But the way Joe Staszuk figures it, the big Super 7 lottery win will leave him about $8,000 in the hole when all is said and done.

Although he was reluctant to have his picture taken, Joe Staszuk of Hay River relented since it was one of the conditions to receive his lottery win from the Western Canada Lottery Corporation. - Photo courtesy of Western Canada Lottery Corporation

That's because he will be giving away all but $20,000 of the money. And as for his share of the prize, he has already spent it on a $28,000 used truck, hence the $8,000 deficit for him to pay off.

Staszuk says he will be helping his children, his brothers and sisters, and his wife's family members.

"It's all earmarked. It's all spent," says the 59-year-old maintenance specialist with the Northwest Territories Power Corporation.

Staszuk says he had always intended to help family members, and some friends, if he won a lottery prize.

"I make a decent living," he says, although he notes some family members are struggling.

Staszuk says he was shocked when he first checked his ticket, and for an instant thought he had won the Jan. 10 $7.5 million Super 7 jackpot, which he missed by one number.

His Super 7 ticket matched six regular numbers and the bonus number.

Staszuk notes the win comes after a bad December, during which he had fallen and damaged ligaments in his thigh.

"I figured in January my luck was bound to change," he says, explaining that was one of the reasons he bought a ticket.

Staszuk and his wife, Mary, were in Edmonton Jan. 20 to pick up the winnings and buy the truck.

However, he says, he didn't want to get his picture taken, which is one of the conditions to receive a large prize from the Western Canada Lottery Corporation.

Staszuk jokingly said he changed his mind when his wife kicked him in the shins.

Staszuk generally buys tickets when the jackpot is high.

He purchased the ticket -- the same numbers he has played for five years -- at Ring's Pharmacy.