Note to the Kansas and Maryland winners of last month's $656 million lottery jackpot: Count your anonymous blessings.
The states, where ticket holders claimed their $218.6 million portions in anonymity, are two of only six states that allow lottery winners' names to remain secret.
Officials in states other than Kansas, Maryland, Delaware, Michigan, North Dakota and Ohio make public the names of lottery winners, with rare exceptions. Most see the identities of winners as a matter of public record subject to open-records law while others say revealing the names adds to the lottery's credibility and encourages others to play.
"People like to see the people who are actually winning," said Katy Smith, a spokeswoman from the Oklahoma Lottery. "If we don't let people know people are winning, then that raises questions."
Mike Lang, an Illinois Lottery spokesman, agrees and says winners in his state must come forward publicly "unless there is a compelling reason not to."
That's why, last week, everyone learned at a news conference that Merle and Patricia Butler, a retired couple from Red Bud, Ill., will take home $110.5 million in Mega Millions winnings after taxes. The two claimed the third and final portion of last month's jackpot in public, per Illinois Lottery rules, Lang said.
States that publicize winner's names do so for commercial reasons rather than public good, said Andrew Stoltmann, an attorney who has represented lottery winners.
"It's a horrible rule for states to force winners to come forward," he said. "The single-best commercial that the lottery has is the press conference that winners hold discussing how the lottery winnings have changed their lives. ... There's a real disconnect between the interest of the lottery officials and the winners. The best thing a winner can do is remain anonymous."
Lottery officials nationwide, however, maintain that games involve public funds and as such are subject to disclosure laws just like any other matter handled by governments. Exceptions are made in some cases. In Illinois and North Carolina, people with restraining orders and other extreme cases can remain anonymous. In Florida, law enforcement officers can be kept secret.
In states like Colorado, Connecticut and Vermont, winners can bypass having their names released by claiming winnings through a trust or a limited liability company. However, at least one state, Oregon, forbids such practices and requires that individuals come forward.
Not being able claim the prize anonymously is the reason I will not play big prize games in virginia. This rule sucks.
Glad Oklahoma allows you to claim via trust
I buy tickets in both Ohio and Michigan...anonymous both. Score!
I think in DC you can claim via a person or entity (trust). So that is why I try to get tickets in DC vs Virginia most of the time. If I ever win, I want a red outfit like the 3 amigos who won the super MM.
I wonder if there is an ex-boyfriend that I can get a restraining order against so I can claim anonymously here in NC.
Lol. I'm only kidding.
That is the most ridiculous law to make public record your name when you hit the big jackpot. Now your name and soon to be your address will be available to every hoodlum in your state. You would need to change your name and go into hiding.
Wait a minute, you mean Indiana's not an anonymous state?
<snip> it.
So i live in nc so you mean to tell me if i have a restraining order i can claim my prize anonymous because i always go to sc to play because you can claim your prize anonymous their.
This from the 2nd most corrupt state in the union.
IL. lottery spokesman : winner must come forward "unless there is a compelling reason not to"
compelling reasons.
#1 winner is a politician.
#2 winner is a lottery employee.
#3 winner is connected to #1 or#2.
#4 winner has a restraining order.
This is worse than forced public disclosure, because it makes a rule that certain ppl. don't have to follow.
While the avg. sucker has to fend for himself.
Don't do as i do, do as i say.
Have to have my name and city of residence published down here......But at least I don't have to have a public news conference.....How does that comply with freedom of speech ??? Forced to talk about money you won ??? I might be tempted to grow a beard, wear sunglasses and look like a member of ZZ Top
You can not claim anonymously in SC. YOu can at first, but if the press wants your name they are allowed to have due to freedom of information. I too live in NC but I work in SC. I do buy my tickets in SC because it is a shorter drive to Columbia than to Raleigh, should I win a "large" prize.
Well Z, aint the freedom of choice a beautiful thing ???
..........Here's 
hoping you have a winning jackpot ticket purchased from S.C soon.
One of my fav. bands.
Well ok, can't wait to hear you sing "just got paid"
don't wear a Frank Beard disguise, hes' the one that doesn't have a beard. LOL
on another point,
"if Jesus just left chicago"
maybe he wanted to claim anonymously.
LOL. The ZZ Top dude with the long beard lives in the gated subdivision up the road from me. I haven't seen him, but I know people who have.
Texas has limited publicity that allows you to claim via trusts, etc, and not be subject to a public interview. I think the minimum is town where the ticket was bought and the entity name claiming. I'd think a good lawyer could bury your identity far enough that the average detective would not be able to find you.