I have read several postings related to naysayers in regards to large lottery pools
With help from the past stories I have read on this great website, I think I have refined a "litigation proof" system I have been using for more than 3 years with a lottery pool that varies currently between 42 and 46 co-workers.
Scan all tickets and email them to participants "before" the first drawing. Include yourself in the group mailing and create a folder and archive all, to show proof that these were sent out to each individual. The key here is to also include an email to the individual(s) who may not have participated in the "current" drawing, but have previously. Just create a "distribution" list for all.
Each participants name is also typed at the bottom of each scanned sheet (I keep a template) with copies of the tickets. Everyone on the list knows who "is" or "is not" in the current drawing. The subject of the sent email reads "check your names". You can do a "read receipt" for the true paranoids. If their has been a mistake, you should hear back from the individual. For individuals who never miss a "buy in" there is not a problem, but I have archived emails that historically show their are 4 turdheads that can't manage to remember 90% of the people at their employment is in a lottery pool. I am seriously considering implementing 3 strikes rule. Miss 3 times and you're out for 6 months.
Keep a printed list of all players to carry with you when you collect your money. When you start your pool, make it clear you will not accept their money unless you have the list with you and they see you check their name off (this originally started with a pre-printed 2 inch receipt that simply read "Lotto june 6 to July 12, $20 buy in" and I would simply initial the paper and exchange for their $20). It's not always a matter of trust but possible human error (mine).
At the top of each name list/lottery scan template it reads "Next buy in date is June *%th". I will also send out a distribution friendly email reminder the Saturday before. This is not necessary but it pretty much eliminates the "I forgot".
The winnings become tricky (especially because of the 4 turdheads). I have to drive out of state for my lotto so I do not feel guilty keeping some gas money. If we win $91 dollars, I will buy $60 in a "winnings buy". At the bottom of my template sheet it will read, "we won $91 bucks, here is 60 more tickets. 67 cents each for gas/lunch" ($31/46 people). I account for every penny and clearly notify all. I always keep less than $1 a person for gas/lunch. The object here is not necessarily to get gas money because I am going anyway but to smash the turdheads in court when they ask "how do I know my share of the $31 wasn't used to buy the future winning ticket".
I only buy "winnings tickets once". If we win off previous winnings ticket, I kill it with the gas/luch scenario. I do not carry over more than once. I have to think of the 4 turdheads crying because they will be in once skip once, in once skip once (arrrrgh) and we may hit. If it ever becomes a notable win over $80 (winings from winnings blah blah), I'll hand everyone their $2. Never happened yet in 3 years.
I also scan all payout receipts that print out when cashier scans tickets and send to players. Serial numbers match with tickets.
When I buy personal tickets, I always buy in increments "not" divisible by 20. Not that it should matter because everyone has copies of their tickets before the first drawing.
Does this seem like a hassle, maybe, but "only" because of the 4 turdheads. Templates are already made and I have a distribution email list. It's just a matter of deleting/adding one or more of the 4 names and scanning tickets every month.
Is it worth it "yes" because I don't have $900 a month to increase my chances of winning by 10 fold and I'm not greedy.
I would be happy(er) with a private island but living debt free and/or retiring early sounds good too.
But dreaming of myself and my 42 friends (sometimes 46) giving a simultaneous "finger to the man" makes it all worth it.