Money Moral Dilemma: Should I give some of my lottery winnings to the person who gave me the ticket?

MSE_Kelvin · 22 July at 2:13PM

This week's MoneySaver who wants advice asks...

A relative always puts a lottery ticket in family and friends' birthday cards. In my most recent card, I won a decent sum of money on the ticket - should I keep it, or tell them about it and offer to deal them in on the winnings?

Unfortunately the MSE team can't answer Money Moral Dilemma questions as contributions are emailed in or suggested in person. They are intended to be a point of debate and discussed at face value. Remember that behind each dilemma there is a real person so, as the forum rules say, please keep it kind and keep it clean.

If you haven’t already, join the forum to reply.

Got a Money Moral Dilemma of your own? Suggest an MMD.

View past Money Moral Dilemmas.

Marvel1 · 22 July at 2:17PM

I wouud keep it, it's the risk the gifter takes.

DullGreyGuy · 22 July at 2:23PM

It's a present so it's yours. Maybe give them some form of thank you in return?

A relative always gives lottery tickets, a someone won a 5 figure sum and did offer to share it back with the relative which they refused.

Brie · 22 July at 2:23PM

Do they need the money?

If it's a rich grandmother then just tell her and thank her and give her a nice bouquet and chocolates etc.

If it's a poor gran that puts a "dream" in as part of your gift then offer something more substantial. Be careful of giving too much that would affect any benefits so maybe offer them a holiday or book them a huge online shop somewhere? If you won a couple million offer to pay her utility payment etc DDs for the next few years.

singhini · 22 July at 3:03PM

Keep it and keep your mouth shut (you will cause more problems for yourself).
Buy them a lottery ticket for the Xmas present if you want to.

ButterCheese · 22 July at 3:11PM

It depends on how well you know them. If it was one of my Grandmas for example, they'd be thrilled that I won and not expect anything other than a thank you. But if it was the other Gran, they would keep bringing it up for ever and make me feel guilty.

Only you know. If in doubt I would probably not say anything. They gave a gift knowing that the dream probably won't come true so would think no more about it. However if you tell them and offer some sort of gift or financial return, they might then think that they are owed more. Or at the very least, keep bringing it up to make it sound like they've done you a favour and you owe them something else back in kind.

CapeTown · 22 July at 7:23PM

No it was a gift. Pretty sure we had the same "dilemma" a couple of years ago

Maat · 22 July at 8:09PM

As someone who's given lottery cards to loved ones as part of their gifts, I strongly suspect your relative wouldn't expect or even wish you to give them part of your winnings. The ticket is a gift. Once it's handed over it's yours absolutely. Do let them know you've won, I'm sure they'll be delighted.

Ed264 · 22 July at 8:33PM

Keep it. If the relative put a £20 note in the birthday card, you wouldn't share it with them, would you?

marylou2121 · 22 July at 8:35PM

This is the reason I wouldn't give lottery tickets, and even more so wouldn't give premium bonds to children who have siblings! small chance, but a win is big trouble. Have done stuff where bought tickets for four or five people where anything under £100 is kept, more is shared,

Groom · 22 July at 8:49PM

Really only you can answer this as you are the one who knows your relative's circumstances. If you know they are struggling but still like to give you a present, then it would be nice to give them some of the money. If I gave some one a ticket I wouldn't expect them to share winnings. In the same way if I give them chocolates, I don't expect them to open them and give me some! Nice if they do, but not expected.