UK Couple Splits After Winning a Windfall Lottery, Leaving One Without the Money

By Jessica Whitehouse,
Editor at online-gambling.com

Jessica Whitehouse Editor at online-gambling.com

Jessica Whitehouse is a content expert and editor from Santa Monica, California. At online-gambling.com, she focuses on roulette, blackjack reviews, lottery, and casino payments. Whitehouse is also our leading go-to expert in online gambling in South Africa. In addition, she provides the photo materials for most articles on the site.

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Last updated: August 27, 2022

The UK couple Laura Hoyle and Kirk Stevens were the lucky winners who won the UK National Lottery’s “Set For Life” draw in March 2021, which paid out US$11,791 (£10,000) monthly. The prize has a 30-year life span and a net value of US$4.24 million (£3.6 million).

The fortunate couple believed they had it all. They talked about starting a business and also considered getting married as they discussed their future plans. Stevens was left stranded when Hoyle changed her mind a year later.

Stevens and Hoyle were a normal, happy couple who had been living together for a few years. Hoyle had sold her home so she could make a financial contribution to the house where they lived. However, Stevens explained that he wouldn’t have felt comfortable asking his girlfriend to contribute since she was unemployed.

They both decided she would pay for a weekly lottery purchase of US$29.47 (£25). With the arrangement in place, they occasionally talked about what would happen and what they would do if they won. Stevens and Hoyle appeared to be on the same for a year and a half.

Lucky in lottery and love, they were prepared for the next phase of their lives. When they accepted the lottery winnings, their names were on the official check, and pictures of the delighted couple basking in the money were captured.

Hoyle Decides to Take a Different Direction

Laura and Hoyle had been planning how to spend their newly gotten money. Hoyle bought a sports car for herself, and they also started a business together. The plan was for them to become professional ghost hunters.

But at this time, it seemed as though Hoyle might have already started the process of taking her life in a different direction. Despite their agreement to split the wealth, she started giving him just US$1,179 (£1,000) per month. Hoyle eventually concluded that she needed to change her course. Stevens said that Hoyle had promised that they would live the life of Riley, but now she had left.

Stevens Admits Split Didn’t Come to Him as a Complete Shock

Stevens acknowledged that the split wasn’t entirely a shock to him. After winning the lottery, he kept working partly to have a “sense of purpose” and because he “never truly felt secure enough with Hoyle”. Based on the outcome, that decision turned out to be wise.

When they got the money, the couple put down a deposit on a US$589,250 (£500,000) house. Hoyle, who was the titleholder, took the house for herself when it was time to move in, leaving Stevens stranded. Stevens no longer even receives the monthly allowance that Hoyle used to give him. Unfortunately, he may also lack any legal standing.

The UK’s lottery operator, Camelot, offered its opinion on the subject. They stated that no matter how many people contribute to the purchase of a lottery, only one person can win a lottery prize. Therefore, as Camelot says, Hoyle is the legitimate millionaire because she purchased the winning ticket.

If you want to try your luck by playing the lottery, then maybe consider playing the lottery online in the UK. Maybe you too can crack the jackpot and become a millionaire overnight like Laura.