Why do lottery winners go public?

[Maria B]

When Colin and Christine Weir scooped a whopping £161 million in the EuroMillions draw last week they were unsure about whether to share their astonishing good news. Letting the world know that they were now nearly as rich as the Beckhams would surely come with its own price tag.

But the husband and wife from Largs in Ayreshire, decided it would be too difficult to keep their burgeoning riches from friends and family. Christine, a retired psychiatric nurse, said: “We would have had to have constructed lies for our nearest and dearest. We don’t want to live like that.”

By Emily Payne | Yahoo! News – 20 hours ago

[Arthur Little]

WHY do lottery winners go public? ... that's the "million dollar" question!

[joebloggs]

WHY do lottery winners go public? ... that's the "million dollar" question!

i think people might realise when you move from a semi d to a mansion , quit your job, have a top of the range car and always on holidays

[Maria B]

i think people might realise when you move from a semi d to a mansion , quit your job, have a top of the range car and always on holidays

joebloggs. If I have that amount of money, I will pack up my things and live in the Philippines & visits england for a holiday

[Arthur Little]

joebloggs. If I have that amount of money, I will pack up my things and live in the Philippines & visits england for a holiday

And if we had it, we'd probably do likewise ... we would continue to live in the UK during our [so-called] "summer" months ... and spend the British winter in the Philippines or somewhere similar.

[Maria B]

And if we had it, we'd do much the same ... we would continue to live in the UK during our [so-called] "summer" months ... and spend the British winter in the Philippines or somewhere similar.

oh yesss. why not coconut (pinoy joke) I cannot even enjoy my flip flops this summer. Typical British weather. I guess the weather here is a woman. Very moody

[Arthur Little]

i think people might realise when you move from a semi d to a mansion , quit your job, have a top of the range car and always on holidays

... that's what I meant by "unexplained lifestyle changes" mentioned in #6 above.

[Maria B]

just wondering why lotto winners have their name & photos in papers & in news....
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/why-do-lott...o-public-.html

[ozzmantel]

just wondering why lotto winners have their name & photos in papers & in news....
http://www.twitter.com/wimdu

I think that it must be part of the deal. Maybe in the terms and conditions. Plus they are so delirious that they would probably agree to any thing...

[Maria B]

must be ozzmantel...but this must be stressful especially if u have children. U always have to keep an eye on them to make sure nobody will take them for ransom

[Arthur Little]

must be ozzmantel...but this must be stressful especially if u have children. U always have to keep an eye on them to make sure nobody will take them for ransom

, Maria ... but thankfully, this ain't the Phils or the US.

[Maria B]

, Maria ... but thankfully, this ain't the Phils or the US.

oh yeah talking too much to my Filipino friends I forgot where on earth I am now. thanks for poking me arthur little

[Arthur Little]

thanks for poking me arthur little

My pleasure ... ANYTIME!

[Arthur Little]

From what I understand ... it's because, if winners choose to go public, they can seek the Lottery Organisers' protection against the inevitable "begging letters" they receive in the wake of their scoop. God knows what kind of refuge that affords ... but it seems to be some form of "insurance".

Whereas ... should they decide to remain "annonymous", then they're on their own - and take their chances - against the strong possibilties of the news being leaked as a result of sudden, unexplained changes in lifestyle or whatever.

[Maria B]

@Arthur Little... must be hard to be an instant millionaire I will understand this all if me, myself wins the lottery & I'm going to share to all Filipino UK members the rules (kidding) I don't even bet

[Arthur Little]

I don't even bet

... nor do I, Maria.

[Maria B]

... nor do I, Maria.

[worthingmale]

crazy to go public if you win the lottery

[Maria B]

crazy to go public if you win the lottery

that's what i thought & the public recognize your face from the papers/ news

[scott&ligaya]

Not sure that I could resist the temptation to say nothing for a month or so whilst really trying to find out who my friends were.

[Maria B]

scott&ligaya...especially myself, it's hard for me not telling the loved ones...but we can tell who our friends are especially when we are broke.

[scott&ligaya]

I think it would be cool to keep it under wraps for while.. and then secretly deposit some funds in peoples accounts who have helped you along the years.

[Arthur Little]

... secretly deposit some funds in peoples accounts who have helped you along the years.

Now there's an ... !

[Terpe]

In 2005 I was working for the civil service. I was in a team of 25 people.
One member of that team had a lottery win of just over £320,000
Not one member even had a cream cake.
After 12 months everyone was so fed with hearing about the money, the investments, the purchases, the holidays etc etc that the Manager was forced to move the person out of the team. he he he.

Best of all, that person would always say the money will never change them

[Arthur Little]

In 2005 I was working for the civil service. I was in a team of 25 people.
One member of that team had a lottery win of just over £320,000
Not one member even had a cream cake.

... sounds like a REAL

After 12 months everyone was so fed with hearing about the money, the investments, the purchases, the holidays etc etc that the Manager was forced to move the person out of the team. he he he.

... serves the tight-fisted right for being kuripot!

[bornatbirth]

for a win of £320,000 you wont get a penny from me either....

[Maria B]

for a win of £320,000 you wont get a penny from me either....

[Ako Si Jamie]

I'd rather win a paltry million and nobody hears about it, than £161m and everyone knows.

[stevewool]

i would tell know one and after a while just the true friends would know, the family well they would have there share toi

[Maria B]

i would tell know one and after a while just the true friends would know, the family well they would have there share toi

oh so kind