Meet Manitoba’s newest millionaires

Drita Zeqiri (left) and Viviana Soriano poses with cheques highlighting their recent lottery wins in Manitoba (WCLC)

Two Winnipeggers have become millionaires after winning jackpots in recent lotteries.

Viviana Soriano recently won $2 million on the Western 649 draw on March 21, while Drita Zeqiri won $1 million on the March 31 Lotto Max draw.

Soriano said she found out she was a winner after checking her numbers following a work shift and said she was stunned to see her numbers matched.

“I was very overwhelmed,” Soriano said in a news release. “I’ve been playing these numbers on and off for over 20 years.”

Zeqiri found out she was a winner while at a store with her daughter-in-law and grandson, and she found a ticket she forgot about.

“I gave it to the cashier to scan and when I checked the screen, I thought it said I won a dollar,” Zeqiri said in a news release. “The cashier said, ‘There’s more zeroes!’”

Zeqiri and Soriano both said they plan to enjoy the winnings with their families and put it towards their retirements.

Zeqiri’s winning numbers matched a MaxMillions selection: 8, 9, 16, 31, 36, 37, and 38. She purchased her ticket at the Superstore on St. Anne’s Road.

Soriano’s winning numbers were 4, 17, 24, 29, 31, and 47. She purchased her ticket from the general store at McPhillips Street Station.