A poll of 2,000 adults found that one in 10 Brits would buy the house next door so they could choose their neighbours if they won the lottery. More than half (52%) said they would do something frivolous with a major jackpot prize.
Frivolous Spending Plans
Other frivolous acts include paying someone to do all their queuing for them for the rest of their life and hiring a lookalike to attend dull events so they don't have to. Some would buy the empty seat next to them on every train journey or permanently reserve a table at their favourite pub.
The research was commissioned by The National Lottery, whose Powerball jackpot stands at £318 million. It found that almost all (97%) would share their winnings with others, spreading their fortune among three people on average.
Who Would Get a Share
More than half (52%) would give some to their children, 61% would give some to their partner, and 16% would even give their pet some. While 35% would give to charity and 7% would give money to work colleagues.
Andy Carter, senior winners' advisor for Allwyn, which operates the lottery, said: "While people may admit to a little harmless playfulness when imagining life as a millionaire, the research shows generosity remains a huge part of the dream."
Preferred Winners and Unpopular Choices
The study also revealed who those polled would like to see win if they weren't lucky enough to scoop the jackpot themselves. Almost four in 10 (37%) would want their partner to win, followed by their mum (27%) and children (24%). Dads fare less well (14%), although they still rank above best friends (12%). Siblings come even lower, with 10% wanting their sister to win and just 9% wanting their brother to.
But there are plenty of people those polled wouldn't want to see strike it lucky at all – 35% admitted there's someone they'd be secretly gutted to see become an overnight millionaire. Those who are already wealthy topped the 'anyone but them' list (30%), followed by previous lottery winners (16%) and politicians (14%).
Other unpopular choices include owners of multiple properties (13%), "social media show-offs" (12%), former school bullies (11%), and those with inherited wealth (11%). For some, the prospect of an ex-partner winning big was particularly painful – 25% said they'd rather walk on hot coals than see an old flame land a life-changing jackpot.
Looking Ahead to the Draw
Speaking ahead of Tuesday's Powerball draw, which closes for entries at 11.55pm on Monday 19 October, Andy Carter added: "We all do it. Close our eyes and start spending a jackpot win as soon as we've purchased our ticket."
"It's no surprise people are daydreaming about how a truly life-changing sum could transform their lives, who they'd share it with and, according to our research, who they perhaps wouldn't."
