<nettime> Winning in the lottery is good for you

["Dr. Future" <richard@dig-lgu.demon.co.uk>]

My Dear Friends,

from the National Lottery UK, proof that you are right to want more money. 

Or is it? There seems to be evidence here suggesting that you will
nevertheless retain the same spouse, friends, house, hobbies and even the
same job. Everything will be better yet remain the same. 

You decide. 


**************************

MORI SURVEY

OFFICIAL – WINNING THE NATIONAL LOTTERY IS GOOD FOR YOU! 

Camelot Group Plc, operator of The UK National Lottery, has released the
first ever major survey of National Lottery winners to discover what
effect the lottery really has on happiness, lifestyles and relationships. 

The unique survey carried out by MORI, marks the 5th birthday of The
National Lottery and the findings represent the most complete snapshot of
the generation of Lottery winners who have emerged since the first draw on
19 November 1994. MORI questioned 249 players who had won at least £50,000
and respondents included 111 winners of more than £1 million. 

It's who you are not what you win

More than half the Lottery winners are happier now than they were before
their win (55%). Most of the other winners claim that winning the Lottery
has not affected their level of happiness, largely due to the fact that
they were happy before their win. Only 2% of winners were less happy. The
happiness of the winner is not affected by the size of his or her win. 
Those having won £50k to £250k are just as likely to be happier following
their win, as those who have won more than £1m, which suggests that it is
as much the person’s character as well as winning something which is the
key to their happiness.

Of the winners who are happier (55%), around two thirds claim one of the
reasons is improved financial security and fewer worries (65%). A further
23% either stated that they can buy what they want now or that life is
generally a lot easier. 

The large majority of Lottery winners have not experienced any negative
effects on family life or friendships. Of those respondents who were
married before their win (67%), well over nine out of ten (95%) remain
married. All of the winners who were living with a partner prior to their
win (but not married), are still in the same relationship (whether now
married or not). 

Unlike the winner, it appears that the increased happiness of winners’
families is dependent on the size of their relative’s win. A higher
proportion of winners of £250k or more state that their family is happier
(58%) compared with those who have won less than this amount (37%). The
main reason for improved family happiness is increased financial security
(34%). 

Eighty three per cent of winners have given some of their winnings to
their family. Of these winners, two thirds have given money to their
siblings, 57% to their children and 51% to their parents. The range of
recipients appears to be influenced by the size of the win. 

The findings also indicate that the larger the win, the more likely that
the winner’s family will ask for money (17% of families asked for winnings
from winners of £50k-£250k, compared with 29% of families with a relative
winning £2m+). 

Lucky for friends.

Of the two thirds of winners who stated they had a best friend before
their win, nine out of ten winners are still best friends with the same
person. Men appear to be more generous with their winnings than women. On
average men have given money to around three friends, compared with one
friend for women. Men also appear to give away larger amounts. On average,
the largest amount given away by men was around £147,000, while the
average for women was only £60,000. And winners from Scotland and Northern
England gave away the largest amounts to friends, which averaged £228k and
£173k respectively. This compares to those from the midlands (£66k) and
Southern England (17K). The largest single amount of money given away by
one respondent is a staggering £3m. 

Twenty four per cent of all winners socialise with other winners through
Camelot rising to half of those of more than £2m. 

Different lifestyle. 

As might be expected, the lifestyles of many Lottery winners have changed
significantly. Aside from large purchases (such as cars, homes and
holidays) other changes include making increased contributions to charity
(40%) of winners and going on holiday abroad for the first time (19%).
Twelve per cent of winners have still not been abroad and for 7% of
winners a caravan is one of their major purchases. 

Just under 40% of winners have moved home since their win. Although the
proportion of winners who have moved house is influenced by the size of
their win, only 50% of winners of more than £2m have moved house since
their win. 

Of those who have moved, three quarters now live in detached houses.  Most
of those who have moved have not moved far – an average of nine miles.
Fifty six per cent of winners of £1m or more who have moved house consider
their new home to be in the countryside. Winners of larger amounts often
own more than one home (26%), with a quarter of those owning property
abroad. 

Other significant lifestyle changes include; one in ten winners have
switched to private medical care since their win and 1% have had plastic
surgery. Three per cent have moved their children from state schools to
private schools (including 9% of winners of £2m or more). 

Most winners (84%) have not taken up any new hobbies since their win. 
Twelve per cent of winners have joined health clubs, although a third of
all winners state they have gained weight since their win (32%) with a
further 14% losing weight. 

On average, the winners have so far spent 44% of their winnings and 23% of
all winners made use of the independent advisory panel put forward by
Camelot. This figure rises to 40% of those winners of more than £1m. 

Still like a bargain.

Food shopping habits also indicate only a marginal change. Over a third of
winners (37%) still buy supermarket own brands, regardless of the size of
the win. Only 4% claim to have switched from buying supermarket brands to
individual brands. 

Still working

Around half of those winners who were in regular work before their win are
still in the same job (48%), falling to 27% among winners of £2m or more.
Just over half of the winners of more than £1m have given up work
altogether (56%). Of those winners who have started a new job since their
win (15%), around half have started their own business (45%), including
almost all of those who have won more than £1m. 

And finally...

Winning the Lottery appears to have very little impact on the winners’
perception of their social class or their political persuasion. Fifty-two
per cent of winners of £2m+ consider themselves to be working class,
compared with 60% before their win. 

Around nine out of ten Lottery winners still participate in the lottery
every week (88%), and 91% of winners of £2m or more still play. Only 2%
have stopped playing altogether. 

Dianne Thompson, Commercial Operations Director for Camelot commented; 
"The survey gives a uniquely historic insight into the lives of Lottery
winners over the last five years. So far, for the vast majority of
winners, the experience is a fun and happy one". 

During September 1999, Camelot contacted around 350 Lottery winners to ask
whether they would be willing to participate in the MORI survey.  All
those contacted had won at least £50,000 either playing individually or as
their share of a syndicate win. 

     A total of 270 winners agreed to participate. Each was telephoned by
MORI during late September and early October. In all 249 telephone
interviews were completed.



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