Winners of big lottery jackpots often crave anonymity amid challenges to do so

  I agree w/Cletu$2 on this, going on camera to talk about how screwed up the world is will achieve ZERO.

unless you consider it an achievement when your audience says,

 " this guy just won a ton of money and he is talking about how bad things are "

Well, when you see the parade of winners are people like T. Ramirez, Willy Johnson, Leroy Wilson, Han Ko, Tom McIlroy, etc. it lets us Illinoisians know that the anonymous winners like folks like Rahman Emmanuel, Barack Obama, Pat Quinn, Rachel Quinn, Sasha Obama, Joe Biden, or any of the Daly or Blagoaviche family. Hardly a year can pass in Illinois without someone not being indicted for corruption. Just because something bad happened to one guy does not mean the ultimate winner against astronomical odds should be allowed to slink off in anonymity. Just deal with it since that 15 minutes of fame is part of the win the jackpot package.  Tell you what, if anyone wins here, I will gladly be your front man.  I will straight up try to get my Dave Chappelle impersonation on!

Not looking for any "front man". I personally don't have any problem going public for a meet and greet session for a state that requires

this ritual. Getting back to my original question, if the state of Illinois reigns supreme in corruption (which I'm not in disagreement with), why

would you assume that by requiring a parade of faces and names of "winners" are legit, and not a continuation of the lottery scam you allude to?

I am also gonna claim anonymously once I win the jackpot(PB/MM)

It's the only way to go!!!

Got to vote for the anonymity over going public........I have no desire for the spotlight.....But for those who do, please enjoy the good, the bad and the ugly from those who feel its their right to pry and learn anything about your life....... As we have seen from all the publicity on how sensational journalists twist things. What sells more ??   Negative or positive stories ??  ........ You may want to ask yourself if there's any skeletons in your closet ??  If there are and you don't want them revealed ???  Do you want to role the dice  that they wont come out ??  just a humble opinion to consider

The Illinois winner is going to be revealed on wednesday. Illinois does not allow one to remain anonymous, but I do think your lawyer can claim for you. I'm not sure. As much I dislike the state law, I still want to win!

It's good that this subject is getting some honest press.  This is a very serious issue, especially in states where you are required to claim publicly.  It wouldn't be so bad if there were just, legit and honest reasons to do so.  But, in each state where you have no choice in the matter, no such case is made.  Most say they require public disclosure in order to prove 'there are winners and that the lottery is legit' (see Virginia state lottery website).  However, those states which allow you to remain anoymous manage to operate their lotteries with no problems.  Some, like Ohio, report increased sales (Maryland also, where many people from PA, West Virginia and Virginia go to buy their tickets). 

Trouble is that those states have lotteries run by lottery contractors who call the shots and pretty much tell state oversight managers and legislators what they will do.  Contractors love public disclosure because they generate considerable publicly for 'their' lotteries.  This bogus belief may have worked in the old days, but today there is considerable competition for lottery dollars, and, when given a choice, many players vote with their feet and purchase tickets in states where they have a choice in how they claim.

This whole situation could change if players get up in arms and demand their states change the rules.  In each state, governors have the authority to allow winners privacy, but there has not been one case where that has been done.  Many winners have asked, but not one has been allowed a benefit given to pardoned criminals and others.  And, of course, states could enact laws or administrative instructions which would allow a choice.  Right now there is a great deal of controversy in lottery boards nationwide about doing this.  But, for some reason, it is always dropped without action.  Virginia, for example, went in the opposite direction and formally changed what had been adminstrative instruction to state law when a major jackpot winner tried to claim by trust.  Yet, Virginia players have generally been mum on the topic, many believe lottery rules to be written in stone. 

Let's hope that all states will allow winners a choice eventually.  The sooner the better.  Maybe then more people will play it, and increase money raised from it.  As noted in the article, many don't play because they have no choice.  I think many of those are from demographics the lotteries want to attract.  As they say, the only way to find out is to try it.