UK lottery winner recounts downsides of winning

Comment #44

Astekblue — Tue, 31 Dec 2013 20:48:45 GMT

Well Said thegrrrr8est Well Said

I have knew a few as friends

One I used to run into quite often at a country store , a millionaire many times

We would sit and talk now and then

He had a pretty stressful life , people always after him legal and otherwise ( always trying to set him up ) , and he was always running around trying to take care of what he had and owned

His name was Lewis

We were talking one afternoon , and he looked at me real se... [ More ]

Comment #43

thegrrrr8est — Tue, 31 Dec 2013 19:46:42 GMT

I've never understood this thing of people coming out of the woodwork wanting your money. I am related to several millionaires. They don't give me any of their money, nor do I expect them to. I'd have no trouble dumping ANY friend or relative who felt entitled to my winnings.

The truth is, if you have enough money to play the lottery, you've already hit Life's Lottery. You've got a roof over your head, heating and a/c, a refrigerator with food in it, hot and cold running water. That's more t... [ More ]

Comment #42

TNPATL — Tue, 31 Dec 2013 16:49:51 GMT

Well it goes without saying that when you win the lottery your life will change even if you don't want it too. Winning can be both a blessing and a curse.

I sitll hope to win one day though!!! LOL

Comment #41

helpmewin — Tue, 31 Dec 2013 12:41:47 GMT

Comment #40

MegaSuperPower — Tue, 31 Dec 2013 03:19:03 GMT

Haha. Thanks to you I just spent 10 minutes watching Nutty Professor YouTube clips

Comment #39

rdgrnr — Tue, 31 Dec 2013 02:55:45 GMT

...any girl I had relations with...

That reminded me of something that still makes me LMAO all these years later.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iB25eDhWImc

Comment #38

Lucky4Life — Tue, 31 Dec 2013 02:15:04 GMT

or you didn't undrstand what I was trying to say.

My post was directed in no one particular...all I did was read the main article and reply. I honestly don't even know what you posted, but I will go back and read it

Comment #37

Teddi — Tue, 31 Dec 2013 01:32:12 GMT

I think you're missing th point or you didn't undrstand what I was trying to say. Because only a complete and total moron would ever think that life, no matter the circumstances would ever be problem free. I didn't think I needed to waste the time to add that caveat, since no one lives in candyland and this is the REAL world, but perhaps I was wrong.

The winners who cry and say they wish they had never won are the idiots who always get themselves in bad situations and then blame the lottery... [ More ]

Comment #36

MegaSuperPower — Mon, 30 Dec 2013 19:02:53 GMT

Condoms. Screen shots of pertinent texts. Maybe even a consent form. Like I said, I'm just being paranoid because reading up on lottery winners I can't help but assume the worst from some people.

But, like others said, if they're only threatening to press charges ATFER you've won the lottery, it's about being paid off, not necessarily seeing you go to jail. BTW I'm NOT trying to imply I think I did something wrong at some point or even know I did and worry it could come back to haunt me. I ju... [ More ]

Comment #35

myturn — Mon, 30 Dec 2013 06:04:38 GMT

The mistake they made was going public, the UK lottery allows winners to remain anonymous. When you win a large sum it must be hard not to share the good news with everyone, but many who do later regret it. It may start innocently, with people asking to borrow 100 dollars for this and that, it not seem much and people feel mean if they do not give the money. But over time people ask larger amounts and arguments begin.

Comment #34

veganlife125 — Mon, 30 Dec 2013 04:41:13 GMT

Recon MegaSuperPower some would be targeting you to have consensual sex and then cry rape with the dna evidence intact? After your arrest, their lawyer would contact you and agree not to press charges for a million!

What choices will you have SuperMan? Take alot of trips by yourself way out of state or country and introduce yourself as John Smith! Otherwise date rich gals exclusively at that point!

Cheers

Comment #33

DDOH937 — Mon, 30 Dec 2013 01:03:27 GMT

BRAVO!!!!!!! Well said my friend. You and I are in the same boat with this one. I just dont get it either. You know what you're talking about Lucky

Comment #32

RedStang — Mon, 30 Dec 2013 00:34:37 GMT

A downside would be a flat tire or a rainy day. Not sure what kind of Tool this guy is, but only a screwdriver, hammer, or pliers would have a downside after winning a jackpot.

Comment #31

Lucky4Life — Sun, 29 Dec 2013 23:24:15 GMT

Can I tell you a little secret? come close....closer...closer stillll. YOU ARE NEVER GOING TO HAVE A PROBLEM FREE LIFE!!! It does not exist. You will always trade one set of problems for another, especially when you make a quantum leap such as this. At this present moment I am struggling to put food on the table. The market changed in my work situation and my pay has plummetted. Thinking about how to pay for my children's college is no longer an option, it just makes me a million times more depr... [ More ]

Comment #30

Teddi — Sun, 29 Dec 2013 21:04:03 GMT

The problem with that is that you don't have to discuss it with anyone and it's still in everyone's face. You don't have to discuss what you're going to do with the with the money with anyone but they'll still know how much you have, it'll still be a topic of discussion for them. It's one thing for friends and family members to assume you're doing financially well (say from a very good job or good investments) and another entirely for them to know you're filthy rich and how much you're worth dow... [ More ]

Comment #29

Teddi — Sun, 29 Dec 2013 20:40:55 GMT

Too funny. ROFLMAO

Comment #28

Teddi — Sun, 29 Dec 2013 20:39:38 GMT

Well, I have to admit I've never thought about the rape angle, I guess simply because I've never once heard it mentioned by any previous winner, even the ones with the sketchy pasts. But anyone who waits until after a person wins the lottery to cry rape will have a severely uphill battle. Especially if no report had ever been filed. and it's very risky because it's a serious charge to make and it could backfire and have them be charged instead. So I doubt that should be a serious consideration a... [ More ]

Comment #27

MegaSuperPower — Sun, 29 Dec 2013 17:48:46 GMT

I've known wealthy people, poor people, everybody in between. My conclusion: People are generally predictable. The people who will look for a handout or maybe outright ask you for a large percentage of your winnings just because, already do similar things at a smaller scale. Most people, at least if they aren't already suffering financially, will take pride in what they have and maybe be a bit jealous, but not so much. The issue with lottery money is that because you didn't earn it, people who k... [ More ]

Comment #26

Slick Nick — Sun, 29 Dec 2013 12:18:24 GMT

There are so many stories regarding this. I guess the only solution as I've always said is stand your ground . If you never called or came to see me before I won, then why are you here now

Comment #25

savagegoose — Sun, 29 Dec 2013 12:00:24 GMT

this duscussion reminds me of the guy i know, who alwas bangs on about how much they plan to share winning lotto , when i know he nevers buys a ticket.

Comment #24

rdgrnr — Sun, 29 Dec 2013 10:47:11 GMT

...I plan to be generous, however, if you ask me, my answer will be no.

OK, I promise not to ask but just remember if you win I want some, ok

Comment #23

RJOh — Sun, 29 Dec 2013 10:00:25 GMT

(They) will always have an opinion about you but (they) aren't usually your friends anyway so who cares what (they) think? If you think you have to please people you don't even know then you have a problem.

Comment #22

HoLeeKau — Sun, 29 Dec 2013 02:37:51 GMT

Yeah you can refuse to discuss it when you're poor and they just feel sorry for you. When they know you've won millions of dollars, all the sudden you become a rich snob who acts like you're too good to talk to them. Like the guy in the article said, you're snip ed if you do and snip ed if you don't.

This post has been automatically changed by the Lottery Post computer system to remove inappropriate content and/or spam.

Comment #21

RJOh — Sun, 29 Dec 2013 01:23:59 GMT

You don't have to be anonymous to refuse to discuss your personal business with anyone, even if they are your relatives or call themselves your friends.

I'm not rich now and if I ever won a lottery jackpot I can't think of any reason to start treating my relatives and friends any different even if they suspected I had come into some extra money.

Comment #20

HoLeeKau — Sun, 29 Dec 2013 01:07:50 GMT

You can't win if you buy a round for everyone in the bar you're a Flash Harry, and if you don't you're tight. It's the same with the bigger stuff if you get the nice car you're splashing your money around. If you don't, people resent you for holding onto it.

This is exactly why I would want to remain anonymous. When you're poor, you can't please everybody. When you're suddenly rich, you can't please nobody.

Comment #19

helpmewin — Sat, 28 Dec 2013 21:17:22 GMT

Congratulations Mark Gardiner wife Brenda

Comment #18

mrcraft — Sat, 28 Dec 2013 20:40:13 GMT

Yeah, I agree. I found out (thanks to Jon D) that California now requires a natural person to claim prizes. We still have the option to decline press conferences, etc., but we can't claim via a trust anymore, effective earlier this year. Sad, when you consider some states are trying to move in the other direction towards anonymity.

Comment #17

Goteki54 — Sat, 28 Dec 2013 20:38:47 GMT

The old saying goes misery loves company. When people see you doing good, they somehow blame you for their resentment. If I ever hit for several million, I will not tell my family that I hit for that much, just that I hit for a nice sum. Jackpot money is definitely the tester to how strong your freindship, spouse and families ties truly are.

Comment #16

Teddi — Sat, 28 Dec 2013 20:10:52 GMT

I think if you can claim anonymously, it takes half the aggravation out of the picture. There won't be any long lost friends tracking you down, or family members trying to sue you claiming some made-up lie about you promising them a share...or worse, hire a hitman like Mr Post's brother.

They really need to stop the nonsense and make anonymity an option. If you want to tell the world, so be it. If you don't, that option should be there for you.

Comment #15

mrcraft — Sat, 28 Dec 2013 19:21:59 GMT

It's hard to say without actually winning, but I plan to be generous, however, if you ask me, my answer will be no. My gifts will be entirely of my choosing, and I don't want to set a dangerous precedent that not so close friends and strangers can expect money from me like that poor fellow Shakespeare. If they are not happy with my gift, so be it. I'll have no regrets and will move on.

Comment #14

sookie — Sat, 28 Dec 2013 17:47:32 GMT

When I win no one will know, I live in a state that allows me to be annoymous so that's 3/4 of the battle there. And as for my family and friends it's my money I'll do what I please. If anyone gets their nose out of joint they can sulk or throw a fit but I also won't speak to them anymore. I have nothing in writing with any of them and my family is not close to start with. So someone from another branch coming with a sob story or demanding money will get hung up on or a door in the face. I have... [ More ]

Comment #13

Artist77 — Sat, 28 Dec 2013 15:02:02 GMT

I agree. Do not buy homes for your friends. They will want more and you will ruin a friendship. Money changes personal dynamics. I saw some show (not lottery related I think but an Oprah where are they now show) and this woman was always footing the bill for lunches with her friends, etc. The first time she stopped it, virtually all her friends left. So they were never her friends. She learned self esteem, lost a bunch of weight, and was much happier. If a good friend of mine won a JP, I would n... [ More ]

Comment #12

Saylorgirl — Sat, 28 Dec 2013 13:29:53 GMT

He re-married his first wife in 2009 and they are currently married with an 8 year old son.

Comment #11

Party1377 — Sat, 28 Dec 2013 08:47:31 GMT

Agreed shows no matter what you do for some it would never be enough. That's why I agree with states that let you not go public. But some people don't get it go running around telling EVERYONE. Beyond stupid, and that is only asking for trouble.

Glad things are better for this guy now. Hope he keeps having a great life. And I hope his daughters will get to know there dad for the right reasons before it's to late. They would regret not getting to know him down the road.

Comment #10

savagegoose — Sat, 28 Dec 2013 06:29:40 GMT

yeah no mater how much you give people they will become resentful and jealous. so i say give em nothing and skip right to the resentful and jealous part without wasting any of your cash.

Comment #9

DC81 — Sat, 28 Dec 2013 03:16:23 GMT

I believe this man may be insane if he's actually getting married again. As for losing friends and family yeah that's naturally going to happen, personally losing family would be no big loss since I can already do without them and outside my mother wouldn't miss any of them in the slightest.

People you know can change just as much if not more than yourself.

Comment #8

Teddi — Sat, 28 Dec 2013 03:01:34 GMT

With 4 wives, I'm not really sure any other winner will experience to level of litigation this guy has, but I do find it telling that a lot of what he says is exactly what others, even the ones who don't lose their money have said. The loss of friendship from people you thought you knew well. People who expect you to do for them but are never happy, no matter how much you give them. And the constant judgement so you can never do anything right. You either spend too much or not enough. Even worse... [ More ]

Comment #7

Piaceri — Sat, 28 Dec 2013 00:38:43 GMT

Seems to me this guy had family and relationship problems long before the lottery win. It was not the money that ruined those relationships. He blames the lottery win, but he does not sound like a nice person. Maybe he has changed since his lottery win, matured some, but when he won he made his problems into even bigger problems.

I'm not saying the money won't cause problems with friends and family, though. There's always going to be someone related or connected to a lottery winner who become... [ More ]

Comment #6

Mattapan — Fri, 27 Dec 2013 23:24:22 GMT

Wow! What a story. Like Biggie said, Mo' money, Mo' problems. It doesn't say how much he has left though. It seems like he shelled out a lot in the 20 years since he won it, he can't have that much left. snip shame about the kids though, hope they reconcile.

This post has been automatically changed by the Lottery Post computer system to remove inappropriate content and/or spam.

Comment #5

dallascowboyfan — Fri, 27 Dec 2013 20:06:32 GMT

Hopefully he will be able to have a relationship with his daughters.

Comment #4

mrcraft — Fri, 27 Dec 2013 19:25:47 GMT

Interesting read.

Comment #3

DDOH937 — Fri, 27 Dec 2013 19:13:01 GMT

When I win, I'm sure I'll face my share of problems, some already foreseen, others not so much. Life has its surprises for us all. But i guarantee it wont be these problems. No sir...

Comment #2

Jordi88 — Fri, 27 Dec 2013 17:11:24 GMT

There are two other big winners in UK that divorced recently. I hope if I win the Euro- millions tonight it doesn't bring trouble to me .........Jackpot is at $116m Tax free

Comment #1

Greg2117 — Fri, 27 Dec 2013 17:02:08 GMT

Not a problem for me. I have no ex-wives, estrange children that I know of, and I don't keep many friends.

UK lottery winner recounts downsides of winning

Lottery Post — Fri, 27 Dec 2013 16:53:25 GMT

Over the past 20 years Mark Gardiner has accumulated pretty much all the paraphernalia one might associate with a lottery winner.

There's the sprawling listed mansion with manicured grounds and kidney-shaped swimming pool, the gleaming Aston Martin in the garage, and the exotic holidays when he fancies them.

As he puts it: People write a list of what they'd do when they win the lottery, don't they? New house, flash car, lovely holidays, private jets. Well, I've ticked them all off.

But... [ More ]