Bought a Lottery Ticket with Someone Else's Money
This question and answer were automatically translated using our trained AI and have not yet been reviewed by a qualified rabbi. Please treat this translation with caution.
go to original →
Question
Shalom Aleichem. Money was given to a person to deliver to another person. On the way, the person entered a lottery, scratched a ticket, and won. The person doesn't know what to do. A. He regrets, as he used money that wasn't his. B. He profited from money that wasn't his. What is the ruling regarding such money?
Answer
Shalom Rav. The winnings belong to the messenger.
A. The money was considered stolen at the time of purchasing the ticket, and the messenger is obligated to return the money to the sender. After that, the winnings belong to the messenger.
B. Money sent through a person does not have to be given in the exact bills or coins, but rather in the equivalent amount [unless stated otherwise]. Therefore, there is no issue with the messenger using the sent money and providing other money.
Source
Shulchan Aruch, Choshen Mishpat, Siman 183