Big jackpot winners and lucky scratch-off ticket holders in New Jersey are one step closer to keeping their winnings a secret after the state Assembly passed a bill that would shield the identity of lottery winners in the state.
The measure (S2267), sponsored by state Senate President Stephen Sweeney, D-Gloucester, and Sen. Kristin Corrado, R-Passaic, would directly amend the state's lottery regulations.
Currently, the state requires the ticket holder to publicly come forward to claim their prize. The New Jersey State Lottery Commission can share the winner's photo, name, town and county, including Mega Millions and Powerball ticket holders.
Under the bill, while the winner's identity would be kept secret, the state could still be aware of their identity for reasons including child support collections, delinquent student loan payments, and other debts to state agencies.
The bill now heads to Gov. Phil Murphy's desk. The Democratic governor has until Jan. 21 to sign or veto the bill.
The legislation was introduced after a New Hampshire woman who won a $559.7 million Powerball jackpot filed a lawsuit seeking to remain anonymous when claiming her prize. Citing her "strong privacy interest," the court ruled in her favor and only released the woman's hometown.
Gov. Chris Christie vetoed a similar bill in 2013, which would have shielded winners' identities for one year. The Republican governor claimed it would "undermine the transparency" of the lottery.
If the bill is signed into law, New Jersey would join six other states — Delaware, Kansas, Maryland, Ohio, North Dakota and South Carolina — that allow winners to remain anonymous. Winners in Arizona, Georgia, Texas, and Virginia can remain anonymous if they win more than a certain amount of money.
Lottery Post maintains a forum thread dedicated to tracking the ability to claim lottery prizes anonymously within each state.
Two words: Fair enough!
Todd, were you behind this? Seriously, I know this is something you'd like to see there.
Hope it passes in New Jersey!
Paranoid folks tend to conceal. If person's are big winners they can be resourceful in how they remain integrity driven and respecting of the system of checks and balances.
If this passes it's for the benefit of a lottery system that hides and makes fake news. No one can challenge it because it will be anonymous! The state will just say....ohhh someone won it ...so take our word for it. Really?
There are crazies and criminals in prison and out of prison. Why help them do their evil deeds?
Being anonymous will be a choice. If a winner wants publicity than they are free to claim their fifteen minutes of fame.
.. so you saying Stephen & Kristin are proposing a deceptive measure? What's in it for them? Are they in bed with the lottery, if you say yes- prove it gameygirl.
I'd sure like to live in the fantasy world you do. Have you not paid attention to folks killed over lottery wins? One guy here in Louisville cashed in a paltry sum, thug knew he had some money and killed him right there and then as he left the store. Don't forget about that poor soul in FL buried in concrete on his own property and then another one in GA killed the next day after his name/picture was posted. So don't call folks paranoid, I call it being smart.
Big jackpot winners and lucky scratch-off ticket holders in New Jersey are one step closer to keeping their winnings a secret
"Big jackpot winners" probably applies to winnings in the millions or at least over $25,000. It won't change a thing for winners under $600.
Under the bill, while the winner's identity would be kept secret, the state could still be aware of their identity for reasons including child support collections, delinquent student loan payments, and other debts to state agencies.
Owing back taxes and/or child support are probably the number one reason some players sell their winning tickets. Winning tickets cashed by the "10 %s" still pay taxes but none of the delinquencies are paid. How many more states join the anonymity band wagon will depend their open records legislation.
Paranoid folks tend to conceal.
Normal people try to keep their private business private. Incidentally, you're among the majority here who don't use a real name of photo as username and avatar, and a lottery forum is a lot lower stakes than winning a Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot. Do you consider yourself paranoid?
If person's are big winners they can be resourceful in how they remain integrity driven and respecting of the system of checks and balances.
I'm not sure what this has to do with privacy. Lottery winners don't have to have integrity. They can spend it all on lap dances and action figures they never take out the boxes. Checks and balances?
Whether or not names are made available to the public, the personal info of winners is available to various state agencies. If the lottery created fake winners and kept the money for themselves, it would be very hard to cover up without dozens of state gov't employees being in on it and looking the other way. Very unlikely they could cook all the books that need to be cooked.
I think if you were the one holding the golden ticket with six matching numbers you'd be whistling a whole 'nother tune about anonymity. 😗🎵
Amen Joe. There's a good reason why lotto winners are claiming their jackpot wins by hiring lawyers who put it in a blind trust to claim anonymously. Only an idiot would wanna reveal his/her name after winning big.
Does anyone know what the outcome was of this vote today?
It passed both chambers of the state legislature and the guv'na signed it into law. NJ is now in the anonymoose club.
another state becomes ours jejeje