Mohamed Nimji of Edmonton is celebrating a $1 million Lotto Max win after discovering that an unchecked ticket in the Lotto Spot app had matched a million-dollar prize.
The winning ticket was purchased through the app for the Lotto Max draw held on August 18, 2026, according to the Western Canada Lottery Corporation.
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Mohamed Nimji discovered the win while buying another ticket
Nimji opened the app to purchase a ticket for a later draw when he noticed a notification saying he had several tickets waiting to be checked.
When he reviewed the tickets, one showed that it had won $1 million.
The Edmonton winner initially questioned whether the result was genuine and compared it with another winning ticket before accepting that he had received the top prize shown on the notification.
“I was in disbelief,” Nimji said in the official winner release.
Winner plans to save and travel
Nimji said his first plans for the money include putting funds toward retirement and travelling to Africa next year.
He was born in Africa, making the planned trip a personally meaningful use of part of the prize.
The winner did not indicate that he intended to make an immediate large purchase, instead pointing to longer-term financial security and travel as priorities.
What the Lotto Max win means
Nimji’s prize came from a million-dollar Lotto Max selection rather than the game’s main jackpot.
Lotto Max includes several prize categories, meaning a ticket can produce a substantial payout without matching all the numbers required for the jackpot.
The August 18 draw date is separate from the later Lotto Max results and jackpot announcements issued in October.
Players checking older tickets should use the draw date printed on the ticket and confirm results through the lottery corporation that operates in their province.
For Alberta players, the Western Canada Lottery Corporation provides official information about winning numbers, prize claims and winner announcements.
How to check a Lotto Max ticket
- Compare the ticket with the official numbers for the specific draw date.
- Use an authorized lottery app, retailer terminal or lottery corporation website to verify a possible win.
- Keep the original ticket secure until the claim has been completed.
- Follow the applicable provincial lottery corporation’s instructions for claiming the prize.
Digital ticket notifications can help players identify unchecked purchases, but a prize should still be confirmed through an official lottery channel.
Nimji’s story also highlights the importance of reviewing older tickets rather than assuming that an unchecked ticket has no value.
Lottery prizes are subject to the rules and claim procedures of the relevant lottery corporation.
The WCLC remains the authoritative source for the official details of this Alberta win.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Mohamed Nimji?
Mohamed Nimji is an Edmonton resident who won $1 million in the August 18, 2026, Lotto Max draw.
How did Mohamed Nimji find out he won?
He noticed an alert about unchecked tickets when he opened the Lotto Spot app to buy another ticket.
How much did Mohamed Nimji win?
He won a $1 million Lotto Max prize.
What does Nimji plan to do with the money?
He said he plans to put money toward retirement and travel to Africa next year.
Where can Alberta players verify Lotto Max wins?
Players should use official Western Canada Lottery Corporation information, an authorized retailer or the official lottery app to verify a ticket.
Fact-Checked: The official WCLC winner release confirms the August 18 draw date and the winner’s plans; no temporal corrections are required. ([wclc.com](https://www.wclc.com/media-centre/recent-winner-releases/winner-releases/1-million-lotto-max-win-in-edmonton-1.htm?utm_source=openai))
Disclaimer: Lottery games involve chance, and players should check tickets and claim prizes only through authorized lottery channels.