Advertisement

Bitter Lotto fight over Aussie syndicate's $1.5 million winnings

Tara Meakins
Updated ·2-min read

War has broken out among a Perth lottery syndicate after it hit the jackpot and the organiser allegedly pocketed the $1.5 million win for himself.

Trent Bowden is now being sued by the 10 members he is accused of cutting off, according to court documents seen by the West Australian.

The syndicate leader reportedly used the group’s usual numbers when he bought a ticket to the Saturday Lotto draw for October 29 where a win saw him take out $2,200. It is understood he then used the prize money to reinvest and play the same numbers on a different Oz Lotto draw on November 1.

Trent Bowden.
Trent Bowden is accused of taking the Perth syndicate's winnings and refusing to spilt the prize. Source: Facebook

Luck struck again and he walked away with $2,802.

Hoping for a hat-trick, Mr Bowden, who owns a clay target shooting range, is alleged to have then used the winnings to buy tickets to the Saturday Lotto draw for November 12. A lucky win with numbers 12, 6, 3, 18, 35 and 31 saw him walk away with the $1.5 million prize.

Snubbed syndicate members sue

A writ on behalf of the 10 other syndicate members was lodged in Western Australia’s Supreme Court this week, suing not only the Perth man but Lotterywest.

It claims there was a “mutual assumption” that any prize money won on a ticket purchased by the defendant on behalf of the syndicate “would be shared by the members in the shares,” as reported by the West Australia.

Speaking to Yahoo News Australia, Cally Hannah from Armstrong Legal, who is representing the syndicate members, said the firm is “obviously seeking a resolution that is of satisfaction to my 10 clients.”

Cally Hannah picture. She is representing the Lotto complainants.
Representing the syndicate members, Cally Hannah told Yahoo 'we are obviously seeking a resolution that is of satisfaction to my 10 clients.' Source: Supplied

While Mr Bowden disputes the claims made in the writ. His lawyer, Kathleen McNally, told Yahoo News Australia that her client intends to defend the action.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play.