to think going public with a lottery win is bonkers?

[WhataPlank]

Just watched a little YT documentary following the lives of lottery winners and I was blown away by how many people reach out to lottery winners to beg money; not just friends and family, ex-colleagues or even ex-friends, but complete strangers with sob stories (both genuine and fake).

Is there some kind of incentive offered by the lottery people to go public? It's obviously in the organiser's interest as its all publicity, but surely there's nothing in it for the winner but absolute misery?
There must be some kind of bonus for announcing it, because why would you want everyone to know!?

I think I’d keep it quiet. Perhaps I’d do the things I’d been putting off because they are boring and expensive (getting the car serviced, going to the dentist).

I don’t think I’d ever tell people I was flying first class on holiday.

Realistically, both my husband and I could say that the other came into money through work or an inheritance. There would be no need to say how much it was.

Everyone who wins over a certain amount is definitely offered financial advice - the firm I work for is on the panel of companies that the national lottery refers people to. They normally get their initial meetings and advice at a discounted rate.

Personally, I would tell everyone I’d been offered a high paying contract to work in the Middle East for a year, and piss off travelling for that year as a cover, then say the amount I earned was enough to pay off the mortgage and buy a new car etc as an explanation. Not that I’ve fantasised about this extensively or anything 🤣

Realistically, both my husband and I could say that the other came into money through work or an inheritance. There would be no need to say how much it was

This is what I’d do- be very vague and say it was an inheritance and not say how much. I’d also say it was tied up in a trust and I couldn’t access it all. I couldn’t give a toss if my neighbours saw me moving, people move all the time! I’ve never ever asked a neighbour how they could afford to move in my life (Or even where they’re moving to!) as I’ve never been super close to neighbours either and their finances are not my business. I also have a tiny family so it would be impossible for anyone to come out the woodwork as all my direct family have passed. For my close friends I’d use the inheritance story (they’re not money obsessed people anyway so wouldn’t hassle me). As for acquaintances I don’t talk about moving or what I’m buying on social media anyway so they’d never know as I don’t post pics of my house. For me it really wouldn’t be hard at all to keep it quiet as I’m very guarded on SM already. I imagine it would be harder if you have a huge family who regularly visit you though

That's genius !! That's what ill do when I win 😂

winners have never been outed by the press ever, it's not interesting enough for them.

Not a chance would I go public.

I also would say absolutely nothing for at least 6 months to anyone, just collect it and sit on it. No changes at all, even continue working.

I would then lie and say I either one a much smaller amount or that I had a share in a syndicate & that I had signed an NDA where all the money was reclaimable by the other members if I leaked it or it was proven that the leak came from me.

For the really big wins, the tabs actively try to track winners down

Nah- this really isnt true. Think about it- we only hear rare stories of massive winners who chose to go public. There have been hundreds and hundreds of very big winners before who remained anonymous and we never hear about them! I know this because I play euro millions fairly regularly and the jackpot frequently goes to say, 100 million one week and then it's down to 14 million the next. Someone must have been winning those amounts but you don't hear weekly about lottery winners so they stay anonymous.

A tabloid isnt going to be interested in a story where someone tells them- guess what?- my neighbour just moved to an expensive house, surely they MUST have won the lottery! If that were true then the tabs would be constantly knocking on the doors of everyone who lives in Knightsbridge or similarly expensive places all day long. I think people forget that there are a LOT of very rich people in the UK - but most people don't live in super expensive areas it feels rare. If you live in Belgravia, Kensington or Mayfair, being mega rich is just "normal" and not out of the ordinary at all.

I think I must live a very boring/antisocial life because I don't think enough people would give a stuff about my finances to gossip/speculate.
Combined with the fact that I've no interest in very flashy stuff (cars, watches, big houses etc) and don't post on SM so the things I would splurge on (holidays and experiences) wouldn't really be seen either - I reckon I could fly under the radar.

If the Universe is listening, I'd love to test the theory!

The press wouldn't be allowed to report the story either. The press know so much stuff about celebrities and so on that they aren't allowed to report. Unless you go public the press cannot do it. I don't know where that myth comes from.

The press wouldn't be allowed to report the story either. The press know so much stuff about celebrities and so on that they aren't allowed to report. Unless you go public the press cannot do it. I don't know where that myth comes from

Yes- exactly. Plus the whole appeal of a public lottery win is interviewing them, them telling everyone what they'll do with the money, what they did to celebrate, what their family think of it, photos of them with a huge cheque and champagne corks flying etc

I cant imagine a more boring or uninspiring story than "we think Mr Smith from Edinburgh has won the lottery but he said "no comment" when we asked him and we cannot confirm it's true either. He has however started shopping at Waitrose though instead of Tescos, we'll keep you informed of any further developments" 😂

They all look the same type of person physically which is what makes me laugh.
Wonder if AI would get it right inputting British Lottery Winner.

Yes the other myth is ''all lottery winners go broke'', considering the vast majority remain anonymous or stay out of the limelight even if they go public/have to go public like in USA then that 'fact' is nonsense.

Even if you google the winners in the UK/USA who were known/went public there is hardly any information about them after the win so who knows what became of them? Ofcourse there are a handful of horror stories we all heard but these are only a tiny minority.

Yes the other myth is ''all lottery winners go broke''

Ofcourse there are a handful of horror stories we all heard but these are only a tiny minority

Exactly. The stories of the no doubt countless number of lottery winners who have invested wisely, live off of the interest, regularly donate to charity, and are enjoying a very nice lifestyle with no drama wouldn’t sell papers.

Yes the other myth is ''all lottery winners go broke''

I hate the way they report that too- it's always with some snidey 'SEE?- look at them all miserable!- AND their marriage broke up" as if they deserve to be miserable or something, typical British press - build them up so you can knock them down later on.

I imagine there must be lots of people who have won the lottery who are happy as Larry but that doesnt make a very interesting story I guess and people would then say they were "bragging" so you really cant win either way

I guess most people just get swept up with it, plus the lottery probably put on subtle pressure giving reasons why it would be better to get it over with.

Realistically with some if the absolutely massive Euro Millions wins now it would be almost impossible to avoid people finding out.

It would almost be worth winning a few million, it might then be easier to transition to a nicer house, new car, etc. etc. without turning your life upside down and turning your back on everything you have ever known (which is a sure fire way to make you crazy l).

There is a difference between people finding out though and broadcasting it at a national level. So when winners say they went public as they didn't want to hide it from their friends I just think well you didn't have to tell the nation and beyond to do that...

In fairness if I heard any of my friends or family won the EuroMillions I'd honestly expect nothing off them especially friends nor would I be asking and I am in no way rich . I'd be like 'well done' but I cannot fathom expecting them to fund my life or throw me any big sums really. It's their money.

The only people I'd expect something from would be my parents if they were still here but that's different and really I'd expect any parents who won a big sum to want to help all their kids....

I've always wondered what the reasoning was behind lottery winners going public. After hearing so many stories about winners receiving endless begging letters,I've always thought why put yourself in that position? Crazy.

Personally if I won I would give to others, its a blessing and I think this is why so many have miserable lives after because they are greedy and don't want to bless others.
I wouldn't help anyone who has wronged me but I would drop cash on the floor in different areas.

I think I would be paranoid about what could happen - I don't know how wealthy people handle the threat of kidnap etc that could come with having enormous wealth

Because wealthy people getting kidnapped for ransom is highly rare in the UK. The bigger threat they have is getting robbed but with the security systems today the risk is pretty low too. When was the last time you heard in the UK of a rich person having a family member kidnapped for money? It doesn't happen.

If you won your millions and lied in a gated mansion/high security house then you are pretty safe here and again nobody is going to kidnap your son after football training and demand 5 million for his release. That's paranoia.

I'd hate to go public because it's my business and I'm a private person. I couldn't think of anything worse than my face all oer the press and social media and the comments about my looks and so on in the comments section. That and I worked in teaching for 8 years so plenty of people out there would know me and god knows what students and parents would be writing...

''I had her for Maths when I was in Clapham Academy, she was a shit teacher...''

When was the last time you heard in the UK of a rich person having a family member kidnapped for money? It doesn't happen

Just because you haven't heard about it does not mean it doesn't happen.

It might just have been kept quiet.

Not a lottery win, but I knew a musician who worked with a very successful female singer who had quite a few hits. in the 90's. The musician said the begging letters were unbelievable, one couple wrote asking for money so they could buy a boat!🙄

Why would it though>? It would be reported and the police would release the details. You sound somewhat paranoid, relax my love.

if I did the lottery … which I never do but just supposing I did… I’d be fine with not telling people. No one else’s business. my friends wouldn’t be begging me for any money, they’re doing ok already.

Not spending a penny however- for 6 months!!!! Nah sod that! I’d have booked myself a few holidays by lunchtime, bunged my sibling a huge wad and sent cash to all the charities who I’d never been able to support, and one I regularly do, but nice and quietly. What a wonderful feeling that would be! I don’t think I’d have the discipline not to spend some of it!

I also think I could pass this outward level of spending off as inheritance/ work bonus etc. I think ppl who don’t do SM already are at a definite advantage here!

Some people like to show off.

Some people are nice but a little naive.

I think unless you’ve been very rich you don’t realise how people around you can be quite demanding. I’ve had a few very rich friends (never asked them a penny), one (v rich by business investments) explained to me how she had a lot of people come up to them and pressure them for money/help. The other had a good but not insane lottery win and wisely kept it very quiet, but invested and upgraded bit by bit.