Lottery Ticket Seven Seconds Late Sparks Seven-Year Legal Battle
For Joel Ifergan, buying a lottery ticket became the start of a seven-year legal fight after one of his tickets was processed just seconds too late.
On May 23, 2008, the Quebec accountant stopped at a convenience store shortly before the 9 p.m. deadline for that night’s Lotto Super 7 drawing. He purchased two tickets, believing both had made it through before the cutoff.
But there was a problem.
The lottery terminal showed 8:59 p.m. when the tickets were being processed. While the first ticket was registered on time, the second was recorded by Loto-Quebec’s system seven seconds after the deadline.
That tiny delay changed everything.
The second ticket was automatically moved to the following week’s drawing. Had it been included in the original draw, Ifergan believed it would have won half of the C$27 million (about US$19 million) jackpot.
Instead, another player took the jackpot.
Why the Ticket Was Rejected
Quebec’s lottery rules created an unusual situation. Purchases started before the 9 p.m. cutoff could still be completed and printed afterward. Ifergan argued that because his transaction began before the deadline, the ticket should have counted.
He maintained that the issue was about fairness, not money, saying a transaction started before 9 p.m. should be honored.
Ifergan refused to let the matter go and took his case to court. His legal battle continued for roughly seven years, but he lost at the Quebec Superior Court and the Quebec Court of Appeal. The Supreme Court of Canada eventually rejected his final appeal.
The fight reportedly cost him around $71,000 in legal fees.
“My crusade is up,” Ifergan said, explaining that he had spent enough money and time pursuing the case.
Not Everyone Agreed With Him
The convenience store owner, Mehernosh Iranpur, said Ifergan knew the second ticket was actually for the following week.
Loto-Quebec also stood by its system and welcomed the Supreme Court's decision, arguing that its lottery procedures were reliable and properly integrated.
In the end, seven seconds cost Ifergan a shot at millions—and led to years of courtroom battles.
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