Factory worker Brendan King had spent thousands of dollars on workplace lottery syndicates.
But when his workmates finally hit the $40 million jackpot, the father of five was told he wouldn't receive the life-changing payout he'd been dreaming of.
Mr King, who contributed to syndicates for about four years, says he is owed $2.7 million as one of 15 southwest Sydney factory employees who won a Powerball draw on May 5.
A NSW Supreme Court has heard workers from the Prysmian factory at Liverpool congratulated him the day after the huge win.
But when Mr King went to see syndicate organiser Robert Adams, he was told he wasn't a part of the winning group.
"Mate, I'm part of the syndicate, I paid my $50 whenever you asked for it," the court heard King said.
"It's different people," Adams allegedly replied.
Mr King told the court in Sydney he was distressed but accepted the result until he found out he was the only member of an original 12-person arrangement not to be included in the winning syndicate.
In an affidavit, he says Adams told him "s*** happens" in a meeting days after the win.
"For many, many years I have operated several lottos without Brendan and without people who are in that syndicate," Mr Adams said on Monday.
"I am very sorry that I didn't have the opportunity to ask Brendan to be a part of the winning syndicate."
The court heard Mr Adams did not contact Mr King to ask if he wanted to chip in for an extra $600 worth of Powerball tickets, despite making the effort to text another member he had not seen around work.
Mr King's barrister Lachlan Gyles SC said it was presumed a member was part of the syndicate unless they opted out and that it would hardly be "unfair or unjust" if his client were paid the money.
The court has heard syndicate members say a person had to pay in advance and have a copy of a ticket in order to be included.
Mr Gyles told the court that had not previously been a requirement and that Mr Adams owed Mr King more than $80 when he bought the tickets.
He called workplace lotto syndicates an "enduring part of modern Australian life" that represented a "common dream and hope" between workers.
"Your Honour has an opportunity to right a wrong that has occurred," he said.
The court heard Powerball tickets were purchased on behalf of the original 12-member syndicate.
Mr King told the court he won about $12 off that draw.
The hearing continues.
