B.C. Co-Workers Lose Lawsuit Over $2M Lotto Jackpot, Judge Cites Spotty Evidence

"Winning the lottery should be a happy event. In this case, sadly, it has ruined relationships."

Justice Liliane Bantourakis’s poignant observation set the tone for a recent B.C. Supreme Court decision involving a legal dispute over a $2 million BC/49 lottery jackpot.

The Case

Surrey trucker Mandeep Singh Maan won the jackpot on August 15, 2022, but his victory quickly soured when four of his colleagues from a trucking company claimed they were entitled to a share of the prize.

The plaintiffs argued that Maan purchased the winning ticket using pooled funds from their regular lottery group, or alternatively, that he had an obligation to buy group tickets on that day.

Maan countered that he bought the ticket independently with his own money, as he regularly did, and that the group’s lottery pooling arrangement was sporadic and inconsistent.

Judge’s Decision

Justice Bantourakis ultimately sided with Maan, citing insufficient evidence and inconsistencies in the plaintiffs' testimony.

The court found:

• Lack of documentation: The alleged lottery pool agreement was not in writing, and only 16 photos of lottery ticket purchases were shared in the group’s WhatsApp chat between June 2021 and August 2022.

• Inconsistent spending: Records from the B.C. Lottery Corporation showed the winning ticket was purchased for $12 at a Langley Chevron. This amount was inconsistent with typical group purchases, which were higher.

• Discrepancies in claims: One plaintiff’s testimony about giving Maan money to buy tickets was found to be inconsistent.

"The fact that the parties bought lottery tickets together, even if they did so with some frequency, is not sufficient to discharge the plaintiffs' burden of proving on a balance of probabilities that they entered into a binding oral agreement with the defendant," the decision reads.

A History of Lottery Enthusiasm

Maan told the court he has been a regular lottery player ever since winning a washing machine in a lottery in India years ago. He said he spends about $400 a month on tickets and bought the winning ticket for the BC/49 draw with his own funds.

Outcome

The plaintiffs’ claims were dismissed, leaving Maan as the sole beneficiary of the $2 million prize. However, the legal battle underscores the importance of documenting group agreements to avoid disputes over winnings.

Justice Bantourakis’s conclusion serves as a cautionary note: "Winning the lottery is meant to bring joy, but unclear arrangements can lead to broken trust and strained relationships."