From what I understand of how Chests Work. They automatically do the "Lot" system and randomly decide who gets the item. Instead of having it be a "Lot or Pass" system up front. Once its in the persons Loot Bag though they can pass it if they do not want it.

So technically if this had been a Lot/Pass issue he would have won the lot and validly wont the item. The only problem with this is when you have an issue of groups who want to only say "Only Gladiators can lot Shields" when they are operating, Because a non-gladiator can win without input from the players. Its still up to that non-gladiator to pass the item off to someone else though.