British Columbia

Victoria trio wins $3.6M Lotto 6/49 prize

Three friends from Victoria say the smiles haven't left their faces since they found out they won a $3.6-million Lotto 6/49 draw.

The three friends say they have been playing the same numbers for the past 22 years

(From left) Bev Allarie, Trish Little and Mary Grills are the winners of the latest Lotto 6/49 draw. (CHECK)

Good things come in threes. 

Three friends in Victoria have won the $3.6-million Lotto 6/49 draw from Feb. 27. 

"The smiles haven't left our faces since we won," said Mary Grills, one of the winners. 

Grills is splitting the prize with Trish Little and Bev Allarie. The three pals say they've known each other for 38 years.

Their winning strategy? Playing the same numbers — a combination of birthdays and ages — for the past 22 years. 

Grills says they had won small prizes before, but never anything more than $90. This prize, she says, is a "comfortable" amount. 

"I don't think this is going to change our lives that much, it's just that we're not going to have to count pennies," she said. 

All three said they recently bought new cars and are planning to pay those off, as well as other debts. 

Little and Allarie also said they've retired from their jobs, effective immediately, and are looking forward to travelling "everywhere."

The winning ticket was purchased at an Esso station in Victoria.