Lottery Scratchcards Abroad
Discussion
I was thinking of bringing some lottery scratchcards to some of my extended family in Africa as a prezzie next week. If they win, I'd then cash the scratchcards in when I got back and wire the money over. But then I realised there might be complications if they win the biggest prizes. I vaguely recall you can't legally play the lottery abroad. What's the legality if they win big? And it's mostly kids I would be buying them for, does that make a difference?
https://www.national-lottery.co.uk/games/gamestore...
I cannot be bothered to read it all but maybe you can . . .
I cannot be bothered to read it all but maybe you can . . .
Somewhatfoolish said:
I was thinking of bringing some lottery scratchcards to some of my extended family in Africa as a prezzie next week. If they win, I'd then cash the scratchcards in when I got back and wire the money over. But then I realised there might be complications if they win the biggest prizes. I vaguely recall you can't legally play the lottery abroad. What's the legality if they win big? And it's mostly kids I would be buying them for, does that make a difference?
Where do they live, Fantasy Island ?Somewhatfoolish said:
I was thinking of bringing some lottery scratchcards to some of my extended family in Africa as a prezzie next week. If they win, I'd then cash the scratchcards in when I got back and wire the money over. But then I realised there might be complications if they win the biggest prizes. I vaguely recall you can't legally play the lottery abroad. What's the legality if they win big? And it's mostly kids I would be buying them for, does that make a difference?
And you have just said you are going to claim when you return........... Username checks out!
KungFuPanda said:
Surely the most simple resolution would be to come back, claim the prize yourself as you bought the tickets anyway and then gift the prize money to whoever won .
He'd probably waste the money buying potatoes....https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
lancslad58 said:
KungFuPanda said:
Surely the most simple resolution would be to come back, claim the prize yourself as you bought the tickets anyway and then gift the prize money to whoever won .
He'd probably waste the money buying potatoes....https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
There's some odd folk on this forum who like to try to prove people wrong to their own satisfaction, when really they haven't a clue...
Somewhatfoolish said:
lancslad58 said:
KungFuPanda said:
Surely the most simple resolution would be to come back, claim the prize yourself as you bought the tickets anyway and then gift the prize money to whoever won .
He'd probably waste the money buying potatoes....https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
There's some odd folk on this forum who like to try to prove people wrong to their own satisfaction, when really they haven't a clue...
Edited by lancslad58 on Friday 4th July 23:05
Digger said:
https://www.national-lottery.co.uk/games/gamestore...
I cannot be bothered to read it all but maybe you can . . .
Thanks. This basically allows me to answer my own question. My interpretation is:I cannot be bothered to read it all but maybe you can . . .
1. It's absolutely fine for me to buy it for under 18s (I never thought otherwise but someone raised it) - the important thing is that under 18s can't buy them
2. It's absolutely fine for me to gift it to family in other countries and for them to play it there
3. Pragmatically any small prizes as I said I'll just sort out and wire cash over
4. BUT - if they win a big jackpot they have to collect it in person, in the UK, within 180 days
5. The above is potentially hugely problematic. Some of my in laws are mud hut poor. They'll never get a UK visitor visa (and anyone saying "but they will be eligible for £xxxxxxx doesn't have experience of applying for UK visas).
6. How I would solve this is probably best not to say on the internet
7. I appreciate in practice this is highly unlikely to matter as if I spend £100 on scratchcards the EV will be £50ish and the median return probably more like £20.
Also completely unrelated but just interesting:
1. If you find a lost scratchcard which has winnings, you can claim them subject to a certain procedure to try to find the owner
Edited by Somewhatfoolish on Saturday 5th July 01:30
Somewhatfoolish said:
I was thinking of bringing some lottery scratchcards to some of my extended family in Africa as a prezzie next week. If they win, I'd then cash the scratchcards in when I got back and wire the money over. But then I realised there might be complications if they win the biggest prizes. I vaguely recall you can't legally play the lottery abroad. What's the legality if they win big? And it's mostly kids I would be buying them for, does that make a difference?
Greeting to you SIr.I am Prince Somewhat-Foolish from Nigeria.
My family has won big prizes on a scratch card from your esteemed country but need assistance in having the money wired to them.
Jesus has guided me to you Sir, and I humbly ask for your help. In return we will share the winnings.
Please etc etc etc…
Back in the mid 2000’s a couple of sisters from Hong Kong took their grown up children to Macao for a weekend of R&R, including a little casino time.
While playing the slot machines, one of the sisters won big, in the region of a million (about £100,000), the casino refused to payout as a minor was playing.
The case went to court, where the casino produced CCTV evidence of the mother inserting the money, but the soon to be 18 daughter, ‘yanking the starting handle’.
It appears the casino weren’t too bothered about age requirements, until payout time. The casino won the case.
OP, you’re not going to pay off the national debt of an African nation, use some imagination and buy them a decent gift.
While playing the slot machines, one of the sisters won big, in the region of a million (about £100,000), the casino refused to payout as a minor was playing.
The case went to court, where the casino produced CCTV evidence of the mother inserting the money, but the soon to be 18 daughter, ‘yanking the starting handle’.
It appears the casino weren’t too bothered about age requirements, until payout time. The casino won the case.
OP, you’re not going to pay off the national debt of an African nation, use some imagination and buy them a decent gift.
Somewhatfoolish said:
Thanks. This basically allows me to answer my own question. My interpretation is:
1. It's absolutely fine for me to buy it for under 18s (I never thought otherwise but someone raised it) - the important thing is that under 18s can't buy them
2. It's absolutely fine for me to gift it to family in other countries and for them to play it there
3. Pragmatically any small prizes as I said I'll just sort out and wire cash over
4. BUT - if they win a big jackpot they have to collect it in person, in the UK, within 180 days
5. The above is potentially hugely problematic. Some of my in laws are mud hut poor. They'll never get a UK visitor visa (and anyone saying "but they will be eligible for £xxxxxxx doesn't have experience of applying for UK visas).
6. How I would solve this is probably best not to say on the internet
7. I appreciate in practice this is highly unlikely to matter as if I spend £100 on scratchcards the EV will be £50ish and the median return probably more like £20.
Also completely unrelated but just interesting:
1. If you find a lost scratchcard which has winnings, you can claim them subject to a certain procedure to try to find the owner
Point 4 onwards is exactly the same answer as point 3. Just claim it and send it to them. All prizes are tax free, you can give away as much money as you want, sure there’s an IHT liability for a while, but just don’t die, or if you are going to get someone else to claim and gift it. All this is fantastical nonsense anyway as they’re not going to win. If they’re that poor why not help them in a pragmatic way, rather than pissing money away on a lottery? 1. It's absolutely fine for me to buy it for under 18s (I never thought otherwise but someone raised it) - the important thing is that under 18s can't buy them
2. It's absolutely fine for me to gift it to family in other countries and for them to play it there
3. Pragmatically any small prizes as I said I'll just sort out and wire cash over
4. BUT - if they win a big jackpot they have to collect it in person, in the UK, within 180 days
5. The above is potentially hugely problematic. Some of my in laws are mud hut poor. They'll never get a UK visitor visa (and anyone saying "but they will be eligible for £xxxxxxx doesn't have experience of applying for UK visas).
6. How I would solve this is probably best not to say on the internet
7. I appreciate in practice this is highly unlikely to matter as if I spend £100 on scratchcards the EV will be £50ish and the median return probably more like £20.
Also completely unrelated but just interesting:
1. If you find a lost scratchcard which has winnings, you can claim them subject to a certain procedure to try to find the owner
Edited by Somewhatfoolish on Saturday 5th July 01:30
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