MLL denies liability in $5M ticket lawsuit

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 03/07/2025 (267 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

WINNIPEG — Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries says it isn’t liable in the legal tussle over a $5-million lottery win between a woman and her ex-boyfriend.

The Crown corporation issued a statement of defence that argues the claim against it, filed by the ex-boyfriend on May 14, has no merit and must be dismissed.

“(MLL) specifically denies that it was responsible for prize investigation, prize authorization or prize payouts,” reads its court filing.

It’s the latest development in the case launched by Winnipegger Lawrence Campbell against Krystal McKay, which also names Liquor & Lotteries and the Western Canada Lottery Corp. as defendants, over the winning Lotto 6/49 ticket purchased in January 2024.

“This action ought to be dismissed as against (MLL), with costs,” reads the Crown corporation’s statement of defence, which was filed Monday.

Campbell argues he bought the ticket for himself, but allowed McKay to claim it as her own, believing he could not receive the money unless he had government-issued ID and an active bank account. He claims she “ghosted” him and absconded with the money.

In her statement of defence, McKay claims Campbell purchased the ticket as a present for her one day before her birthday, meaning the money is rightfully hers. She said there was no discussion about him getting the cash.

Campbell’s lawsuit claims the Western Canada Lottery Corp. provided improper advice to him and it accuses Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries of having deficient or non-existent oversight when the money was disbursed. The suit argues both entities are vicariously liable.

Liquor & Lotteries says it does not conduct, manage or operate WCLC’s games, including Lotto 6/49. Its responsibilities were limited to distributing and marketing the lotto, it says.

The lottery corporations jointly held a news conference on Jan. 30, 2024, to announce McKay as the winner of the $5-million prize and the first Manitoban to become a lotto millionaire that year.

Liquor & Lotteries says WCLC invited it to the news conference as its marketing partner.

It denies any responsibility for Campbell’s claims.

“At all material times, (Liquor & Lotteries) acted within the scope of its duties and in accordance with its obligations pursuant to applicable legislation and that no act or omission by it was the cause of any legally compensable harm suffered by the plaintiff,” argue the court filings.

WCLC has yet to file its statement of defence.

On June 13, a judge ordered McKay’s assets temporarily frozen and approved an injunction that temporarily prohibits her from selling or transferring real estate, vehicles or anything that has a value greater than $3,500, while the case proceeds through court.

The order only applies to property and items McKay purchased after the $5 million was deposited into her bank account.

» Winnipeg Free Press