anonymity Policy |
|---|---|
| Alberta | Public disclosure by default; exceptions rarely granted |
| British Columbia | Public disclosure with optional limited anonymity upon request |
| Manitoba | Winners may choose to remain anonymous |
| Ontario | All winners’ names are published |
| Quebec | Winners can request anonymity and are usually granted it |
The implication: If you win big in Alberta, prepare to have your name in the news—unless you can demonstrate a credible threat.
What should you do if you win the lottery in Canada?
- Sign the back of the ticket immediately—this proves ownership.
- Keep the ticket in a secure location, such as a safety deposit box.
- Contact a lawyer and a financial advisor before visiting the lottery office.
- Claim the prize within 60 days at a designated Western Canada Lottery Corporation office.
What are the first steps after a big win?
- Sign the ticket.
- Place it somewhere safe.
- Tell only trusted family or advisors.
- Consult a professional team.
Should you consult a financial advisor or lawyer?
Absolutely. A financial planner helps manage the lump sum or annuity options, while a lawyer can advise on tax implications (lottery winnings are tax-free in Canada, but the interest on invested money is taxable).
How do you claim the prize with the Western Canada Lottery Corporation?
Bring the signed ticket and two pieces of ID to a WCLC claim centre. Prizes over $10,000 require validation, which typically takes a few business days.
Winners in Alberta gain immediate publicity, but they also receive free financial advice from the lottery corporation. The trade-off: lost privacy for professional onboarding.
These steps can help protect both your financial and personal well-being.
For related financial guidance, see our articles on Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit 2026 and Carbon Tax Rebate Ontario: Eligibility, Amounts & Dates 2025.
How much has David Serkin won in total?
His three major prizes total $2.5 million CAD. Including his earlier $250,000 win, the lifetime haul is $2.75 million CAD.
What is the breakdown of his winnings?
Here is a complete breakdown including his earlier win.
| Prize | Amount | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Early win | $250,000 | ~2013 |
| Lotto Max | $500,000 | August 20, 2024 |
| Lotto 6/49 | $1,000,000 | November 16, 2024 |
| Lotto 6/49 Gold Ball | $1,000,000 | May 3, 2025 |
How does his luck compare to other Canadian lottery winners?
There have been other multi-win stories—like a Quebec man who won twice—but three major jackpots in under a year is exceptionally rare. The odds of winning a Lotto 6/49 jackpot once are about 1 in 14 million. Three times: effectively incalculable.
What are the odds of such a streak?
If we simplify: winning three separate 1-in-14-million draws independently yields odds of 1 in 2.7×1021—essentially impossible without some non-random factor (like extremely frequent play). Serkin has played Lotto 6/49 for 43 years.
Timeline: David Serkin’s lottery wins
- ~2013: Wins $250,000 in an undated draw. (NOW Toronto)
- August 20, 2024: Wins $500,000 in a Lotto Max draw. (Global News Canada)
- November 16, 2024: Wins $1 million in Lotto 6/49.
- May 3, 2025: Wins $1 million in Lotto 6/49 Gold Ball draw. (NOW Toronto)
- June 2025: News outlets widely report his three recent wins.
- September 2025: Some headlines mention a possible fourth win (the earlier $250,000 prize), but details are unconfirmed.
Confirmed facts
- David Serkin won three major lottery prizes totaling $2.5 million between August 2024 and May 2025. (Global News Canada)
- He is a retiree and cancer survivor from Lethbridge, Alberta. (Global News Canada)
- His wins were in Lotto Max and Lotto 6/49 draws. (Global News Canada)
What’s unclear
- Whether a fourth win ($250,000) actually occurred—most authoritative sources report three major wins, but one outlet mentions four. (NOW Toronto)
- Exact age of David Serkin.
- How he selected his lottery numbers.
Quotes from the winners and officials
“I still can’t believe it. Each time I checked the ticket, I thought it was a mistake.”
— David Serkin, via statement to lottery officials (Global News Canada)
“This kind of streak is exceptionally rare. We’ve validated all three wins and David followed proper claiming procedures each time.”
— Western Canada Lottery Corporation spokesperson (NOW Toronto)
For David Serkin, the math is clear: consistent play over 43 years and an improbable run of luck. For any Albertan who dreams of a similar payout, the lesson is simple—sign the ticket, get professional advice, and remember that anonymity may not be an option. The real jackpot might be the time you buy yourself.
Frequently asked questions
What lottery games did David Serkin win?
Lotto Max (August 2024) and Lotto 6/49 (November 2024, May 2025).
How old is David Serkin?
His exact age has not been publicly released, but he is described as a retiree.
Is David Serkin married?
Yes, he has been married to his wife for many years; they travelled together after his first win.
What did he spend his winnings on?
He took trips to Hawaii and Newfoundland with his wife, and used some money to help his children.
How does the Western Canada Lottery Corporation verify winners?
They validate the ticket through their secure system, confirm the purchase, and require photo ID. The process can take up to a week for prizes over $10,000.
Can lottery winners in Canada remain anonymous?
Not in Alberta or most provinces. Only Manitoba and Quebec offer broad anonymity options.
What are the odds of hitting three jackpots?
Astronomically low—roughly 1 in 2.7×1021 if each draw is independent. Frequent buying reduces the effective odds slightly, but it remains a statistical outlier.
Has anyone else won multiple lottery jackpots in Canada?
Yes, but rare. Examples include a Quebec woman who won two Lotto 6/49 jackpots, and a B.C. man who won twice in five years. No known Canadian has matched Serkin’s three-in-a-year feat.
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