Imagine playing the same lotto numbers for 30 years, then finally winning for the first time with another set of different numbers.

This is what happened to Ontario man Dean Agnew. The 64-year-old won a Lotto Max second prize worth $70,828.60 with a Free Play ticket.

“I’ve been playing the same numbers for 30 years,” said the London resident.

After winning and playing a Free Play ticket, Agnew decided to check the numbers at the store. However, the results - which turned out to be a prize - didn’t look right.

“I asked the store clerk to come check my ticket with me because I thought something was wrong,” he said.

“I scanned the ticket again and his face lit up – he was so excited and happy,”

“He said, ‘I’ve never seen anything like this!'” recalled Agnew.

“I was caught right off guard. I was so shocked and surprised.”

The winning ticket was sold at Ins Market on Wellington Road in London. The store will receive a bonus of $700 for selling the winning ticket.

Dean is now retired after working in the automotive industry. He said he has been playing the lottery for three decades and uses the same strategy.

Dean collected his prize check at the Ontario Lottery and Gaming (OLG) Prize Centre to pick up his winnings.

He planned to use some of the funds for his home renovations and wants to manage his money wisely.

“This was so unexpected,” he said. “I am so grateful for this win.”

ABOUT Free Play: Lotto Max players get a free play when they get three numbers right on one line. They’ll then get a Quick Pick ticket with three 7-number selections for the next game.