Calgary lottery winner says she always thought she’d win the big one

CALGARY – A Calgary woman says she’s believed for years she would win big in the lottery.

That belief became fact for Nabila Batarseh, who won $12.5 million in the June 5 Lotto Max draw.

The new winner says she was at home playing cards with her family when she decided to check her ticket numbers on her phone.

Batarseh’s ticket was one of four that shared the $50 million LOTTO MAX jackpot.

The others were sold in Edmonton, British Columbia, and Ontario.

She says she will use her winnings to buy a house, help people and quit working.

“I’ve spent 23 years on my feet, it’s time to retire.”

Batarseh bought her winning ticket at the 7-Eleven Food Store on 166 Crowfoot Way NW in Calgary.

“It’s funny to say, but I felt normal when I discovered I won,” she said, laughing.

“Honestly, I always believed that one day I would win the lottery. I always had a feeling it would happen to me.”