Last Saturday, a group of A&W employees in Mission, BC won a $14.6 million Lotto 649 jackpot. However, they have yet to receive the cheque.
The lucky winners are a group of 9 or 11, depending on who you listen to. After it became known that there were 9 lucky employees involved, two other employees came forward to claim a piece of the pie. They said they participated in a group purchase of tickets but were being unfairly excluded, although it is not clear why. Both parties have been interviewed by the Lottery Corporation and have until early next week to resolve the matter or it will be referred to the courts.
There is not enough information to draw a conclusion, however something is strange here: did the group of nine buy some extra tickets in the other's absence? Was the party of two delinquent in their contributions to the ticket purchase fund? Is this a personality clash in the workplace or are the two just sore losers trying to cash in?
It is my bet that when all is said and done, there will be 11 people sharing the prize. If there has been a tradition of group ticket purchasing, the court will likely overlook a missed contribution. The court would also be likely to rule that additional tickets purchased in some employee's absence belong to the entire group.
A nine way split is roughly $1.6 million each versus $1.3 million each for an 11 way split. A big difference if it is coming out of your pocket, but not so big given the circumstances and the fact it is like found money. The group of nine has to decide whether to include their two workmates and take less for themselves or go for it all and give a big chunk of those extra dollars to the lawyers.
Seems like an easy decision to me.
Article comments
1 - Eric Olsen
OJ, I totally agree with your assessment, which is logical and reasonable - well done!
2 - Ordinary Joe
Thanks Eric, I must admit I did briefly entertain the thought of putting in a claim as well, you know, the rationale being that since I eat at A&W sometimes, indirectly I contributed to their wages which they spent on the winning ticket--you can see the logic, right....
3 - Mark Sahm
As the once-great David Lee Roth sang, "Everybody wants some!" Although I don't believe he was referring to money though.
In the end, I'd say taking $1.3 million beats the hell out of winning the $200 company football pool.
4 - jet brother
I think all what this smart guys need to do is explain to the other two guys. We know you very well, and we all hang out. We will not leave you guys out there hanging without getting a share of the pie. I think they all need to agree to give them 1 million to share among the two guys and they can share the rest of the money among the 9. The two guys have to be honest that they did not contribute to the pool. If they decide to put their faith in the lawyers hands, I am sorry they will end up with less money than 1.3m each. Good luck guys, but don't kill each other because of money.
5 - wifferste
Splitting it with all the players in the pot would have easiest decision here. But the participants were all overcome by greed.
Since it's now come to this, I think no one should get it.
6 - yangski_29
Greed over friendship? it's really hard to choose especially if you know you'll be $1.6M richer!!! but then again, if u will still be able to keep $1.3M, or even $1M, and live a comfortable life and still manage to keep the friendship, why let greed overcome everything??? the A&W workers should have just shared the money instead of spending it on lawyers and courts... who knows, in the end they'll all end up with nothing!!! and it's better if they will 'coz then that way there'll be no more fighting...
7 - Marc
It is my bet that when all is said and done, there will be 11 people sharing the prize. If there has been a tradition of group ticket purchasing, the court will likely overlook a missed contribution. The court would also be likely to rule that additional tickets purchased in some employee's absence belong to the entire group.
A nine way split is roughly $1.6 million each versus $1.3 million each for an 11 way split. A big difference if it is coming out of your pocket, but not so big given the circumstances and the fact it is like found money. The group of nine has to decide whether to include their two workmates and take less for themselves or go for it all and give a big chunk of those extra dollars to the lawyers.
Seems like an easy decision to me.
HOWEVER,,,do we know these 2 people?
We have people at work who many of us would love to leave behind because of there work ethics and attitude not to mention moral values.
Think about it.
I would love nothing better than to win but if I didn't buy a TICKET or CONTRIBUTE fot one than I guess I loose EH!!!!
It's not really that hard to figure out.
FOR A NORMAL THINKING HUMAND BEING WITH A SOUL.
8 - DB
I can't seem to find any information as to the outcome of this dispute. Anyone have any current information on this case?
9 - DB
anyone know what became of this case?