Milwaukee Brewers 50-50 Raffle Prize Denied Appeals Court Rules Against Kenosha Couple Who Held the Winning Ticket

Prepared by the AllAboutLawyer.com Editorial Team, reviewed for factual accuracy against Wisconsin Court of Appeals records, Milwaukee County Circuit Court filings, and reporting from WBAY, FOX11, and CBS News. Last Updated: May 20, 2026.

The Wisconsin Court of Appeals affirmed a circuit court decision siding with the Brewers Community Foundation in a dispute over a 50-50 raffle prize from a July 7, 2023, Milwaukee Brewers game — leaving a Kenosha couple without the approximately $13,000 jackpot they believed they had legitimately won.

Annette Flynn and her husband Matthew Flynn filed a small claims lawsuit after the foundation denied them the winnings. Annette held the winning ticket, but the foundation determined she did not reach the claim table before the deadline — the end of the top of the seventh inning.

The Flynns say they are now considering a further appeal to the Wisconsin Supreme Court and maintain that Annette timely presented the winning ticket under the rules in effect that evening.

Quick Facts: Flynn v. Brewers Community Foundation

Field	Detail
Game Date	July 7, 2023
Plaintiff(s)	Annette Flynn and Matthew Flynn (Kenosha, Wisconsin)
Defendant	Brewers Community Foundation, Inc.
Prize at Issue	Approximately $13,000 (50-50 raffle jackpot)
Amount Sued For	$10,000 (small claims limit at time of filing)
Trial Court	Milwaukee County Circuit Court
Trial Court Judge	Judge Carolina M. Stark
Trial Court Ruling	Summary judgment for Brewers Community Foundation
Appeals Court	Wisconsin Court of Appeals
Appeals Court Ruling	Affirmed — Foundation’s denial upheld (May 19, 2026)
Current Stage	Flynns considering Wisconsin Supreme Court appeal
Last Updated	May 20, 2026

What Is the Milwaukee Brewers 50-50 Raffle Lawsuit About? Flynn v. Brewers Community Foundation, Milwaukee County Circuit Court

Annette Flynn purchased 10 raffle tickets while tailgating before the July 7, 2023, Brewers game at American Family Field. It is undisputed that she held the winning ticket that was initially selected. The problem was timing — she was seated in a spot where the scoreboard was behind her and says she neither saw the winning number displayed nor heard it announced.

The raffle’s official rules at the time required the holder of the winning ticket to claim the prize at an identified 50-50 table on the loge level concourse by the end of the top of the seventh inning — meaning the third out had to be recorded before she arrived. When Annette eventually reached the table, the Foundation determined she had not presented the winning ticket in time, drew a new winning number, and denied her the prize.

The Flynns brought this consumer fraud lawsuit arguing the Foundation’s determination was wrong. They sued in Milwaukee County Circuit Court, seeking $10,000 — the small claims ceiling at the time. The Brewers reportedly made a settlement offer described as “a couple grand and some tickets,” which the Flynns rejected. “We’re not doing this for the money,” Annette said. “We want the truth — and accountability.”

If you follow cases where fans or consumers dispute how organizations run contests and promotions, our analysis of the Jan. 6 Capitol riot excessive force class action shows how courts evaluate disputes where official rules and personal accounts of events conflict.

Are You Part of the Flynn v. Brewers Community Foundation Lawsuit?

This is not a class action. Only the Flynns are plaintiffs — you cannot join this case. But the ruling matters directly to you if you are in one of these situations:

• You play the 50-50 raffle at Milwaukee Brewers games — this ruling confirms the Foundation has full discretion to determine winners under its official rules
• You purchased a 50-50 raffle ticket at American Family Field before the Brewers changed their rules — the old rules required in-game claiming by the seventh inning; current rules give fans until the park closes and 30 days after that
• You believe you held a winning raffle ticket and were denied — this ruling means your dispute would face a very high legal bar to overcome

You are NOT directly affected if you play 50-50 raffles at other MLB stadiums or venues. Rules vary by organization and state.

Since the 2023 incident, the Brewers have quietly changed their 50-50 raffle policy. Winners now have 30 days after the game to claim their prize — a significant expansion from the old seventh-inning deadline.

What Are the Flynns Seeking in This Lawsuit?

The Flynns sought $10,000 in the small claims court — the legal limit for that court at the time of filing — even though the actual jackpot was approximately $13,000. They argued there were genuine issues of material fact regarding the timing of Annette Flynn’s visit to the claim table, and that the video evidence provided by the Foundation was inconsistent with their own observations and recollections.

They also pushed for native video files, metadata, hash values, and an independent forensic review of timestamps and continuity footage — arguing the footage did not conclusively support the Foundation’s version of events.

The Flynns say the legal challenge is ultimately about “whether ordinary Brewers fans can have confidence that the process is transparent and fair.”

No compensation is available for the public through this lawsuit. No claim form exists. This is private civil litigation between one family and a nonprofit foundation.

What Did the Courts Actually Decide in the Brewers Raffle Case?

Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Carolina M. Stark granted summary judgment to the Foundation, concluding that the official rules vested the Foundation with sole discretion to determine the winner and that the Foundation had reasonably exercised that discretion.

The Wisconsin Court of Appeals agreed. The court wrote that “under these rules, there is no genuine issue of material fact regarding whether the Flynns won the contest. They did not, because the Foundation concluded that Annette was late in presenting the winning ticket. The rules vest the Foundation with exclusive discretion to make that determination.”

The appeals court acknowledged the Flynns’ disputes about the video evidence but concluded those disputes did not change the legal outcome — because even if the video evidence had errors, the Foundation’s discretionary authority under the raffle rules meant its determination stood regardless. The Flynns also argued the Foundation’s discretionary authority conflicted with Wisconsin raffle law, but the court ruled they had forfeited that argument by failing to raise it properly before the circuit court.

What Should You Do If You Were Denied a Brewers Raffle Prize?

Most fans who play the 50-50 raffle are not part of any lawsuit and do not need to take legal action. Here is what makes sense depending on your situation:

• If you were denied a raffle prize at American Family Field in 2023 or earlier, consult a consumer rights lawyer — you would face the same legal standard the Flynns encountered, but individual facts matter
• If you play the current 50-50 raffle, save your ticket and know your rights — the current rules at mlb.com/brewers give you until the park closes and 30 days after the game to claim, per the official rules posted on the Brewers’ website
• If you believe you have a dispute with a contest or promotion, document everything immediately — timestamps, video, witness accounts, and any communications with staff
• Monitor this case at the Wisconsin Supreme Court and Court of Appeals access site (wscca.wicourts.gov) if the Flynns file a petition for Supreme Court review

A free legal consultation with a class action lawsuit attorney or consumer rights lawyer can help you evaluate whether a promotional dispute in your specific situation has legal merit.

Milwaukee Brewers 50-50 Raffle Lawsuit Timeline

Milestone	Date
Winning ticket selected, Annette Flynn denied at table	July 7, 2023
Brewers Community Foundation formally denies prize	July 2023
Flynns file suit in Milwaukee County Circuit Court	March 12, 2025
Court orders Brewers to produce videos and documents	April 7, 2025
Brewers change raffle rules — 30-day claim window added	By 2025 (exact date TBD — not disclosed by team)
Circuit Court grants summary judgment for Foundation	2025 (exact date TBD — not published in available records)
Wisconsin Court of Appeals affirms circuit court ruling	May 19, 2026
Potential Wisconsin Supreme Court petition	TBD — Flynns stated they are considering it

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a class action lawsuit against the Milwaukee Brewers 50-50 raffle?

 No. The Flynn case is a private civil lawsuit brought by one couple — Annette and Matthew Flynn of Kenosha — not a class action. No class of consumers has been certified, and there is no mechanism for other fans to join this case.

Do I need to do anything right now to preserve my raffle rights? 

If you play the current 50-50 raffle at American Family Field, the Brewers have already changed their rules. You now have until the park closes after the game — plus 30 days after the game date — to claim a prize. Read the current official rules at mlb.com/brewers before playing.

What law governs the Brewers 50-50 raffle in Wisconsin?

 The raffle is conducted under Chapter 563 of the Wisconsin Statutes, which governs charitable raffles, and is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws. The Brewers Community Foundation holds Raffle License Number R0023023B-92065.

Can I file my own lawsuit if I was denied a raffle prize? 

Potentially, but the Flynn ruling sets a difficult standard. Wisconsin courts have now confirmed that when raffle rules give an organization sole discretion to determine winners, a court will not second-guess that determination even if you dispute the facts — unless you can show the organization acted outside the bounds of that discretion entirely. Consult a consumer rights lawyer to evaluate your specific situation.

When will the Flynns know if the Supreme Court will take their case?

 TBD — the Flynns have not yet filed a petition for review with the Wisconsin Supreme Court as of May 20, 2026. If they do file, the Supreme Court typically takes several months to decide whether to accept a case.

Did the Brewers profit from denying the Flynn prize? 

The 50-50 raffle awards one-half of ticket revenue to the winner and the other half to the Brewers Community Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. When no winner is paid, the Foundation retains its standard share — the unclaimed prize amount goes to the Foundation under the contest rules.

What changed in the Brewers raffle rules after this incident? 

Under the current rules posted on the Brewers’ website, the deadline to claim a prize is no longer during the game. Winners can now claim at the 50-50 table until the park officially closes and have an additional 30 days after the game by contacting the raffle hotline at 414-902-4334.

Could the Flynns still win on appeal to the Wisconsin Supreme Court?

 It is possible but difficult. The Supreme Court would need to find a significant legal question — most likely the Flynns’ argument that the Foundation’s discretionary authority conflicts with Chapter 563 of Wisconsin Statutes. The Court of Appeals ruled that argument was forfeited, but the Supreme Court could still choose to consider it. Outcomes depend entirely on whether the court agrees to hear the case and how it interprets Wisconsin raffle law.

Sources & References

• WBAY — Court upholds Brewers Foundation decision in raffle dispute, May 19, 2026: wbay.com
• FOX11 Online — Appeals court backs Brewers’ denial of 50-50 raffle win for late claim of $13,000 prize: fox11online.com
• Brewers Community Foundation 50-50 Official Raffle Rules — MLB.com: mlb.com/brewers/community/foundation-programs/50-50-raffle
• Wisconsin Court System — Court of Appeals Opinions: wicourts.gov
• Wisconsin Supreme Court and Court of Appeals Case Access: wscca.wicourts.gov

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Legal outcomes depend on specific facts and applicable law. Consult a qualified attorney for advice about your particular situation.