For most people, winning millions on the lottery would be a life-changing event. However, for Joel Ifergan, a seven-second delay proved to be a costly mistake that altered his fate dramatically.
On 23 May 2008, just before the 9pm cut-off time, Joel entered a convenience store in Quebec, Canada, to buy tickets for that evening’s Lotto Super 7 draw. Encouraged by the shop assistant to hurry, Joel believed he successfully purchased two tickets with the lottery terminal clock showing 8.59pm.
Unfortunately, only one ticket was processed before the 9pm deadline. The second ticket was recorded by Loto-Quebec’s website seven seconds late, making it valid only for the following week’s draw, according to reports from the Express.
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Ironically, it was the second ticket-the one registered late-that would have been a winning entry for half of the substantial C$27 million jackpot, approximately £14 million. Instead, another player claimed the entire prize.
Joel contends that, had the ticket been purchased in other parts of Canada, he would have been declared a millionaire. This is because, outside Quebec, the lottery system only allows ticket sales up to 9pm, but any purchase initiated before the deadline is still processed and a ticket issued, even if it prints afterward.
Refusing to accept his loss quietly, Joel took legal action. However, both the Quebec Superior Court and the Quebec Court of Appeal ruled against him, culminating in a seven-year legal battle that ended when the Supreme Court of Canada dismissed his appeal.
Throughout this process, Joel reportedly spent around £53,000 on legal fees. He expressed his frustration, stating, “I’m really disappointed in the decision, and it’s not because it’s about the money. It’s a question of fairness. A transaction initiated before 9pm should be honoured.”
He added, “Yes, it cost me a lot of money, but it also consumed me for seven years. My crusade is up, I’ve done all I can, I spent enough money going to the Supreme Court.”
Loto-Quebec spokesman Jean-Pierre Roy welcomed the Supreme Court ruling, affirming that their procedures were reliable and appropriate: “The (original) judgement was clear and convincing that Loto-Quebec procedures were altogether reliable and integrated and were the right ones.”
The convenience store owner, Mehernosh Iranpur, who sold Joel the tickets, stated that Joel understood the second ticket would be for the following week’s draw.
This case highlights the critical importance of precise timing in lottery purchases and the complexities that can arise from system procedures and regional differences in regulations.