A pair of friends from Abbotsford and Duncan are celebrating a Maxmillions prize of $1 million from the Oct. 18, 2022 Lotto Max draw.

Douglas Snitchuk and James Walsh, from Abbotsford and Duncan respectively, have known each other since they were in Grade 8 and have played the Lotto 6/49 together for many years.

Walso purchased the winning ticket at at Honeymoon Bay Food & General Store on South Shore Road, near Lake Cowichan on Vancouver Island.

鈥淚 was in the Nanaimo Walmart at Woodgrove Mall, and checked the machine and counted the zeros,鈥� stated Walsh. 鈥淚 counted the zeros and thought 鈥榥o way鈥� and must have checked five times before I gave it to the clerk, I almost fainted.鈥�

Walsh first told his wife and then Snitchuk, who initially thought it was a joke.

The pair plan to take in sporting events, travel and relax with the winnings.

So far in 2022, B.C. lottery players have redeemed more than $156 million from Lotto Max. Lotto Max is a nationwide lottery game drawn on Tuesday鈥檚 and Friday鈥檚 after 7:30 p.m. (PST).