If you won $19 million, would you share it with your co-workers?

That’s the question seven lucky New York state employees are reportedly contemplating after claiming the huge Mega Millions lottery jackpot Thursday. For years, the so-called “Albany Seven” have pooled their money to buy lottery tickets together.

Now that their numbers have come up, they are in a position to share their winnings with five colleagues who had been part of the pool in the past but didn’t pitch in this time around.

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The idea of sharing a multimillion dollar windfall such as this might seem ludicrous. It surely goes against some longstanding notions we have about human behavior, namely that it’s guided by self-interest.

But a recent wave of scientific research suggests it’s not such a crazy idea after all. In fact, giving away a portion of their winnings might be a surer route to happiness for the Albany Seven than keeping it all for themselves.

Click here to read the rest of the piece, published today on CNN.com.

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Comments

Interesting dilemma. In recent years I think the public’s focus on wellbeing has shifted to the idea that it’s not so much about money, but rather about sustainability. I bet some financial advisors would have an opinion on how to share money in a way that benefits everyone.

Emmy | 3:05 pm, April 6, 2011 | Link

 

Are the winners of the Albany seven a syndicate from CA? Because I can’t find any mention of them on the California Mega Millions result page http://www.californianumbers.com/results.asp
Can anyone please please provide the details for that event? It would be quite interesting to know if they did share at the end

Clemens | 3:52 am, November 8, 2011 | Link

 
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