The ongoing dispute over a $6-million lottery prize has taken another step forward. 

Last month, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation asked to be removed from the equation in the legal battle between Maurice Thibeault and Denise Robertson, both of whom have staked a claim to the remaining half of the September 2017 prize.

Thibeault, who bought the winning Lotto 6/49 ticket, believes he should have been able to claim the entire prize, but Robertson, his former girlfriend, maintains she has a right to half of the winnings since the two had a history of buying lotto tickets together and sharing any prize money.

Thibeault was given a cheque for $3-million back in January, and the remaining $3-million was being held by the OLG.

However, a Windsor judge has now ruled that the agency should be removed from the dispute and the money held in trust by the court until the matter is settled.