For many, winning the lottery is the ultimate fantasy—a golden ticket to a life of luxury and freedom. But for one young couple, what seemed like a dream-come-true quickly unraveled into devastation.
Rachel Kennedy, 19, and her boyfriend Liam McCrohan, 21, had faithfully played the same EuroMillions numbers for weeks. Then, one fateful evening, Rachel checked the lottery app and was met with the words every player longs to see: “Winning Match.”
Overcome with excitement, she called Liam and her mother into the room. “Oh my God, I’ve won!” she exclaimed, her pulse racing. The couple was already planning how to spend their £182 million ($216 million) fortune—extravagant vacations, a dream home, financial security for life.
But their celebration came to a gut-wrenching halt.
When Rachel called the lottery office to claim their winnings, she was met with news that shattered their dreams. “You have the right numbers,” the operator confirmed, “but the payment for your ticket didn’t go through due to insufficient funds.”
In an instant, their euphoria turned to devastation. The numbers were correct. The win was real. But the ticket had never actually been purchased.
Rachel, a university student studying business, was stunned but managed to stay composed. Liam, however, was crushed. “I had already spent that money in my head,” he admitted, struggling to process the disappointment. Taking to social media, he vented his frustration: “When your girlfriend forgets to play the EuroMillions… and all seven of her usual numbers come up.”
To make matters worse, Camelot, the lottery company, sent them a message wishing them “best of luck in future draws.” Though meant as a kind gesture, it felt like a cruel reminder of what they had lost.
Determined to never let history repeat itself, Rachel has since changed her lottery numbers. Whether this decision will lead to fortune or another painful twist remains to be seen.
Unfortunately, they are not the only couple whose lottery dreams have turned into nightmares.
Michael Cartlidge and Charlotte Cox found themselves locked in a bitter dispute over a £1 million scratch card win. While together, Charlotte had bought the ticket and scratched it to reveal the jackpot. But after their breakup, Michael insisted he deserved half, arguing that he had suggested purchasing the ticket and even attempted to transfer Charlotte the money for it.
“I know she paid for it, but morally, it should be 50-50,” he claimed, even pointing to CCTV footage as proof that he had initiated the purchase.
However, a source close to Charlotte dismissed his argument. “Mike has no right to this money. Charlotte bought the ticket, scratched it, and won. Case closed.”
The National Lottery confirmed that, according to their rules, only the person who physically owns the ticket and signs the back can claim the winnings. Any disputes after that? Those are personal battles.
What should have been a dream-come-true became a cautionary tale—because, as these unlucky winners learned, sometimes the lottery giveth, and sometimes it taketh away.
