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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:
Blueey · 05/05/2023 20:55

Expo23 · 05/05/2023 20:40

I agree with this. It is lucky dips, they didn't pay in so effectively no syndicate. If it was group numbers and they had not paid in it would make it different. To me, it was you buying tickets for yourself as the syndicate wasn't on that week. Has anyone given money for tomorrow?

Show quote history

I agree with this OP. You basically just bought yourself some tickets and won. But it's hard because I'm sure you want to help your sis out and then it becomes awkward with everyone else, somehow, in a way it wouldn't have with no syndicate.

Snugglemonkey · 05/05/2023 20:55

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.

I think this is wise.

Sleeplessnights2 · 05/05/2023 20:55

Honestly, I couldn’t keep it myself. I’d worry about karma or something biting me on my arse.

Was it the case that you got several tickets reflecting the amount of players in the syndicate or something? Or did you all pay a small amount to one ticket? (I doubt the latter…) Sorry if you’ve already answered this.

Sleeplessnights2 · 05/05/2023 20:57

PS this is why I don’t appreciate lottery tickets in birthday cards! I think people who gift this are just buying extra tickets for themselves (and possibly take photos of the lucky dip numbers 😁)! 😂

GeraltsBathtub · 05/05/2023 20:58

If the money for the ticket came directly from you, keep it. If the money came out of the lottery account which has any previous winnings pooled in it to reinvest, share it.

LiliLil · 05/05/2023 20:59

Keep the money, you paid for the ticket.

And ask for this thread to be removed x

GatoradeMeBitch · 05/05/2023 20:59

I’d worry about karma or something biting me on my arse.

What karma though? She's been the one out buying tickets. All the others had to do was pay her on time. If they didn't pay, they weren't syndicate tickets. They were hers. It's a fair win.

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!

WGACA · 05/05/2023 20:59

Congratulations! What do you think the others would do in your shoes?

Londonlady1423 · 05/05/2023 21:02

I am really shocked by everyone's responses and doubt they would actually do this if they were in your situation.
Family is so much more important than money which will be gone in a few years. Would you really risk losing your relationship with your family for 20k?
You would not have won if you had not been doing the syndicate. They've paid for 6 months and missed a few weeks and you want to keep it all for yourself, can't you see this is wrong?
Share the money but ask in the future for a direct debit or equivalent to be set up.

Kate0902900908 · 05/05/2023 21:02

No pay no play.
You paid you won.
Keep the money.

Sleeplessnights2 · 05/05/2023 21:02

GatoradeMeBitch · 05/05/2023 20:59

I’d worry about karma or something biting me on my arse.

What karma though? She's been the one out buying tickets. All the others had to do was pay her on time. If they didn't pay, they weren't syndicate tickets. They were hers. It's a fair win.

This is why I said “karma or something”. I couldn’t pinpoint exactly what it is but I dunno - it just wouldn’t sit right with me but I’m clearly too soft looking at the replies. 😂 I think agree with a PP who said that while legally it’s hers, what about the moral decision.

Isthisexpected · 05/05/2023 21:04

In six months of a weekly syndicate they've forgotten to pay three times. I think I'd share it to be honest. But then I would never do a syndicate with family because they'd be terrible at paying up!

CelerEtAudax · 05/05/2023 21:05

Keep it. It's yours. No pay, no play is the rule.

Shhhquirrel · 05/05/2023 21:05

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!

Oh give over 🙄

Oneandonly22 · 05/05/2023 21:06

I would share, that’s based on I know if it were my family and I missed a week or two paying they would still split.

Sleeplessnights2 · 05/05/2023 21:07

Londonlady1423 · 05/05/2023 21:02

I am really shocked by everyone's responses and doubt they would actually do this if they were in your situation.
Family is so much more important than money which will be gone in a few years. Would you really risk losing your relationship with your family for 20k?
You would not have won if you had not been doing the syndicate. They've paid for 6 months and missed a few weeks and you want to keep it all for yourself, can't you see this is wrong?
Share the money but ask in the future for a direct debit or equivalent to be set up.

Yeah, I couldn’t not tell them. But I’d bloody well be stopping the syndicate!

inadarkdarkhouseinadarkdarkstreet · 05/05/2023 21:07

I'm really torn OP, if the numbers were chosen by the group rather than lucky dip I'd share without a second thought. Although nobody had paid in for a fortnight, the syndicate has been well established for 6 months and I would particularly be thinking of the family member who's skint. It's possible she may not want to accept later -what she would think to be a cash gift- out of pride. I would have to share, I think.

BreadInCaptivity · 05/05/2023 21:10

Personally I'm of the perspective that if they didn't pay they didn't play, thus morally I think you are free to keep the winnings.

However, I think you'd be naive to think your family will see it that way.

When it comes to money people generally adopt a very "grasping" mindset and logic/fairness flys out of the window (and don't assume that people who have more money are any more relaxed about "losing out" than those who have a genuine need).

So I think you either share it, or you need to keep it a secret and not tell your family about it ever (including inadvertently by flashing the cash) and carry on with the syndicate as normal (though in a few months if people still don't pay you can suggest stopping as people obviously aren't that interested).

So fundamentally are you in a position to spend this money in a stealthy fashion (such as paying off some/all or your mortgage)?

I think you'd also have to accept you wouldn't be able to throw some money your sisters way.

Your absolute worse case here is trying to hide your win and being found out at a later date because your family will be angry not only about the money but trying to cover it up.

Do not try and get away with it by saying something like stopping the syndicate and you winning in a few months. It's a massive red flag.

Ultimately unless you are very sure you can keep this under wraps you are risking a spectacular family row.

Moveoverdarlin · 05/05/2023 21:10

Keep it. But never tell another soul.

Floralnomad · 05/05/2023 21:11

I’d share , it will eventually come out and ruin the family relationships . If your husband didn’t know so it was only your secret I might be tempted but there is already 1 too many people who know .

justmyluck1234 · 05/05/2023 21:13

Just wanted to hop on and say congratulations with your win! How amazing!!

I'm not sure what I would do to be honest... it would depend who it was in my family and if I think they would share if the boot was on the other foot...

Do whatever you thinks best

fantasyhomesbythesea · 05/05/2023 21:13

It was a lucky dip, you bought the ticket and you should keep the winnings. I would and don't mention it to anyone. If any of them ask say you didn't enter the last 2 weeks as no one paid and you'd assumed they decided to knock it on the head.

Also get this thread removed pronto.

CrystalCoco · 05/05/2023 21:14

I'd feel too guilty to just keep it.

I'd go to them for the backdated monies owed plus next week's - tell them if they don't pay then you're abandoning the syndicate.

If they pay up all of their dues then share the winnings, if they don't pay, it's yours to keep.

TeaAndTwoSugars · 05/05/2023 21:15

Keep it it's yours they didn't pay and you did the lucky dip so effectively it's the same as you randomly playing the lottery.
Don't tell anyone though.

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