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Original poster

Small(ish) lottery win - Do I keep it since they didn’t pay?

449 replies

swimmingforCB · 05/05/2023 20:02

We’ve had a family syndicate going for 6 months or so now. Few £10 wins etc but nothing big.

For the past 2 weeks, nobody has bothered paying in. They kept saying they’d do it next week, and then next week came and they said they’d do it that week. But everyone forgot again!

I won on Tuesday. Nothing OTT but a sizeable sum

If I keep it to myself, it’ll change my life. If I share it between the 4 of us, it’ll pay for a fancy holiday and that’s it.

What do I do? 😬

OP posts:
WilsonMilson · 06/05/2023 00:19

Tell absolutely no one. Ever. No pay, no play, you’re entitled to the money but it will cause family problems if you tell.

Congratulations, how exciting for you!

MenoRageisReal · 06/05/2023 00:21

@Itsagnomelife go back to 20.37, @Bobbliest asks if it's the Euromillions £19k and change and OP replies yes.

CinnamonJellyBeans · 06/05/2023 00:22

Also, if your family do not actually check on whether the tickets are winners or not, they clearly trust you (and your husband) not to cheat them. It was be disappointing if you could not fulfil the basic expectation to keep their money on a technicality.

caringcarer · 06/05/2023 00:24

Lizzt2007 · 05/05/2023 20:25

Ok so none of them have paid for the last two weeks, so personally I'd say something about everyone paying what they owe otherwise as far as your concerned syndicate ended when they last paid. Then if they pay up share it, if they don't, don't. You'll know then whether it was forgetfulness or just not bothered.

Yes I think this is the best idea.

caringcarer · 06/05/2023 00:26

casingchars · 05/05/2023 20:35

OP I reckon this will get into the DM, I'd get the thread pulled if I were you.

Yes, absolutely this. I'm sure someone at the DM reads through threads for anything salacious or controversial. Get it taken down before it's spotted.

Exaspa · 06/05/2023 00:26

And this is why in previous workplaces we all signed a syndicate form and renewed it periodically....not that we ever won, in four years, beyond 7.50 one week. We did however keep the same numbers. It's your choice to make, this one.

If you don't tell them, you'll need to make sure you never let it slip. If you do tell them and others who have paid their dues find out the others didn't be prepared for a bit of annoyance....tough call either way really.

Exaspa · 06/05/2023 00:28

Also agree with the Daily Heil comment above, though their remaining three human reporters and the overseas news agencies will almost certainly be occupied with bunting and quiche for the next day or so...

craftybeee · 06/05/2023 00:29

When you say family who are you referring to? Because if it's in laws then keep it...

Hairyfairy01 · 06/05/2023 00:32

Did only you pay (or play) that week? If so keep 100% of the money. If you and SIL paid (played) that week the winnings should be spilt 50:50. If you, SIL and MIL all paid (played) that week then the money gets spilt 3 ways (presuming equal amounts of money spent on tickets). It sounds though like only you paid (played) that week. In which case the money is 100% yours. I'm sure the others will be kicking themselves but that's life x

Tirrrrred · 06/05/2023 00:32

Are your husband and his mum and sister the same religion?

azlazee1 · 06/05/2023 00:33

The winnings are yours. I'm sure the usual gang will be kicking themselves for not participating, but that was their choice. Congratulations and enjoy!

SemperIdem · 06/05/2023 00:33

If they didn’t pay, they didn’t win.

Enjoy the winnings

Semm · 06/05/2023 00:37

swimmingforCB · 05/05/2023 20:37

Yes :)

I’d keep it and wouldn’t tell them.

Just say as they didn’t pay in those weeks, you didn’t buy any tickets!

Crumpleton · 06/05/2023 00:46

My DH plays the lottery, both draws every week same numbers right from when it first started, online by direct debt.
But I'm pretty sure if he forgot the payment one week and his numbers came up the lottery people wouldn't pay out to him on loyalty alone.

Mumof4alsoabonus · 06/05/2023 00:51

No you shouldn’t keep it, it’s wrong. If you hadn’t won would you still expect their payment from this week? If they had paid yours this week because you hadn’t got round to it, would you still expect a share? I bet you would. It’s not like they haven’t been paying. You are just being greedy and taking advantage of the situation. It’s terrible the amount of people who agree with you too.
You will have no luck with this money if you do this. Bad karma

WuTangGran · 06/05/2023 01:37

It’s yours. The others chose not to pay.

Grumpafrump · 06/05/2023 01:43

I’d not say anything and would wait to see if they pay up. If they do pay up un-prompted in the next few weeks (ie a genuine oversight), then give them their share. If they never end up paying you, then you know the money is yours.

Friendofdennis · 06/05/2023 01:57

I think the money is yours. But if you want to share it why didn’t you keep 50% and share the rest equally between them

Jemandthehologramsunite · 06/05/2023 02:30

Simianwalk · 06/05/2023 00:15

I would share it. Otherwise it will feel like dirty money.

This. I guess the fact you'd rip off your own family says alot about your integrity. And obviously you don't believe in karma either

Okthenhun · 06/05/2023 02:35

Jesus there are some dishonest people around.

@allrightclucky hit the nail on the head.

antipodestal · 06/05/2023 02:41

Their bad luck OP, don't share.

Nanaof1 · 06/05/2023 02:42

DisforDarkChocolate · 05/05/2023 20:05

No pay no payout.

If they find out they will never forgive you. Will they find out?

Personally, I would just not tell anyone. If it does come out, the fact is, they did not pay for two weeks. That's on them, not you.
They might be miffed but really? It's like, if you go to bingo every week with a friend, and you split the winnings of whomever won, then the other person doesn't show up for two weeks, and you win, you don't go back and give them money.
If I was a family member, I'd be angry at myself for not paying in those weeks, but would totally know it's on me. You snooze, you lose.

Nanaof1 · 06/05/2023 02:53

Truestorypeeps · 05/05/2023 20:59

If you believe you would have continued to ask them for the money and they would have paid (in the event the tickets hadn't won) then yes, you should do the right thing and split the money.
They say money is the root of all evil and I can see the greed here! Sorry!

I doubt very much that they would have paid for the weeks they missed. They would just assume they can go back to chipping in and starting again.
I bet they would pay for the weeks they missed if they thought they'd get paid.

They didn't pay and the OP did pay and played. It's her winnings.

ZeldaWillTellYourFortune · 06/05/2023 03:09

Keep it, of course.

ZeldaWillTellYourFortune · 06/05/2023 03:10

GrannyAchingsShepherdsHut · 05/05/2023 20:06

No. Do not share. If you could buy the ticket after it wins everyone would do that - it's just not how it works!

Keep the money. Say nothing.

Exactly this.

They don't get to retroactively buy the winning ticket.