A Whitemouth man is suddenly in the spotlight after winning Manitoba’s biggest lottery prize ever — a massive $46 million Lotto 6-49 Gold Ball jackpot. And while the number is life-changing, he says his first thought wasn’t about luxury, but about taking care of the people he loves.
He’s planning to use the windfall to support his family for generations, making sure his children and grandchildren benefit from the unexpected fortune.
“I thought I won $46,000… then I saw the zeros”
Earl Giesbrecht described the moment everything changed while checking his ticket at a local supermarket. At first, it didn’t even feel real.
He said he wasn’t planning to check his tickets at all that day. Like usual, he had bought entries for the Tuesday–Wednesday and Friday–Saturday draws, assuming it would be another routine loss.
But then things shifted quickly.
- Ticket scan: “not a winner”
- Another scan: “not a winner”
- Then: a free play… and everything changed
At first, he believed he had won $46,000. But once the cashier pointed out the full amount, reality hit hard.
“When I started counting the zeros, the cashier said, ‘It’s actually $46 million,’ and I just about fell over,” he said.
His biggest previous lottery win? Just $1,200 — making this jump almost impossible to comprehend.
Calling family before the news even sank in
Right after realizing he had won, Giesbrecht immediately called his brother. Soon after, the news spread through his family, who gathered to celebrate with him on Thursday.
His newly married son was also in attendance — a fun twist, since his wedding happened on the very same day as the winning draw.
Joking about family input on his new fortune, he said they’ll likely keep him grounded.
- “They’ll tell dad what to do and what not to do,” he laughed
What he plans to do with the money
Despite the huge jackpot, Giesbrecht says he’s staying focused on family first. His children — and even in-laws — are expected to receive vehicles of their choice.
But he’s also thinking bigger than just immediate gifts. His goal is long-term stability and opportunity for future generations.
He hopes the money will continue to benefit his grandchildren and beyond.
Giving back to his hometown
Giesbrecht, who grew up in Whitemouth — a small town just over 100 km from Winnipeg — says he hasn’t forgotten where he came from.
One cause especially close to his heart is the local fire department.
He mentioned the Whitemouth Fire Department needs a water tanker, and he plans to help fund it.
“If anyone’s house in the area is burning, they’re going to come,” he said, adding he wants the truck to be named “Big E.”
From small-town roots to retirement and back again
After spending about 40 years working in northern Manitoba, Giesbrecht returned to his hometown in December following retirement. Now, not long after moving back, he’s become a multimillionaire — a life change he never saw coming.
From a routine lottery ticket check to a record-breaking win, his story has quickly become the talk of Whitemouth.
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