Fort St. John woman celebrates $687,000 BC Lottery jackpot win

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Fort St. John’s Leann Carter has won more than $600,000 in a BC Lottery Corporation (BCLC) online slots game.

According to a press release from BCLC, Carter was playing a game on the corporation’s website, PlayNow, on Saturday, March 22nd, when she suddenly won the game’s $687,086.11 jackpot prize.

Carter says she was shocked and amazed when found out she had won.

“I was looking at my phone saying, ‘no way!’” Carter said. “I still can’t believe it.”

According to Carter, her reaction and excitement were so loud that she frightened her husband, who was in another room at the time.

Carter is the first winner in northeastern B.C. announced by BCLC so far this year. 

2024 saw several major lottery wins in the region, with hundreds of thousands of dollars won by residents of Fort Nelson, Charlie Lake, Moberly Lake and more.

In 2023, BCLC paid nearly $60 million to people living in northern B.C., including two separate tickets for $500,000 each.

Carter said she plans to use the money she won to pay off her mortgage and may also enjoy some time traveling.