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National Lottery syndicates at work are becoming increasingly popular.

But without a syndicate agreement, they are a potential legal nightmare – for example, if someone claims they should have a larger percentage of the winnings than someone else because they’ve been in the syndicate longer.

Syndicate agreements

• A syndicate agreement can settle all disputes and can be used as legal evidence if a member of the syndicate disagrees with how any winnings are distributed.

Creating a syndicate agreement

• You can download a syndicate agreement form from the National Lottery Website. (It can also be downloaded from the bottom of this page.)
• The agreement lists: the names of the participants; the amount they contribute per draw; and the percentage of winnings they receive.
• The agreement should be signed and dated by all participants.
• It should state which games, numbers and draw dates are being entered.
• It should state when contributions are collected and what happens if someone fails to pay their contribution.
• It should state the procedure for someone leaving the syndicate.

Creating a new syndicate agreement

• You should create a new syndicate agreement every time the syndicate changes – for example, if a new member joins or the amount people contribute changes.

Inheritance tax

• If all members of a syndicate have signed the syndicate agreement, members will avoid having to inheritance tax on any large winnings.
• Without an agreement, all members of the syndicate (except for the person who takes responsibility for the winning ticket) may be liable to inheritance tax being paid on their share of the winnings.

Downloads

• Syndicate agreement (National Lottery)

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