• News
  • Film and TV
  • Music
  • Tech
  • Features
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Weird
  • Community
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
Lottery winner’s huge jackpot tragically tore his family apart

Home> News> Money

Updated 11:08 14 Jan 2024 GMTPublished 11:09 14 Jan 2024 GMT

Lottery winner’s huge jackpot tragically tore his family apart

Things turned sour between the family

Niamh Shackleton

Niamh Shackleton

It's not unheard of for money related issued to come between families, and this lottery winner experienced just that.

In March 2018, William John Bampton from Queensland, Australia, won an impressive $986,000 (AUD) jackpot.

He went on to gift his daughter $300,000 of his lottery winnings, but their relationship went on to be affected after Bampton, now 92, asked for the money back.

As per a Brisbane District Court ruling this month, Bampton put down a deposit on a four-bedroom home shortly after winning the lottery.

Advert

He paid an initial a $50,000 deposit on the property, before going on to pay the remaining $505,03 to purchase it fully in a co-ownership with his son, Larry Bampton.

In the months that followed, Bampton also gave his daughter, Suzanne Elaine Vourlides, a large $300,000 donation.

But Bampton went on to allege that he was coerced into giving the money to his daughter, with him feeling like he had 'no choice' but to give it to Vourlides after the pair ended up in an argument.

Willam Bampton alleged that he was pressured into giving his daughter money.
Facebook

Advert

But Vourlides insisted that her father willingly donated the money to her.

This caused a huge rift in the family, with Bampton going on to become estranged from his children.

A huge legal dispute between Bampton and his children then followed, with a judge going on to rule in favor of Vourlides.

It was noted that, despite his age, Bampton had not been diagnosed with dementia at the time of the hearing.

Advert

"Although Mr. Bampton was of advanced age and had medical conditions, the medical evidence was to the effect that he had full capacity and well understood and was able to manage his financial affairs," Judge Suzanne Sheridan ruled last month.

Bampton won a huge $986,000 AUD jackpot in 2018.
Getty Stock Image/CHUYN

"I am unable to accept that Mrs. Vourlides took unconscientious advantage of Mr. Bampton. I am prepared to accept that the gift was fair, just, and reasonable in the circumstances."

Vourlides went on to say that the lottery win 'destroyed people’s lives'.

Advert

"No one’s a winner out of this, it just destroys everyone in the family," Larry Bampton added to the Courier Mail.

"The worst thing that ever happened was that he won the million dollars. One of the tragic lotto stories, I think."

Despite the judge's 59-page ruling, Bampton expressed his intentions of appealing the court's decision, alleging that he has no winnings left.

Featured Image Credit: Facebook/Getty Stock Image

Topics: News, Life, Money, Australia, Lottery

Niamh Shackleton
Niamh Shackleton

Niamh Shackleton is an experienced journalist for UNILAD, specialising in topics including mental health and showbiz, as well as anything Henry Cavill and cat related. She has previously worked for OK! Magazine, Caters and Kennedy.

X

@niamhshackleton

Advert

Advert

Advert

  • Woman accidentally wins $2,000,000 jackpot after gas station makes huge lottery mistake
  • Woman who won $1,300,000 jackpot lost all winnings after keeping lottery win secret from husband
  • Man who won lottery 14 times explains simple math he used to beat the system
  • Mega Millions player wins $1,200,000,000 jackpot breaking a three-month no winning streak

Choose your content:

11 hours ago
12 hours ago
  • 11 hours ago

    'Fridge cigarette' trend explained as Gen Z ditches traditional smoke breaks

    The new trend is taking TikTok by storm

    News
  • 11 hours ago

    Doctor reveals what you should never do in bed as he explains best way to beat insomnia

    Dr. Matthew Walker has offered some tips to curb insomnia and scrub up on your bedtime habits

    News
  • 11 hours ago

    FBI issues urgent warning to 150,000,000 US iPhone users to delete this text as soon as it appears

    Attacks on iPhones and Androids have surged more than 700 percent this month

    News
  • 12 hours ago

    Surprising meaning behind people who keep waking up at the same time every night

    It's surprisingly common

    News