Slow Ticket Printer Foils Would-Be Lottery Winner of a $27 Million Jackpot

QUEBEC—January 30, 2015—A Canadian man who purchased two lottery tickets missed the $27 million jackpot by seven seconds, The Week reported. What caused the delay? Joel Ifergan claims a ticket printer was seven seconds too late in churning out his second ticket, which had the winning numbers. He holds that since he purchased the ticket before the deadline, he is entitled to the winnings.

Ifergan bought the tickets in 2008 and later sued Quebec's lottery, but his case was rejected by provincial courts. Canada's Supreme Court has said it will not hear his appeal.

"I'm really disappointed in the decision, and it's not because it's just about the money," Ifergan said. "Had those tickets been bought anywhere else in Canada, I would have been a millionaire seven years ago."

In addition to missing out on $27 million, Ifergan also reportedly spent $100,000 in legal costs on the case.