Imagine, after years of waiting and hundred of dollars spent on buying lottos, as you watch the lottery result one fine evening, it shows your lottery winning numbers! You know it because you have been buying the same combination for years! Yes, you have won the lottery! And the lottery prize money is USD50mil!! Now, you quickly grab your lottery ticket to double check and make sure they are really the lottery winning numbers! You ransack through your wallet, its not there. You turn your pocket inside out, its not there too! The house, drawers, carpet, pillow case...etc, the lottery ticket is not there as well! You have lost your lottery ticket! How unbelievable! Your happy and prosperous future is lost even before it begins.

If you have suffered the above or any of the lottery disaster below, you may want to read on to find out what you can do to prevent such disaster.

The first thing you should do when you buy a lottery ticket is to photocopy the ticket. But before you photocopy the lottery ticket, remember to write down your name on every ticket. While generally you will be asked to prove your name with your ID if the lottery prize money is big, you may include the words "ticket owner" beside your name.

Next, you have to eliminate the chance of missing out a winning ticket. Check your lottery numbers carefully before you leave the lottery store. Betterstill, have the lottery shop checked the ticket numbers after each game. Do not rely only on your own eyes, sometimes your eyes may deceive you. Double check and having the lottery store staff to check your tickets will reduce the chances of you missing out a lottery winning number.

In the case where you buy a lottery as a gift to your loved ones, you must ensure that the person who is receiving the lottery ticket as a gift is able to claim the lottery prize if he wins. If a lottery game requires someone to be of a certain age to be legible for the prize money, you must ensure that the person who you are giving the lottery ticket to fulfills that age condition. Consequences of failing to do so may result in much frustration and depression to the lottery winners.

If you are playing the lottery in a group or syndicate, it is best to have the agreement in writing and signed by everyone who takes part. The document should set out the material terms such as the description of the games, the contribution each makes, and how any lottery prize money should be distributed.

In conclusion, prevention is always better than cure. Prepare for the worst to prevent any frustration in the future.