A lighthouse keeper who works near Port Hardy won a million dollars in the lottery, but had to wait two months before he could leave and claim his prize.
Ivan Dubinsky has been a lighthouse keeper for more than 20 years, and because of the full-time commitment to keep aircraft and ships safe, he plays the lottery online, according to the B.C. Lottery Corp.
“It’s difficult to buy lottery tickets when you’re at the lighthouse all the time,” said Dubinsky, in a statement released by BCLC. “You have to be granted leave, and there’s not too many lighthouse keepers available these days.”
Dubinsky said he received notification of his $1-million guaranteed prize win — which came in the Lotto 6/49 Nov. 27 draw — through an email from PlayNow.com.
“When I got that email, I couldn’t believe my eyes, I wasn’t sure whether to believe it or not,” he said.
However, he had to wait two months before someone could replace him at the lighthouse so he could collect his prize.
He told BCLC that he was going to begin the retirement process, maybe buy a house on Vancouver Island and share his winnings with his siblings.
Though he added that he might still want to be a relief lighthouse keeper.
Last year, B.C. lottery players redeemed more than $85 million in lottery tickets, according to BCLC.
The Crown corporation said Dubinsky was not available for an interview.
