Banff Legion 'Chase The Ace' Winner Takes Home $32K Jackpot

A Banff resident won $32,688 after drawing the ace of spades in a Chase the Ace fundraiser at the Banff Legion, ending a 32-week run as the weekly jackpot steadily grew.

Chase the Ace is a progressive raffle commonly run by Legions and other charitable organizations, where participants buy tickets each week for a chance to select a playing card from a deck. The jackpot grows until the ace of spades is drawn, ending the round and awarding the accumulated prize.

Paul Koteles of Banff won $31,038 from the progressive jackpot along with an additional $1,650 weekly prize, according to the Legion.

The most recent Banff Legion draw ran for about 32 weeks before the winning card was selected, with anticipation building as the jackpot increased over time.

“The most recent draw ran around 32 weeks before the winner found the ace. As the weeks go by and the pot grows the excitement level increases,” said Bryan Gerrie, a member of the Banff Legion.

Draws are held weekly on Saturdays and can continue for up to 52 weeks, depending on how long it takes for the ace to be drawn.

Participation varies week to week, with more tickets typically sold as the jackpot increases, Gerrie said. Tickets can be purchased at the Legion on draw day or online at any time.

While the Banff jackpot reached just over $32,000, similar Chase the Ace draws in larger centres have grown to significantly higher amounts. A recent draw in Sarnia, Ont., drew hundreds of participants and built a jackpot of about $1.6 million, highlighting how interest can scale as prizes increase.

The Banff Legion has been running the fundraiser annually since July 2021, with past jackpots reaching nearly $200,000, Gerrie said, placing the latest win among the more notable local prizes in recent years.

Proceeds retained by the Legion support community initiatives and operations.

“The Legion portion goes to support donations to the community such as YWCA and other branch programs along with supporting branch maintenance,” he said.

With the latest round now complete, the Legion is expected to launch another Chase the Ace draw, continuing a fundraiser that has grown in popularity in Banff.