How to Prove Ownership of a Lottery Ticket in Court

Published on January 19, 2026

Winning the lottery should be cause for celebration, but disputes over ticket ownership can quickly turn your windfall into a legal battle. Whether someone claims your ticket was stolen, a lottery pool member refuses to share winnings, or a family member contests ownership, proving your claim in Ontario courts requires solid evidence.

Common Lottery Disputes

Lottery ownership disputes typically involve stolen or lost tickets, workplace or family lottery pool disagreements, confusion over whether a ticket was a gift, or claims by multiple parties. In each scenario, you must prove your ownership or participation with concrete evidence.

What Courts Consider as Proof

Physical Possession: Holding the ticket creates a presumption of ownership, but it’s not conclusive. Others can challenge this with stronger evidence.

Proof of Purchase: Credit card statements, bank records, or retailer receipts showing you bought the ticket are powerful evidence. Surveillance footage from the retailer can also confirm your purchase.

Written Documentation: Lottery pool agreements, emails, text messages, or group chats discussing the pool arrangement, contributions, and how winnings would be shared carry significant weight. Even informal written communications help establish your claim.

Financial Records: E-transfer records, payment confirmations, or contribution logs proving you paid into a lottery pool demonstrate participation.

Witness Testimony: Co-workers, family, or friends who can testify about the pool arrangement, your regular participation, or who saw you purchase the ticket strengthen your case.

Pattern of Behavior: Regular participation in lottery pools, consistent contributions over time, and how previous smaller winnings were distributed all support your claim.

Evidence You Should Gather Immediately

Document all conversations about the dispute from this moment forward. Search your phone and email for past discussions about lottery pools or ticket purchases. Gather bank statements and transaction records. Identify witnesses who knew about the pool or saw relevant events. Photograph the ticket and store it securely. If the ticket was purchased at a retailer, act quickly to preserve surveillance footage before it’s deleted.

Contact Pinto Shekib LLP, Your Toronto Lottery Litigation Lawyers

Consult a civil litigation lawyer if the disputed winnings are substantial, the other party refuses to negotiate or has already cashed the ticket, you need urgent court intervention, or settlement talks have failed.