What is "wintario"

Wintario was the first lottery game offered by the Ontario Lottery Corporation in Ontario, Canada.

Beginning in May 1975, Wintario, Ontario's flagship lottery was born. Conceived by Ontario's Progressive Conservative Government, Wintario came from an idea that it could raise money for worthwhile community recreational projects from which the province could benefit. The first draw was held from the Ontario Science Centre in Toronto on May 15, 1975 and broadcast on television with Fred Davis and Charlie Farquharson, Don Harron's alter ego. He came up with Wintario's first button presser selected from the audience. It was decided that Wintario draw its winning numbers in communities that the Ministries of Tourism and Recreation and Citizenship and Culture helped through lottery funds.

The next nine Wintario draws were not televised, but took place in communities such as Plantagenet, Wallaceburg, Bracebridge, Oakville and St. Catharines, to name a few. In October 1975, in Sault Ste. Marie, the draw began broadcasting on the Global Television Network, hosted initially by Fred Davis and Faye Dance.

Greg Beresford replaced Davis when he retired in October 1980. Replacement co-hosts for Dance and Beresford were Pam Henry and CHFI-FM's Sandy Hoyt. Bill Lawrence also filled in during the early 1980s.