A Cape Breton couple is $17.4 million richer after winning the Lotto 6/49 jackpot — their second win in a lucky seven years. 

Raymond and Gaye Lillington of Dingwall, N.S., picked up the second-largest lottery prize ever won in Nova Scotia — $17,405,148.93 — coming in just under the record-holding $17.5 million Lotto 6/49 prize awarded in 2007.

The pair plan to share the win with their five children and six grandchildren, but this isn't the first time that the Lillingtons have claimed a multimillion-dollar prize.

Back in 2013, Raymond won a $3.2 million Lotto 6/49 jackpot. 

“I still played and people said, ‘You’ll never win again,’ and I said, ‘Of course I will,”’ said Raymond in a statement after the Aug. 15 win. 

 “But that was a joke! I never imagined this could actually happen.”

#AtlanticWin pic.twitter.com/CJUDHvjURY

— Atlantic Lottery (@AL_Lottery) August 19, 2020

“Winning twice is what makes this all so hard to believe,” he continued. “What are the odds? I could never expect this, and it’s so much money that it’s hard to absorb that information.”

The first lottery win set the Lillingtons up for retirement, allowing them to purchase a new home, new vehicles and to fulfil most of their travel dreams. 

This time around, it is their family and loved ones who will really see the benefits of the prize.

“Our kids are even more mesmerized than we are. They just can’t believe it,” added Raymond. “My oldest texted me a million times today — he can’t eat, he can’t sleep, the kids just can’t believe it’s real.”

Raymond  bought the winning ticket at Cabot Trail Food Market in Dingwall, N.S. The retailer will receive a one per cent seller’s prize.

Raymond and Gaye say COVID-19 has motivated them to live life to the fullest, and they are already planning to do some more international travel as soon as it is safe again. 

They say they also intend to support some local organizations that are close to their hearts.