Hello, guys.
I'm Farha, long time lurker and finally decided to open an account. As my first post I'd like to warn you guys in order to avoid a potentially life wrecking disappointment.
I read several topics about people playing euromillions or the national UK lottery when they actually don't live in Europe or the USA respectively; either through agents or by some other more obscure methods like actually having an online account (somehow). I'm speaking to those people.
First let's clear the legal side of the situation, it is clearly stated in the Euromillions and the National UK Lottery rules that you have to RESIDE in a qualifying location to be able to claim a prize. Actually, the national lottery goes even further, you now have to reside and PHYSICALLY be in a qualifying country for your ticket to be valid if you buy it online (type "the lottery tickets that can't win thisismoney" on google to see article"). For those who can't be bothered to read the article, it basically says that Camelot (the UK lottery operator) still allows britons to buy online tickets from overseas even though they won't be able to claim anything as Camelot knows where the tickets were bought (why say no to free money?). If those tickets are winners, Camelot is fully protected from a legal point of view. So for those of you playing the national lottery or euromillions from the US on the official UK lottery website, stop wasting your money. Additionally, there are state laws in European countries that regulate the lotteries, some have strict rules that you need to add to the equation.
Now let's talk about the more common way of playing those lotteries from the US: agents. I have to say that I'm less familiar with how those operate, but I'm familiar with euromillions and the national lottery's rules. Beyond the fact that you're not allowed to play or claim a prize if you don't reside in a qualifying country, It is illegal to resell a lottery ticket even at a loss. So buying tickets through agents online (that are not on Camelot's retailers list) automatically invalidates your ticket.
But since the ticket is originally bought legally (and carefully kept for you), how would they know it's not valid?...simple, they don't until they actually conduct their standard checks. Now let me ask you, overseas lottery players, a few questions...
1. If you play illegally and win big, how exactly do you intend to claim your prize?
2. If your agent, that you don't know, buys a 100 million pound winner in your name and realises it...do you really think that person is going to give it to you?
3. Assuming things go well and you get your winning ticket, what are you going to tell Camelot when they ask you for an ID, an address (with 5 year history), a phone number, and various other questions to make sure your claim is valid? They will check every info thoroughly. You'll be forced to forge documents and indulge in a fraud that could land you in prison... are you ready for that? If someone else cashes the check for you, any major transfer might alert them but beyond that do you trust anyone in Europe enough for that?
Lastly, I'm letting you know all this because sadly I had the misfortune to witness the devastating effects of invalid jackpot claim. He was just an acquaintance and I don't see him much anymore but he literally went insane when he was denied his 3 million pounds of cold hard cash. I'll give you his name because it's no secret and it's been a few years now, type "Martyn Tott dailymail" on google for the full story. This man was able to prove through computer checks and other info that he bought the winning ticket, and for a while it looked like Camelot was gonna pay him off. They didn't and it ruined his life for years in an effort to get the money through the courts. Yes, it has nothing to do with our subject but the disappointment is the same..
My personal opinion? Illegal lottery agents are fraudsters. They literally wait until their "customers" hit it big to disappear with the money, so really other people are paying for their gambling. But that's just me, you, beware...