Microsoft Teams Meeting Lottery Tools Comparison [2025 Latest]

"Want to hold a prize lottery in Teams meeting, but how?" "Is there a fair and transparent lottery method?" "Want to know a decision-making method that everyone can accept"

Microsoft Teams is widely used in companies, but there is no lottery function in the standard features. Therefore, many people struggle with role assignment and prize lotteries during meetings.

This article thoroughly compares lottery tools available for Teams meetings and explains the most fair and transparent method.

What Teams Standard Features Can and Cannot Do

What Teams Standard Features Can Do

Poll Feature:

• Simple majority voting
• Anonymous/named voting options
• Real-time aggregation

Usage Examples:

• "Plan A or Plan B?" majority vote
• "Next meeting schedule coordination"
• "Choosing lunch restaurant"

What Teams Standard Features Cannot Do

Lottery/Random Selection:

• Prize lottery
• Random determination of presentation order
• Automatic group assignment
• Fair role allocation

Why Teams Doesn't Have Lottery Function:

• Microsoft focuses on "voting" functionality
• Difficult to guarantee fairness of randomness
• External tool integration is recommended

Five Options for Lottery in Teams Meetings

Method 1: Using Excel Random Function (RAND)

Procedure:

1. Create participant list in Excel
2. Generate random numbers with =RAND() function
3. Determine order by sorting
4. Screen share in Teams meeting

Advantages:

• Unified with Microsoft products
• No additional cost
• Simple operation

Disadvantages:

• Distrust that "function can be changed"
• Difficult to see via screen sharing
• Results change with recalculation

Recommended for:

• Small groups (10 people or less)
• When there is trust relationship within company

Method 2: Using PowerShell/Python Scripts

Procedure:

1. Convert participant list to CSV
2. Random sort with script
3. Screen share results

Advantages:

• Technically reliable
• Customizable
• Can handle large numbers

Disadvantages:

• Difficult without technical expertise
• Time-consuming preparation
• Need to explain "if code is correct"

Recommended for:

• Engineering teams
• Organizations with technical background

Method 3: Online Roulette/Lottery Sites

Procedure:

1. Access free lottery site
2. Enter participant names
3. Spin the roulette
4. Screen share results

Advantages:

• Visually clear
• High entertainment value
• Easy preparation

Disadvantages:

• Question "Is it really random?"
• Only operator manipulates (low transparency)
• Ads may be displayed

Recommended for:

• Casual events
• When entertainment value is priority

Method 4: "Ready, Set, Go" Number Input in Chat

Procedure:

1. "Think of a number from 1-10"
2. Everyone posts to chat on "Ready, set, go"
3. Person with highest/lowest number wins

Advantages:

• No tools needed
• Everyone involved
• Can be done instantly

Disadvantages:

• Possibility of same numbers
• Difficult to prove fairness
• Not professional

Recommended for:

• When urgent decision needed
• Very small groups

Method 5: Using Amidasan (Highest Transparency)

Procedure:

1. Create event on Amidasan
2. Share URL in Teams chat
3. All participants add horizontal bars
4. Execute lottery and display results
5. Screen share results in Teams meeting

Advantages:

• All participants involved in lottery process
• No one can manipulate results
• Mathematically proven fairness
• URL allows storage for 180 days and verification
• Supports up to 299 people

Disadvantages:

• Need to explain ladder lottery mechanism to those unfamiliar
• Takes a bit of time initially

Recommended for:

• Companies prioritizing transparency
• Large group lotteries
• When fair role assignment is needed

Comparison Table of 5 Methods

Method	Transparency	Preparation Time	Participant Involvement	Large Group Support	Recommendation
Excel Random	2/5	5 min	Operator only	2/5	2/5
Script	3/5	15 min	Operator only	3/5	3/5
Roulette Site	2/5	3 min	Operator only	2/5	2/5
Chat Numbers	1/5	1 min	Everyone participates	1/5	1/5
Amidasan	5/5	5 min	Everyone participates	5/5	5/5

Practical Example: Prize Lottery at Teams Meeting (50 participants)

Scene: Quarterly Kickoff Meeting

Advance Preparation (1 day before meeting):

1. Create event on Amidasan
2. Enter prize list (1st-5th place)
3. Share URL in Teams meeting pre-chat
4. Announce "Please register your name before the meeting"

On Meeting Day (Lottery Time 10 minutes):

MC: "Now let's start the prize lottery"
MC: "Everyone, please open the Amidasan URL"
MC: "I'll resend the link in chat"

(Participants add horizontal bars in turn)

MC: "Starting from Mr. Yamada, please"
Yamada: "Added!"
MC: "Thank you. Next is Mr. Sato"

(Everyone completes)

MC: "Everyone completed! Let's see the results"
MC: "I'll press the lottery start button..."

(Screen share results)

MC: "1st place is Mr. Tanaka! Congratulations!"

After Meeting:

• URL stores for 180 days results
• If there are objections, process transparency can be explained

Participant Feedback

"It felt truly fair because everyone participated"

"It was more visually clear than Excel functions"

"Being able to check later via URL is great"

Teams Meeting Lottery: Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Is there official integration as a Teams app?

A: Currently there is no official integration as a Teams app. However, participants can easily access by simply pasting the URL in chat.

Q2: What if participants join late?

A: As long as before the lottery starts, participants can be added anytime. Latecomers can also add horizontal bars.

Q3: Can mobile participants use it?

A: Yes, it works fine from smartphones and tablets. Just open in browser.

Q4: Can results be kept as records?

A: If you save the URL, you can check results anytime. It's also recommended to take screenshots and paste them in meeting minutes.

Q5: Are there security concerns?

A: Since external URLs are used, do not enter confidential information (participant personal information, etc.). We recommend participation using nicknames or employee numbers.

Teams Meeting Use Cases

1. Regular Meetings

Determining Presentation Order:

• Order of weekly reports
• Presentation sequence
• How to fairly decide presentation order

Role Assignment:

• Meeting minutes person
• Timekeeper
• Next facilitator

2. Training/Workshops

Group Division:

• Breakout room assignment
• Project team formation
• Group division to enhance training effectiveness

3. Corporate Events

Prize Lottery:

• Quarterly awards ceremony
• Anniversary events
• Company party lottery ideas

4. Remote Work

Task Assignment:

• Duty assignment
• New project person in charge
• Fair role assignment methods

Summary: Achieving Fair Lottery in Teams Meetings

Microsoft Teams standard features don't have lottery functionality, but transparent lottery is possible by utilizing external tools.

Key Points for Choosing Teams Meeting Lottery Tools:

1. Transparency: Can all participants accept it?
2. Participation: Can everyone be involved?
3. Simplicity: Does it take time to prepare?
4. Recording: Can it be verified later?

Especially, Amidasan:

• All participants involved in lottery process
• Mathematically guaranteed fairness
• URL allows storage for 180 days and verification
• Supports up to 299 people

Please try it at your next Teams meeting.

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Related Articles:

• How to Liven Up Remote Meetings
• Online Prize Drawing Best Practices
• Fair Role Assignment Methods
• What is Amidakuji? Explanation of the Mechanism