How to Organize a Lottery Pool

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Organizing a lottery pool is easy, but it's got to be customized based on who's involved, the regularity of play, the rules of the organization executing the lottery, federal and state tax laws, etc.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Setting Up a Lottery Pool

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/ed\/Organize-a-Lottery-Pool-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Organize-a-Lottery-Pool-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/ed\/Organize-a-Lottery-Pool-Step-1.jpg\/aid151274-v4-728px-Organize-a-Lottery-Pool-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Modify and recirculate until you have agreement on these. [1]
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c9\/Organize-a-Lottery-Pool-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Organize-a-Lottery-Pool-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c9\/Organize-a-Lottery-Pool-Step-2.jpg\/aid151274-v4-728px-Organize-a-Lottery-Pool-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Include provisions for adding & deleting members, use names of the people added with a new contract each time a member is added or deleted. [2]
    Advertisement
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/bc\/Organize-a-Lottery-Pool-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Organize-a-Lottery-Pool-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/bc\/Organize-a-Lottery-Pool-Step-3.jpg\/aid151274-v4-728px-Organize-a-Lottery-Pool-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    No one should have a greater share just because they had more cash in their wallet that day.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/96\/Organize-a-Lottery-Pool-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Organize-a-Lottery-Pool-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/96\/Organize-a-Lottery-Pool-Step-4.jpg\/aid151274-v4-728px-Organize-a-Lottery-Pool-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    , group, syndicate)
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/fb\/Organize-a-Lottery-Pool-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Organize-a-Lottery-Pool-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/fb\/Organize-a-Lottery-Pool-Step-5.jpg\/aid151274-v4-728px-Organize-a-Lottery-Pool-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    [3]
  6. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/8e\/Organize-a-Lottery-Pool-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Organize-a-Lottery-Pool-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/8e\/Organize-a-Lottery-Pool-Step-6.jpg\/aid151274-v4-728px-Organize-a-Lottery-Pool-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
  7. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/1f\/Organize-a-Lottery-Pool-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Organize-a-Lottery-Pool-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/1f\/Organize-a-Lottery-Pool-Step-7.jpg\/aid151274-v4-728px-Organize-a-Lottery-Pool-Step-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
  8. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c6\/Organize-a-Lottery-Pool-Step-8.jpg\/v4-460px-Organize-a-Lottery-Pool-Step-8.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c6\/Organize-a-Lottery-Pool-Step-8.jpg\/aid151274-v4-728px-Organize-a-Lottery-Pool-Step-8.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Be explicit about whether this is uniform for all winnings or varies by amount or taxable impact. [4]
  9. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/ed\/Organize-a-Lottery-Pool-Step-9.jpg\/v4-460px-Organize-a-Lottery-Pool-Step-9.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/ed\/Organize-a-Lottery-Pool-Step-9.jpg\/aid151274-v4-728px-Organize-a-Lottery-Pool-Step-9.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Everyone who agrees to participate should sign your rules document. This becomes your contract.
  10. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/bb\/Organize-a-Lottery-Pool-Step-10.jpg\/v4-460px-Organize-a-Lottery-Pool-Step-10.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/bb\/Organize-a-Lottery-Pool-Step-10.jpg\/aid151274-v4-728px-Organize-a-Lottery-Pool-Step-10.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Only scan or photocopy winning tickets. Retain the original, non-winning tickets for a specified length of time for audit purposes. Allow any member to the pool's ticket purchases by seeing the original, non-winning tickets along with the photocopied winning tickets. This will save the pool admin a lot of time and unnecessary photocopying. [5]
  11. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/9d\/Organize-a-Lottery-Pool-Step-11.jpg\/v4-460px-Organize-a-Lottery-Pool-Step-11.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/9d\/Organize-a-Lottery-Pool-Step-11.jpg\/aid151274-v4-728px-Organize-a-Lottery-Pool-Step-11.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If you're planning to claim a jackpot, establish a blind trust or similar vehicle, then claim the winnings in the name of the trust. (This should be stated in the claims section of your rules).
    12. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Keep Audits Easy

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f7\/Apply-for-an-American-Express-Credit-Card-Step-9.jpg\/v4-460px-Apply-for-an-American-Express-Credit-Card-Step-9.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f7\/Apply-for-an-American-Express-Credit-Card-Step-9.jpg\/aid151274-v4-728px-Apply-for-an-American-Express-Credit-Card-Step-9.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Only scan or photocopy winning tickets. Retain the original, non-winning tickets for a specified length of time for audit purposes. Allow any member to the pool's ticket purchases by seeing the original, non-winning tickets along with the photocopied winning tickets. This will save the pool admin a lot of time and unnecessary photocopying.


Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    Can anyone in the group purchase extra tickets for themselves?
    Community Answer
    You should have a pool agreement, even among friends. One of the items in that agreement should specify what tickets are considered in the group and what tickets are personal. Most people make and distribute copies of the tickets to all the members of the pool. Any ticket not included in the distribution is not included in the pool. Make sure those copies cannot change. Large amounts of money can change people. Use one of the free Office Lottery Pool online systems that lock the numbers at a cutoff time.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 3 Helpful 6
  • Question
    Can a person who has not played for a while get in the pool again to try to win the big one?
    Community Answer
    It depends on how you play. The way we play our office lottery pool is by forming a group of trusted players. Those trusted players play when they choose to by buying their own tickets and posting them. (We use a nice automated system, search "Office Lottery Pools" and pick one.) All the trusted players get notified and choose if they want to jump in. Some members only play when the lottery is above $300 million. It's totally up to you how you want to do things.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 2
  • Question
    Can I set up a pool so that each participant gets a percentage of the ticket winnings?
    Don Winston
    Community Answer
    Check out Lottery Jackpot Genie on the Play Store and App Store. The app takes care of a lot of the legal requirements on lottery pools.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 2 Helpful 5
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      • Consider using a custom contract, such as lottery pool agreements found on the web.
        Thanks
        Helpful 26 Not Helpful 6
      • Exclude anyone who can't or won't settle on the rules.
        Thanks
        Helpful 18 Not Helpful 4
      • Offer a provision in your claim rules to provide an accountant, financial planner, lawyer, etc., to group members that are paid from the winnings prior to distribution. Individuals can always contract these services on their own, but you'd be surprised how many people won't know how to handle the money. Consider it a public service clause that you can use yourself.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1
      Show More Tips
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      • Make it clear in the rules that whomever is buying the tickets is NOT to buy their own for the same lottery game. It's OK if they want to play in other lotteries, or when they're not buying for the pool. This avoids a lot of domain issues in the event someone wins big separately from the pool.
        Thanks
        Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
      • Check to make sure lottery pools are legal in your state and within your workplace policies.
        Thanks
        Helpful 1 Not Helpful 2
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Win at Sports Betting
      How to
      Find a Loose Slot Machine at a Casino
      How to
      Play Powerball for Beginners
      How to
      Choose Lottery Numbers
      13 Tricks to Up Your Chances of Winning the Lottery
      Do You Win Money If You Just Get the Powerball Number?
      How to
      Win Big with Scratch Offs: 12 Tricks
      How to
      Pick Powerball Numbers
      How to
      Win Keno
      How to
      Buy a Lottery Ticket
      How to
      Play the UK Lottery
      How to
      Play Mega Millions and Improve Your Odds of Winning
      How to
      Check Powerball
      How to
      Check Mega Millions Numbers
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/robertpagliarini/2013/12/11/5-rules-if-you-play-an-office-lottery-pool/
      2. ↑ https://lotto.bclc.com/group-play.html
      3. ↑ https://www.syracuse.com/lottery/2016/01/powerball_jackpot_lottery_office_pool_rules.html
      4. ↑ https://oddculture.com/how-to-start-a-lottery-pool-and-why-you-should/
      5. ↑ https://www.huffpost.com/entry/office-lottery-rules-5-must-follow_b_4461402

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 227,778 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement