Page 16 | Small(ish) lottery win - Do I keep it since they didn’t pay?

swimmingforCB · 2023-05-05T19:02:15+00:00

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? 😬

Batalax · 06/05/2023 08:23

user1492757084 · 06/05/2023 07:31

Ask your family if they want out.
Remind them that they are in arears with their payments and set a 24 hour deadline.
Wait to definitely hear back from each one
Record answers and date.
After that time - inform those who won with you (having paid up their share) about the win.
Celebrate. Either way -celebrate!
You lucky ducks.

This seems the best thing to do.

Nanaof1 · 06/05/2023 08:25

NutellaEllaElla · 06/05/2023 07:22

This is an interesting dilemma.

Is there a history of them paying for previous weeks?

I'd be annoyed if I was the only one shelling out for the cost of the tickets and wouldn't expect to share winnings in the same way they don't seem to mind you conceding the losses.

Thank you! They haven't paid up for the losing tickets so they have no claim on the winning ticket.
It has nothing to do with how much you love your family. You already want to give a little to your S/SIL. They didn't pay.
And telling them about a large winning ticket and then asking them, "are you still in the syndicate?" is silly because of course they'd say yes.

When they haven't paid before, did they catch up for the weeks they missed or just start paying in again?

HaroldeVwilliam · 06/05/2023 08:29

Batalax is a dreadful idea!!
The ones who didn't pay will feel utterly tricked and there will be massive fall outs.

I'd be furious if someone did this to me.

I'd feel agreeieved but more towards myself if someone won in syndicate and I hadn't paid.

Fair enough. However to then chase but not say why would feel ire towards that person.

Don't do it op.

Keep absolutely stuchm.

Ring fence a little for future helping out (gifting) some to sil maybe nice gift /treat for Mil at some point but it's not that much and wouid give you incredible peace of mind.

I promise you tricking people and recording dates etc will create lots of angst and anger

Whenharrymetsmelly · 06/05/2023 08:30

Soontobe60 · 06/05/2023 07:48

Legally this is quite a grey area. This is a syndicate even though there may be nothing in writing. By the very fact that there’s nothing in writing to say what happens to a win when no one pays up front, one could argue that you should still pay winnings to all players.
But morally, it’s simple - pay out the winnings to everyone who usually participates.

Agree re morally. People know what the right thing to do is, I bet OP never sent them all a text to say, if we win today, you won't be getting any. All the people on here pulling at straws to say OP should keep it, would argue the opposite if the shoe was on the other foot (for them)

CrunchyCarrot · 06/05/2023 08:33

Honestly OP I think it would be best to tell them and offer them their shares of the prize, regardless of whether they have paid up for the last few weeks. Be generous here. The alternative won't end well.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 06/05/2023 08:33

I'd message

"As no one is paying into the syndicate, the tickets bought on X date were the last ones that came out of syndicate money. I'm no longer running the syndicate as people don't pay on time and it's a hassle"

Theb wait a few weeks and tell them you won.

CatticusFinch · 06/05/2023 08:36

If you've not paid, you're not in it. I always place the bets for me and DM for the Grand National and my mum always ensures she pays me back before the race starts, otherwise she says they aren't her bets.

TheHandbag · 06/05/2023 08:38

I would ask mnet HQ to delete the thread as it's quite identifying especially with your dh not participating in the syndicate for religious reasons. As well as the details about your skint sister and wealthy brother and mum. If one of them is on mnet, you'll be found out pretty quickly.

TheHandbag · 06/05/2023 08:40

If you want to continue running the syndicate then ask them to sign the syndicate form and to set up a monthly direct debit.

ZombieMumEB · 06/05/2023 08:41

GnomeDePlume · 06/05/2023 08:10

@ZombieMumEB how on earth did the manager come to that conclusion!

I ran a work syndicate for a few years. As you did with a signed form etc. At the start it did lead to some interesting conversations with colleagues who assumed we would share a big win with people outside the syndicate.

One colleague was quite shocked when I told him a flat 'no'. I pointed out that if we ever won really big chances are he would never see us again. He joined the syndicate after that!

Well done on having the strength for running one for a few years! Two draws was enough for me! (we only bought tickets in extra large draws)

This manager was a trouble maker in many areas, and was just trying to make more issues for me.

After they made the comment to everyone in their room - I replied that no, only those that paid and signed my sheet would share in the winnings. I then added that if we did win, others were welcome to share their portion with her, but she wouldn't be entitled to a share of the full amount if she refused to pay upfront like everyone else. As one of the marketing guys paid and signed the sheet, she kept trying so hard to convince him not to join.

I was actually planning on purchasing the tickets myself, photocopy etc, then on another day, buy my own tickets, so if mine won, it was clear it was a separate purchase.

In the end, to cover myself, I had 2 coworkers buy the work tickets and they photocopied/scanned the tickets - that way I wasn't solely responsible if we had a dispute from this manager. No one in their department liked them (there was a very high staff turnover) and as soon as she would leave their room, they'd always have a good whinge about her.

MenopauseSucks · 06/05/2023 08:47

Firstly I don't understand how a syndicate works?
Secondly I've read the full thread but am a tad confused - apologies if I've cross-posted.
Is your syndicate a single online account/a joint pot of money that you buy the tickets from?
Is it that your family members haven't paid for a couple of weeks but there was some remaining money in the 'pot' & the tickets were bought with this money.
Or is there not any money remaining in the 'pot' & you bought the tickets out of your pocket?

If the tickets were bought out of the joint pot then it should be shared regardless if they'd not paid for a couple of weeks.
If you bought the tickets out of your own money then it's yours!

CarbsAreNotMyFriend · 06/05/2023 08:48

I think legally you'd probably win your case to keep the money. Morally.....I personally would split it.

BUT I'd make it clear going forward the rules for payment upfront, otherwise their tickets won't be purchased.

SwordToFlamethrower · 06/05/2023 09:05

If they find out, they may never speak to you ever again. Either tell them and split it or don't tell them and take it to your grave.

Itsagnomelife · 06/05/2023 09:19

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.

Thanks you @MenoRageisReal

DailyMailJournalist · 06/05/2023 09:31

Just wanted to know if the OP is English ?

Also how are house prices in your area ?

Okthenhun · 06/05/2023 10:05

MenopauseSucks · 06/05/2023 08:47

Firstly I don't understand how a syndicate works?
Secondly I've read the full thread but am a tad confused - apologies if I've cross-posted.
Is your syndicate a single online account/a joint pot of money that you buy the tickets from?
Is it that your family members haven't paid for a couple of weeks but there was some remaining money in the 'pot' & the tickets were bought with this money.
Or is there not any money remaining in the 'pot' & you bought the tickets out of your pocket?

If the tickets were bought out of the joint pot then it should be shared regardless if they'd not paid for a couple of weeks.
If you bought the tickets out of your own money then it's yours!

This is what im not clear on

GnomeDePlume · 06/05/2023 10:06

@MenopauseSucks there are different ways of setting up a syndicate. The one I ran was flexible so that I would send out a message to colleagues to say that a syndicate would be running. Pay me and sign the form and they would be in. No pay, no play.

I would then total up the names (including my own) and that was how many lucky dip tickets I would buy. No special numbers, no one was allowed to enter more than once. If the winnings were greater than the price of a lottery ticket per head then they would be shared out. Otherwise I would buy more tickets for the next draw until the pot was exhausted and that syndicate ended.

Other syndicates may have different rules.

Having continued to operate the syndicate without getting payment I think OP is on a sticky wicket and would be better dividing up the win.

treespouse · 06/05/2023 10:28

I'd send a message "you guys are going to regret not playing the syndicate this week! I won! You snooze you lose 🤪"

Original poster

swimmingforCB · 06/05/2023 10:29

I’ve decided to keep it. Thanks for all the advice :)

Sorry I might not have answered all the questions, but to clarify - The day I won, I actually purchased 5 lines. I usually buy 4 for the syndicate (4 entries, including mine)

I got 5 because I’m use to getting 4 and decided why not, on a 5th line. So one line more than usual.

How it works is, whoever’s turn it is this week to buy the ticket, just buys it. So for example it would be BIL/SIL on Friday, and they’d buy the ticket. If they win they share it out etc. People have been missing their turns to though

I will quietly give my skint SIL some form of help when it transpires she needs it. She talks a lot about money so it won’t be me prodding her etc. I’ll say the win is from Premium Bonds too… I’ve had premium bonds for years. Never won at all though but I only have £50 in there 😂

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Original poster

swimmingforCB · 06/05/2023 10:32

BanjoKnickers · 05/05/2023 23:32

This seems to be a strange approach. Either the family is entitled to share the money fully or they're not. Hiding the win from them, but then helping them out a in dribs and drabs seems to be admitting to yourself that you've fleeced them, and also trying to play the bountiful philanthrope by giving them (a fraction of) their own money!

Show quote history

But it really isn’t ’their own money’, sadly

I always play the same UK Lotto numbers and have for years. If one week my direct debit declined and I wasn’t in the draw, but my numbers came up, NL aren’t going to hand me over because I usually play

Obviously different emotional dilemmas involved because it’s people I know well and like

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Original poster

swimmingforCB · 06/05/2023 10:33

whynotwhatknot · 05/05/2023 23:45

did you perosnally pay for it op or out of the pot

Personally

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Original poster

swimmingforCB · 06/05/2023 10:35

Oneandonly22 · 05/05/2023 23:57

What I find bizarre as I’ve been part of a couple of syndicates in the past is how they didn’t know the numbers. I know it was lucky dips but when we’ve purchased these in past we’ve upload pictures of numbers on group chats etc. So was it just this week no numbers were shared or is it something that’s been done every week/draw. So if this was a new thing not sharing the numbers beforehand maybe they don’t think the syndicate was still going ahead as they didn’t pay and had no clue of the numbers.

We shared the numbers at the start but to be perfectly honest, stopped a while ago

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Original poster

swimmingforCB · 06/05/2023 10:36

BatildaB · 05/05/2023 22:52

When they got behind on paying in before did they then catch up? If so then the understanding is clearly that the syndicate is running still. Did you accept arrears from them before? Or did you say oh no, I just bought a losing ticket for myself as you hadn’t paid by the date. If you took any arrears before then you’ve been acting on different principles than the ones you’re espousing now.

No, never paid arrears before. If someone doesn’t do their share one week, then that’s that. Nobody plays as the person who’s turn it is buys the tickets. However yes I did just buy the tickets anyway previously because it was my turn. But then the next week that family didn’t buy any tickets so nobody played if you see what I mean

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Original poster

swimmingforCB · 06/05/2023 10:38

To clarify also, if I did win the jackpot of millions., I’d have shared it with all family, including my own who don’t even play the lottery

But it isn’t a huge amount and will just improve my life comfortably, allow for my DC to get a special adaptation I’m thinking of etc. None of which could be flagged up as I’m waiting for the council to do it anyway

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whynotwhatknot · 06/05/2023 10:48

id say its your then you paid out for it