Spanish Court Enforces Verbal Agreement in Scratchcard Dispute
A Spanish man who won nearly £900,000 on a scratchcard has found himself embroiled in a legal battle with a colleague after reneging on a verbal promise to share the prize. The case, which unfolded in the municipality of Tui in Galicia, Spain, underscores the binding nature of verbal contracts under Spanish law when sufficient evidence is provided.
The Winning Ticket and Broken Promise
In July 2022, two co-workers, who had a long-standing habit of playing the €10 'Mega Millionario' scratchcard game together, struck it lucky when one of them scooped the €1 million jackpot, equivalent to approximately £869,000. Prior to this windfall, the men had verbally agreed that if either won, they would give the other 10% of the prize, amounting to €100,000 or £87,000 in this instance.
After celebrating their extraordinary luck at the restaurant where they worked and another venue, the winner abruptly changed his mind, citing his daughter's disapproval of the distribution. This led to a breakdown in their agreement and prompted the colleague to seek legal recourse.
Court Proceedings and Ruling
When the dispute reached the courts, the winner denied the existence of any such agreement, pointing to the lack of a written contract. However, the judge ruled against him, emphasizing that Spanish law recognizes verbal contracts as legally binding if proven. The court found compelling evidence, including various testimonies and, most notably, a recorded phone call in which the scratchcard winner reportedly confirmed the pledge.
Additionally, the judge noted that the winner had provided excuses for not honoring his promise, further undermining his case. Consequently, the court ordered him to pay the €100,000 he had vowed, plus interest, to his colleague.
Implications and Broader Context
This ruling highlights the importance of honoring verbal agreements, even in informal settings like workplace friendships. It serves as a cautionary tale for individuals who might assume that lack of written documentation voids such pacts. The case also reflects on the emotional and financial complexities that can arise from sudden wealth, as seen in similar lottery disputes worldwide.
In a related context, reports have emerged of other lottery winners, such as a Belgian EuroMillions syndicate member who valued health over his €5.8 million share, illustrating the diverse impacts of windfalls on personal lives. This Spanish case, however, focuses squarely on the legal obligations that can stem from casual promises, reinforcing that courts may intervene to enforce fairness based on evidence.
