After reportedly cashing a million-dollar lottery ticket that was meant to be split three ways, a 70-year-old Toronto man has been charged with theft.

Alex Parucha was accused, according to the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), after a fraud and theft investigation first revealed that he was the only claimant for a $1 million Lotto Max Free Play ticket on July 2, 2025.

The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) subsequently paid Parucha.  After an OLG Forensic Investigation Unit assessment, it turns out that a group play arrangement may have contributed to the victory.

Charges for Theft and Fraud

The investigation was then forwarded to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario's (AGCO) OPP Investigation and Enforcement Bureau (IEB), which is in charge of carrying out criminal, provincial, and regulatory investigations to guarantee integrity and public safety within AGCO-regulated industries.

In September, OPP IEB officers came to the conclusion that the ticket was actually a part of a group plan with assistance from OLG.  Three people, not only Parucha, should have received a portion of the prize.

After being taken into custody, Parucha was accused of theft exceeding $5,000, fraud exceeding $5,000, and possession of property acquired through illegal means.

January court appearance

Parucha was set to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Toronto on January 8, 2026, following his release from custody.

 According to an OPP representative, OLG has a strong procedure with numerous levels of examination and transparency in the prize claim process.

“As this case is before the courts, we are unable to provide further details at this time,” he said.

When there is proof that someone intentionally misrepresented or hid the existence of a group agreement and claimed wins exclusively for themselves, criminal charges may result, an OPP representative told Casino.org.

OPP and OLG Research

This could include a well-established group agreement in which it is demonstrated that several people contributed to the ticket purchase with the understanding that any winnings would be split, or deliberate exclusion or deception in which the accused took steps to deny other group members their fair share.

 According to the spokesman, it may also involve financial gain by deception in cases where the accused obtained money for which they were not legally entitled, which is considered theft or fraud under the Criminal Code.