Judge Awards $112K Online Casino Jackpot to Account Holder

Following a dispute between former partners in Canada over a six-figure win at an online casino, a Canadian judge has made a ruling. 

The ruling: the money belonged to the woman whose account was used, despite the ex-boyfriend claiming to be the one who hit it, according to CTV News. 

The jackpot was for more than $112,000, and it came in April 2022. The ex-boyfriend, Timothy Jones, a 51-year-old fisherman, said the money should be his because he was playing at the time and had put money into the account before winning. 

However, it instead went to Cheryl Johnson, a 50-year-old social worker.

“This is not a case where the casino winnings were paid by mistake to the defendant,” reads Tindale’s decision from last week. “It was the defendant’s casino account and it was the defendant’s money which was used to play the winning game.”

This decision came right around the time Alberta opened its virtual doors for online sports betting and casino play. 

Court Finds Account Holder Owned the Winnings

Additionally, the judge found that Jones was playing without permission, as Johnson asked him to stop playing using said account in December 2021. CTV News said he didn't dispute that. 

Johnson did send him payments totaling $5,200, but said she did that to “get him out of her life."

At the time, Jones wasn't working as his job is seasonal, so he was depending on employment insurance. He received a payment on April 13, deposited $190 into the account, and later won the money. 

“The plaintiff says that because he provided the funds for the casino winnings, he is beneficially entitled to the winnings and the defendant received those funds as a constructive trustee,” reads Tindale’s judgment.

Judge Rejects Ex-Boyfriend's Arguments

Also, while playing, Jones allowed Johnson's teenage son, who wasn't legally old enough to gamble, to "make a few spins." 

Jones later took to Facebook to announce he won, but said he wasn't referring to the son.