This man won $133,000 on the pokies, but wasn't allowed to take it home.

Watching a movie. Having a picnic. Going to a party. There are many experiences in life made better with friends.

However, as one US man found out, playing pokies is not one of them.

Florida gambler Jan Flato lost out on a $133,000 (US$100,000) gaming machine jackpot because he let a friend press the button for him, 7 News Boston reports.

The 66-year-old was feeding cash into the $50-a-spin Double Top Dollar machine at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Fort Lauderdale in January this year.

Deciding it might be lucky for his friend Marina Navarro to push the button for him, he let her do the honours.

And wouldn’t you know it, it was lucky. Cue sounds and lights from the machine and shock and amazement from the two friends.

Flato assumed he’d be taking the cash home — after all, he was the one who financed the bet. He assumed wrong.

According to Seminole spokesman Gary Bitner, "The person who pushes a slot machine button or pulls the arm is the person who wins the jackpot." In more bad luck for Flato, that statement has been backed up by gambling law experts and no lawyers were willing to take on the case.

After being awarded the cash, Navarro walked out of the casino, Flato told 7 News Boston.

He said when his former friend texted him "Still hate me?" a few weeks later, he responded, "How could you do that to me?"

However, Navarro told newspaper Miami Herald the events weren't exactly as Flato described.

The 35-year-old said she put $400 in the machine and had also offered to give Flato a portion of the win - until he allegedly sent her threatening texts.

Yep, Navarro's touch was of luck alright. Just not the kind Flato had hoped for.