It is the practice in innumerable workplaces for the employees to contribute to a money pool each week to buy a syndicated ticket in one of the Lotto draws. Usually one of the group acts as the cashier, makes the collection and has the responsibility of buying the ticket. That can be a perilous task - unless a strict routine is followed.
Fourteen members of a syndicate in Geelong became suspicious when the man who transacted their weekly Lotto flutter suddenly terminated his employment, began to accumulate assets and live a rich lifestyle. They were mystified when Tattersals delivered a bottle of champagne to him at their workplace immediately after the drawing of the $ 16.7 million Powerball Jackpot draw. Now this syndicate is applying to the Supreme court to have Tattersalls reveal the names of the three winners whose lucky numbers delivered them a fortune from this draw.
There is the possibility of a defence if the ticket buyer legitimately obtained a ticket on behalf of the syndicate - and then decided to privately buy another chance in his own name. Those tasked with handling the placement of syndicate ticket purchases would do well to follow guidelines to ensure that the transaction is above reproach.
Always make the purchase in sufficient time that the syndicate ticket can be put on display on a notice board well in advance of the draw. Last minute purchases - where a personal ticket is also involved - will blur the identification of which ticket belongs to either holder.
It would be a very good idea to separate the purchases by both a matter of different days - and from separate sources. Usually, the money collected for a syndicate ticket is collected on pay day, hence the person tasked with buying that ticket should consciously make his own ticket purchase on a different phase of the week.
Selecting the numbers in Lotto type draws offers options. Many back the same numbers week after week while others go for a random pick selected by the computer. Those tasked with buying the tickets would be wise to encourage the set numbers option because the syndicate would be in a position to monitor each draw in the sure knowledge of which numbers would need to be drawn for their success. These numbers would therefore be on prominent permanent display - and known to all.
Where the syndicate members opt for random pick numbers or a mix of favoured numbers and random pick the fact that both are on separate tickets reintroduces the security problem. It would be wise to ensure that the application ensures running identification of each Lotto ticket and that any personal ticket purchased has a wide removal from that numbers sequence.
Unfortunately, the rules of Lotteries insist that each ticket be in the name of a person and not a syndicate. When a dispute arises over the ownership of a winning ticket it can not only destroy relationships and friendships, it can wind up in the courts and cost both parties a fortune in legal fees.
The wise will take the trouble to clearly separate syndicate purchases from those made on a personal basis - and adhere to a timetable where the ticket numbers are clearly tabled and in syndicate hands prior to the draw. That delivers a far better outcome than the fate awaiting both sides of the argument in Geelong !
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