Syndicates Scoop Euromillions
Last Updated: Wednesday 7th August 2013, 15:56
The Euromillions draw of 28 September was one to remember for many reasons. First, the jackpot stood at a whopping £88 million. Second, the jackpot was guaranteed to be paid out even if no player won the top prize, because the fund was going to be rolled down to the highest prize tier that had one or more winners. And last, but not least, that’s exactly what happened – nobody won the jackpot and the whole £88 million was shared by fourteen second-tier prize winners.
Six of the fourteen winning tickets – which were each worth £6,989,367 – were held by UK players. Interestingly, at least three of these six tickets belonged to syndicates, which illustrates just how profitable it can be to play lottery games as a member of an organised group.
The first syndicate to go public consisted of six members of a Cardiff Family. The "members" of this familial syndicate were between the ages of 43 and 71, and each one enjoyed a share of the win worth £1,164,894. Speaking for the group, Carl Prance described the moment the family discovered the win: "As each number came out correctly we all grew quieter and quieter. But when we realised we had all the right numbers we went bananas." The family are now planning to spend some of their winnings. All of the members so far have decided that they each want a luxury caravan, with a television in every room and a bar as well!
Another winning syndicate barely fits the definition of the word, because it has just two members – a retired oilfield construction worker by the name of Neville Fisher and his mother, who live in Chesterfield. "This win has come right out of the blue," Neville said. "I was at home on Saturday afternoon and thought I should check my ticket. I got a print out of the winning numbers from Barlborough Post Office that very morning. When I realised I had won I was shocked and delighted. I still can’t believe the size of the win.” Neville currently drives a Renault, but he is now planning to get a brand new Jaguar as well as but a new house in his area.
Last, but by no means least, a syndicate of 32 workers at a truck firm in Southampton are celebrating their win. Each member will take home £218,426, and the shopping lists include new cars, settling mortgages, home renovations and holidays.
The success of syndicates in the £88 million Euromillions draw on 28 September shows that playing as a group can be extremely profitable. It also shows that, when a jackpot payout is guaranteed and a roll-down feature is in place to pay the prize fund out no matter what happens, you don’t necessarily need to qualify for the jackpot in order to win a life-changing sum.
