July 50/50 Winner Takes Home $1.7 Million Grand Prize

Published Monday, July 28, 2025

July 50/50 Winner Takes Home $1.7 Million Grand Prize

Saif Zaman of Etobicoke wins $1,737,545 in Thunder Bay July 50/50.


On the last Friday of every month, Thunder Bay 50/50 participants across Ontario eagerly wait by the phone at 11:00 am., hoping to be the one to receive the life-changing call from Hospital Foundation CEO Glenn Craig. Today, that call went to Saif Zaman of Etobicoke, who was the grand prize winner in the July 50/50, winning an incredible $1,737,545.

When Craig said, “Can I speak with Saif, please?” the response was instant: “Oh my God, there's no way. Yes, this is Saif. It's 11 o'clock, and I know who you call at 11.” Saif was so stunned, he had to grab a glass of water before continuing.

“This is insane, I wish I could tell you more, but I don't even know what to say,” said Zaman, still in shock. “It's so overwhelming. I've been buying tickets for so long. I dreamt about this.”

Saif then shared a moment he'd recently had with his mom: the two had watched one of the Thunder Bay 50/50 past winner videos together, a winner who had won on a $20 ticket. “We religiously watch your calls every month,” he said. “She told me, ‘Don't worry, it'll happen to you too.”

So, what's next for Saif? “I have a ton of OSAP loans and have been slowly chipping away at them but the interest is more than the payments I make. So, definitely paying those off in full,” he said. “I did want to go to law school, but I couldn't, it's a big financial hurdle. I want to take my mom places; she raised me as a single mom. And if anything… I want to retire her.”

Over $71 million in prizes has been awarded across Ontario with this draw now marking its 23rd consecutive millionaire.

July's $1,737,545 Winner call is a MUST-WATCH!

August Draw Now Open

The August Thunder Bay 50/50 is turning up the heat with our wildly popular Dog Days of Summer draw! Here's what's coming up this month:

  1. $159,000 in total Early Birds with draws every weekday

  2. $100,000 in Early Birds in just the first week which includes a special $25,000 Saturday draw on August 2nd.

  3. $100 Special Summer Ticket Package

  4. Bonus numbers are back on the $20 and $100 ticket packages

  5. Special $9,000 Early Bird on August 8th for International Cat Day

** Tickets must be purchased by 11:59 p.m. ET on Thursday, August 28th, 2025 to be eligible for the Grand Prize draw on Friday, August 29th at 11:00 a.m.

Questions about the draw can be sent to info@thunderbay5050.ca. Ticket purchasers must be present in Ontario to purchase and 18 years of age old or older. The Thunder Bay 50/50 continues each month with the Grand Prize drawn on the last Friday of the month. (2025 Lottery Licence RAF1413948)

 

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