How to Run an Office Sweepstake (Without the Arguments)

An office sweepstake is the easiest way to get the whole office talking about football, including Brenda from accounts who thinks offside is a type of fence. Here's how to run one fairly, without anyone accusing you of rigging it.

What is a sweepstake?

Everyone pays the same small amount, everyone gets a team (or a horse) drawn at random, and whoever holds the winner takes the pot. No skill, no research, no excuses. That's the beauty of it: the intern has exactly the same chance as the bloke who's watched every match since 1986.

Running it, step by step

1. Pick the competition

Big tournaments with lots of teams work best: the World Cup, the Euros, the Women's World Cup, the Champions League knockouts, or the Grand National. If there are more people than teams, either let people buy two tickets or put two names on each team and split the winnings.

2. Set one price for everyone

£2 to £5 is normal. Everyone must pay exactly the same, and every penny goes back out as prizes. Nobody, including you, should make a profit.

3. Get everyone signed up

Keep it to people who work at your site. Put a sheet on the kitchen fridge, or send a join link. Set a closing date and stick to it, because there's always someone who "meant to join" after their team wins.

4. Do the draw fairly

The draw must be random. Names in one hat, teams in another, done in front of witnesses (or at least in front of the biscuit tin). An online random draw is fine too, as long as nobody chooses their own team. Letting people pick is betting, not a sweepstake.

5. Keep a table everyone can see

Half the fun is the gloating. A printed wall chart works. A live table on everyone's phone works better, and saves you updating it with a highlighter every evening.

6. Pay out

Decide the prizes before the draw, write them down, and pay out promptly. A common split is 70% to the winner, 20% to the runner-up and 10% to the team that finishes bottom.

What goes wrong (and how to avoid it)

• "I paid, honest." Keep a list of who has paid, and tick names off as the money comes in.
• Someone working from home wants in. The law on this is strict. See is an office sweepstake legal?
• Arguments about the draw. Do it in public, or use an online draw everyone can watch.
• Nobody cares after their team goes out. Add a prize for the worst team, so even the losers keep watching.

Fancy something that lasts all season?

A sweepstake is over in a few weeks. Last Man Standing runs all season: everyone picks one team a week, and if your team doesn't win, you're out. It's a brilliant follow-up for the office, and you can start one free today.

Our next online sweepstakes are on the way. Join the list on the homepage to hear first.

Quick answers

How much should an office sweepstake cost?

Usually between £2 and £5 a ticket. Everyone must pay the same price, and all of the money should go back out as prizes.

Can people choose their own team in a sweepstake?

No. In a sweepstake the teams are drawn at random. If people choose their own team it becomes betting, which needs a licence.

What if there are more people than teams?

Let people share a team and split any winnings, or run two separate draws. Just make sure every ticket costs the same.

Can I run an office sweepstake online?

You can use a website to do the draw and keep the table, but collect the money in person at work. Selling tickets online or by email isn't allowed for a work sweepstake.