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.
Change your name before claiming the prize. This usually takes one month. Then another month to update your drivers license and social security information. No public appearance. Don't sign the ticket until after the name change, keep in a lock box.
Any one knew the rules for winning in New York State....new york lottery websight doesn't tell you much.And if you call on the phone or email ,you just get the runaround..Todd,,,maybe you know since your right next door???????
The MUSL Association publishes at the powerball website, the following FAQ and Answer:
“CAN I REMAIN ANONYMOUS WHEN I HIT THE JACKPOT?
All but five states (DE, KS, MD, ND, OH) have laws that require the lottery to release the name and city of residence to anyone who asks”
To the best of my knowledge, Michigan's anonymity laws are waived for the multi-state games of Mega Millions and Power Ball, for Jackpots and 2nd tier prize winners. Hence, the article maybe flawed on it's representations, about Michigan being a state where the multi state games' winning jackpots and 2nd tier prizes can be claimed anonymously.
The official powerbal website does not support the representations of the article about Michigan being a member of the club of 5 as a 6th member.
Yep michigan is kind of stupid in that no one will know your a winner unless you win powerball or mega. Then they have no problem letting everyone know you won. I guess they have to get some publicity since there games don't really pay out much except for classic 47 but that rarely breaks 10 million and takes a really long time to get there lol
So basically you're saying it's a good idea to go through all those problems to change your name before validating the ticket so everybody will know your new name?
That's sounds like a good idea...whitelion!!!!
Here's what the Georgia Lottery had to say about claiming that state's prizes anonymously
"Thank you for contacting the Georgia Lottery Corporation (GLC).
While Georgia Lottery winners are not required to have a press conference or take a photograph, many feel that it enhances the winning experience. The Georgia Lottery Corporation is required, by statute, to comply with Georgia’s Open Records Act. Pursuant to the Georgia Open Records Act, a prize winner’s name, city, county, and state of residence, and the amount of the prize won shall be regarded as matters of public record. Georgia Lottery prizes may also be claimed by a single legal entity, such as a corporation, partnership or trust."
My Question Is...Does that mean if I created a Blind Trust, that my personal name, city and other residence info would also be made public??? Does anyone know the answer? Thanks!
Changing your name is quite simple. Change it to a commonly known name like Smith, Johnson. I have 50+ James Smith's in my town according to the white pages. Keep it quiet....but we're in America and people these days love the attention and are also impatient. Take 2 months to protect your privacy and your families privacy. You have the rest of your life to spend the winnings.
That depends on what their rules are for claiming by trust.
Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying. You can lock the ticket away in a bible in a safe until after you change your name. If you told nobody (which you're suppose to do) then no one will know it is there. Here is the order:
Change your name to a common name - takes about a month to complete.
Change your address to a UPS lock box (not in your city). This gives you a regular address, not a PO Box.
Once your name change is processed update your driver's license to your new name and address.
Also update your Social security and tax info by filling out Form SS-5 at your local social security office.
Wait a month or so.
When you claim the prize, never do a press conference. They will release your new name, city and prize amount to the public.
If they require a press conference, have a lawyer speak on your behalf, but never step foot in front of those cameras.
Don't change your spending habits for awhile.
***If someone told you that you could be a multi-millionaire, but you had to wait 6 months before spending any of the money and follow a plan.. Would you do it?? I would in a second***
I think I'll change my name to I.M.Anonymous and see if the Iowa Lottery will pay me ~;)
This is why we have: the 2nd Amendment, Concealed Carry Permits & The Castle Doctrine!
What I initially posted is WHAT they've indicated their rules to be. These are their rules for claiming a prize anonymously.
White Lion...you font like some one who may have had some experience with winning the lottery
. I think your idea is 100% valid, I will definitely mention it to an attorney and just see what other unknown ramifications there may be! I have a friend who recently changed his name and the process was very straight forward! Thanks again for the info!!!
As long as the name change is not fraudulent in nature, then it's perfectly legal. I simply don't understand some people's decisions to go public. At the end of the day, you should do everything in your power to protect yourself. Because lets face it, if you win and go public, everyone is out to try and get a piece of your winnings. I simply don't understand how people who didn't win feel like they have a right or are entitled to someone elses winnings. If a family member of mine won, I wouldn't expect a dime. If they send me some money that's wonderful, but at the end of the day they won, not me.
But I don't understand how changing your name before you collect your winnigs will help you be anonymous.The public would still know your new name as soon as you collect your winnings so you wouldn't be anonymous anymore.Seems to me that it would just be an exercise in futility.