Winning the lottery is something most people can only dream about—a moment of sheer luck that has the power to change lives forever. But for one couple, what should have been the happiest moment of their lives quickly turned into a bitter dispute over who gets to keep the fortune.
Instead of celebrating their windfall, UK couple Michael Cartlidge and Charlotte Cox found themselves at the center of an ugly financial and legal battle after their relationship abruptly ended. The former couple, who had been dating for only three months, won an astonishing £1 million ($1.3 million) from a lottery scratch card. However, just weeks after their big win, their romance fizzled out—and with it came a fierce argument over who was entitled to the prize money.
A Winning Ticket That Sparked a War
According to reports, 37-year-old Cox was the one who physically purchased the scratch card, using her own money, and was also the one who scratched it off, revealing the jackpot. As far as she’s concerned, that makes her the rightful owner of the winnings. However, 39-year-old Cartlidge insists that the ticket was his idea in the first place. He claims that he had attempted to reimburse Cox for the ticket, which, in his eyes, makes him an equal partner in the windfall.
The dispute over the money became even more complex when the original lottery operator, Camelot, reviewed CCTV footage of the moment the ticket was bought. Cartlidge asserts that Camelot had initially ruled in favor of a 50-50 split, supporting his claim that both of them were responsible for the purchase. However, the situation took a dramatic turn when a new lottery operator, Allwyn, took over. The new company ruled entirely in Cox’s favor, declaring that since she paid for the ticket and scratched it off, she is the sole owner of the winnings.
Legal Battle Looming as Boyfriend Fights for His Share
Feeling betrayed and shocked by the ruling, Cartlidge has expressed his frustration, saying that while he acknowledges Cox’s role in buying the ticket, he believes that morally, the money should have been split between them.
“I’m absolutely stunned,” he told reporters. “I can be honest and say that we wouldn’t have had that winning ticket without Charlotte, but at the same time, she wouldn’t have bought it without me either. Yes, it was her bank account that covered the cost, but shouldn’t fairness play a role here? It should be a 50-50 split.”
He further explained his perspective, claiming that he had been in the shop with Cox at the time of the purchase and had attempted to send her the money through his banking app. “I logged into my Halifax account because I didn’t have my bank card with me at the time. I started the transfer and even showed her my phone screen as proof. The shop’s CCTV footage captured the moment, and Camelot reviewed it.”
Despite his insistence that the ticket was a joint effort, Cox has remained firm in her stance. From her perspective, there is no debate—she paid for the ticket, scratched it, and therefore, the winnings are hers alone.
A Million-Dollar Prize That’s Causing Nothing but Misery
While Cartlidge argues that he should have been entitled to a portion of the money, Cox and those close to her strongly disagree. A source from Cox’s side has spoken out, stating that the lottery win has caused nothing but problems in her life.
“This million-pound win has been more trouble than it’s worth,” the source shared. “It has completely overshadowed the last few months for Charlotte and her family. Instead of celebrating, she’s had to deal with this constant battle over money that isn’t even up for debate.
“Michael has zero right to this money. He is not entitled to a single cent. Charlotte was the one who bought the ticket. She was the one who scratched it. That should be the end of the discussion.”
Lottery Officials Confirm That Only One Person Can Claim the Prize
A spokesperson for the National Lottery has since clarified the official rules regarding lottery winnings, emphasizing that only one individual can legally claim ownership of a winning scratch card.
“The rules for Scratchcard Games are explicitly clear—only a single person can be named as the rightful owner of a ticket. The person whose name and address is written on the back of the winning scratch card is the only one who can legally claim the prize,” the spokesperson explained.
“This means that when a prize is awarded, it can only be paid to one person. This policy is always communicated clearly to claimants at the time of processing their winnings.
“In cases where multiple individuals agree to split a prize—such as in lottery syndicates—we strongly recommend drawing up a formal legal agreement between all parties before claiming the prize. However, if no such agreement exists, any disputes over the winnings must be settled privately between the individuals involved.”
A Cautionary Tale for Couples and Lottery Players Alike
The ongoing legal battle between Cox and Cartlidge serves as a stark reminder of the complications that can arise when lottery winnings are not clearly agreed upon in advance. Without any formal agreement, lottery operators have no legal obligation to divide the prize money, no matter what was discussed between the individuals beforehand.
While many might assume that a romantic relationship would automatically imply shared financial responsibilities, this case proves otherwise. For those who regularly purchase lottery tickets with partners, friends, or coworkers, this situation highlights the importance of having a written understanding—or at the very least, ensuring that any financial contributions are well-documented.
For now, Cox is moving forward with her winnings, while Cartlidge is still weighing his legal options. Whether or not he takes the case to court remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—their million-dollar win has brought far more drama than celebration.