A Winnipeg man has filed a civil lawsuit against his former romantic partner, claiming she wrongfully claimed a $5 million lottery prize they had allegedly agreed to share. The high-stakes legal battle, now making headlines across Canada, raises questions about verbal agreements, trust in personal relationships, and how courts handle disputes over lottery winnings.
According to court documents filed this week, the plaintiff alleges that he and his former partner, with whom he was in a long-term relationship, had been jointly purchasing lottery tickets for years with a verbal understanding that any winnings would be shared equally. The controversy erupted when the ex-partner reportedly cashed in a $5 million winning ticket from a recent Lotto 6/49 draw—without informing or including him in the claim.
The man claims that the winning ticket was purchased using their shared funds and is demanding that the court recognize his entitlement to half of the prize. He is seeking $2.5 million in damages, alleging breach of trust, unjust enrichment, and bad faith.
“She acted in total disregard for our long-standing agreement,” the plaintiff stated in his affidavit. “We bought those tickets together, just as we always did, and agreed that we would split any winnings.”
The defendant, who has not yet filed a statement of defense, is expected to contest the claim. Legal experts suggest the case may hinge on whether there is sufficient evidence to prove a binding agreement between the two parties, particularly in the absence of a written contract.
“This is not the first time we’ve seen personal relationships collide with financial windfalls,” said Toronto-based civil litigation lawyer Amanda Burke. “Courts will look at the nature of the relationship, the pattern of behavior, and any evidence that points to a mutual understanding.”
The Manitoba Lotteries Corporation has confirmed that the ticket was validated and the prize was paid out to the defendant, who is listed as the sole ticket holder on the official claim. However, they also noted that disputes over lottery winnings are outside their jurisdiction and must be resolved through the courts.
The lawsuit has sparked debate online, with many weighing in on the risks of shared lottery agreements and the importance of documenting financial arrangements—even between romantic partners.
As the case proceeds, the outcome could set a precedent for how Canadian courts handle disputes over informal financial agreements between couples, particularly in situations involving high-value assets like lottery winnings.
The first court hearing is expected later this summer, with both sides gearing up for what could become one of the province’s most closely watched civil cases in recent memory.
Source : Swifteradio.com
