I'm thinking of starting a lottery pool

Reply #25

Mario38 — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 14:33:29 GMT

I checked Facebook and saw a few lottery groups and pools already there. None seemed active though. One of the predefined group categories for Facebook is gambling. So I decided to place my lottery groups on a Facebook group. I will see how that goes.

Thanks for the suggestion and good luck to your group.

Reply #24

WilliamJohns — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 21:19:12 GMT

I was also wondering what kind of attorney you would hire.

Reply #23

WilliamJohns — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 20:30:26 GMT

Hiring an attorney has been mentioned. Obviously you would want an attorney if you hit the jackpot, should you also have an attorney for second prize (I think it's $250,000

Reply #22

Jack-C — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:41:51 GMT

I don't know about other states, but California has a limit on how many checks they will print for different pool members. Check with your state and don't go over that number, because if you do it wrong, you will end up with the total amount going to you and YOU have the tax burden. You don't want that

Reply #21

rdgrnr — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 07:55:32 GMT

I would suggest holding off on Facebook (if it's even allowed or legal as mentioned above) for a few weeks til you're positive you want to continue running the pool. Having run a couple pools myself, I know that things can go smoothly at first and then turn into a PITA real quick.

One thing I would strongly suggest is a signed agreement from all participants clearly spelling out the requirements.

Never cover somebody's tickets if they forget or are unable to get the money to you. People ar... [ More ]

Reply #20

Jack-C — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 07:00:45 GMT

I don't think Facebook would allow it. As I pointed out earlier the people HAVE to hand you the money and you can not send ANYTHING through the U.S. Mail system.

Here is the United States Code:

39 USC 3005

(a) Upon evidence satisfactory to the Postal Service that any person is engaged in conducting a scheme or device for obtaining money or property through the mail by means of false representations, including the mailing of matter which is nonmailable under (!1) 3001(d), (h), (i),... [ More ]

Reply #19

WilliamJohns — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 06:18:07 GMT

Things are moving along with my lottery pool. I was wondering if anyone could suggest a creative way to use Facebook to run my lottery pool. I was thinking of maybe creating an event, or having a fan page or group for the lottery pool and then inviting all my friends and family that are either in it or people I want to join the group.

Reply #18

WilliamJohns — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 03:58:52 GMT

Re: Online lottery pools

I've never thought of online lottery pools. I would be very concerned with security and fraud since more then likely you'd have to make financial transactions online and you're dealing with strangers. It would be very convenient though.

Reply #17

Jack-C — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 06:11:22 GMT

Not a problem. As long as the pools are run legally.

Reply #16

Mario38 — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 05:56:51 GMT

I am familiar with both Canadian and US laws as they pertain to lotteries. I have made large US lottery claims, have filed US tax returns with both losses and wins and have received US lottery tax refunds.

My lottery pools play US and Canadian lotteries. I am fortunate in that I live close to the border between Canada and US.

Good luck.

Reply #15

Jack-C — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 05:46:52 GMT

Canada has different laws than the United States.

Reply #14

Mario38 — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 05:40:29 GMT

I run a couple of lottery pools and never had any problems. We have also won enough money to have to split the money. I recommend doing some Google searches for pools offered online. Check out how they do it and copy their rules and procedures. That is what I did. I got some good ideas from them. The good online pools post their rules online. I just copied them, changed a couple of sections, and used then. Watch out for the scam pools. Then again, the scam pools ever post their rules. I would po... [ More ]

Reply #13

Rowen — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 01:45:41 GMT

Trust me it's not worth it.

Reply #12

Hans — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 23:16:39 GMT

I am looking for info of a legal lotterypool on internet.someone can provide me some info?Thanks

Hans

Reply #11

Jack-C — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 18:51:49 GMT

Absolutely NOT! Nothing having to do with a lottery can be sent through the mail. I don't have the federal regulation at hand, but it has been discussed many times (with the reference to the federal law quoted) here on LP. Todd is also aware of this regulation.

Reply #10

WilliamJohns — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 18:38:59 GMT

Uttt-oh, what does the Post Office have to do with it? I was hoping I could have some of the people who live further away mail checks to me.

Reply #9

Jack-C — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 02:29:16 GMT

Also, you need the people to HAND you the money. Nothing can be done via mail. That would be in violation of postal (Federal) laws. That has been discussed many times here on LP.

Reply #8

Jack-C — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 02:26:11 GMT

I agree with Guru101.

You must have written agreements (not necessarily a contract ). I suggest buying quick picks and making copies for everyone (NOT on the company's copier!!). Have on the paper who is in the pool for that draw. If you let people pick their own numbers, you run into the problem of someone saying it was MY number that won, I should get all of (or most of) the millions of dollars

Reply #7

Guru101 — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 02:07:31 GMT

I highly suggest a written agreement. There also needs to be an agreement among the members of the pool about separate individual purchases, and if you're the one running the pool, I suggest you NEVER buy separate tickets for yourself, at least not for the game in which the pool is for. For example, if you run a lottery pool, and Powerball is really big, say $300M, and you and 4 other people go $2 in for a $10 ticket, while you're at the store, don't buy a separate Powerball ticket soley for you... [ More ]

Reply #6

diluxe1 — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 00:34:53 GMT

I think it would be better to have 10 people in the pool. The bigger the win the more money you will have to split. You just have to have fair people. If someone wins, are they really going to share the profit(be greedy and keep the money for themselves) or give you and the others some of the money. Trust is the most importrant thing...

Reply #5

WilliamJohns — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 19:33:29 GMT

I'm thinking of having 10 - 20 people in my Mega Millions pool. Do you think it would be better to keep it smaller (around 10 people), or the more the merrier

Reply #4

Todd — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 03:25:15 GMT

Reply #3

cheryl59 — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 03:22:30 GMT

I have 3 separate lottery pools on my job with no problems at all (knock on wood!) It is not real easy but we all have a common goal (and bond) we want to Win!!!

I have help from players within the pools, in 2 of my pools I have appointed someone to offically check the numbers with me (one reason is just in case Iam not able to check the numbers, we have a backup, I have one person from each group that is a backup for contacting everybody when we win, this person is also responsible for makin... [ More ]

Reply #2

TheGameGrl — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 02:46:47 GMT

This had been spoken of in the past- SOme guidelines were mentioned to protect the group and the claims. Read up thru the search feature.

I will caution and say- Never spot someone there share, and make it clear you dont pay you dont get to claim winnings. THen set the rules and guidelines clearly. I see no difference in a lottery pool as it ONLY takes one line to hit. Read to many folks winning with a qp on one dollar bets....

Reply #1

sully16 — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 02:41:08 GMT

yes. my brothers and i will chip in for a big one . but when you get co-workers and friends things can go horribly wrong and fast. it can cause hard feelings and people will feel the need to take sides. you don't need that at work. i keep my gambling out of the work place. thats why i come here to chat with you guys and gals. i post predictions and if some one in another state likes my numbers and plays them and wins , well thats great, but if they lose i won't have a nasty note stuck to my lock... [ More ]

I'm thinking of starting a lottery pool

WilliamJohns — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 02:31:54 GMT

I'm thinking of starting a lottery pool with some friends and family members. MegaMillions will be coming to my state (Connecticut) after the end of January. I'm thinking of getting maybe 5 of us together, each put in $20+ and then buying $5 worth of tickets for each drawing for the next 20+ drawings (advance purchase). Each participent can pick their own 5+1 number and we will split the winnings 5 ways at the end of all the drawings unless we hit a really big win in which case we would split th... [ More ]