PHOENIX, Ariz. — Those who hit the jackpot in Arizona pay a heavy price when it comes to their privacy, because their names are a matter of public record.
That's no different than a vast majority of states in the U.S.
But if House Bill 2082 makes it through the Arizona Senate, jackpot winners would be able to remain anonymous.
Sen. Steve Gallardo, D-Phoenix, is one of a minority of senators opposed to the measure.
"It is a state agency. They're dealing with public dollars, and the public has the right to know," Gallardo said.
He said just like any other government agency, the lottery is subject to public disclosure laws and said the issue comes down to transparency.
"When you start adding this level of secrecy, you start putting the doubts in taxpayers' minds," Gallardo said. "You start putting the doubts in those that really want to play the lottery that, is it truly an honest system? Is there really a winner?"
The legislation was authored by Rep. John Kavanaugh, R-Fountain Hills, and prompted by a resident of the 8th District he represents.
Matthew Goode of Fountain Hills struck it rich last November when he took home nearly $200 million as half of the largest Powerball jackpot in lottery history.
Goode wanted to remain anonymous at the time, but as it stands now, lottery winners in Arizona are a matter of public record and his name was soon released.
Gallardo said he believes that is a small price to pay for hitting it big.
"If you don't want to be in the public eye and you don't want to be scrutinized, don't play the lottery," Gallardo said.
But arguments over personal safety issues that come with sudden wealth are winning among state lawmakers.
The measure has already passed the Arizona House of Representatives, and will undergo a final vote in the Senate before it lands on Gov. Jan Brewer's desk for her signature.
I see this is a trend today, It's a good thing.
It works in Kansas..........
There is absolutely no reason to give your name to the press unless you as a winner want to.
All the lottery has to say is " A winning ticket purchased at ..... in ....city/ Town"
End of story- if people want to confirm, call the store.
Remember Shakespeare, that unfortunate Soul who ended up under a concrete slab in that wicked woman's backyard? Screw coming forward.
THOSE WHO SAY IT CANNOT BE DONE SHOULD NOT INTERRUPT THOSE WHO ARE DOING IT.
GBS.
of course you agree. you are one of the sheep. we've had this discussion many times before. i agree with steve gallardo who should run for governor of AZ. you only agree because you think if you win you don't want to be harrassed. (legitimate point) however, interest in the lottery will wane if no winners are announced. that's half the fun, if you don't win, seeing the winners and how they handle it and watching them mismanage some of it of course. or if they actually help out their community it is difficult to remain anonymous anyway. someone wil find out and spill the beans. this wanting people to win the money and run and hide forever doesn't seem like much fun to me. for the winner and the losers.
whatever you want to do.
First of all I am not a sheep, secondly I have never had a discussion with you. Last time I checked I am entitle to my opinion and I think a jackpot winner should have that right to remain anonymous if he/she or they choose.
Now the reason I want to remain anonymous is because I have two teenage boys that I want to protect. There have been to many stories of nutjobs threatening to kidnap children of jackpot winners.
Sounds to me like you're the sheep who thinks we should all go along with whatever the government wants without question.
Players are the ones paying the "stupid tax" every time we buy a ticket, and then paying more taxes when we win. We help fund state education and other public services entirely voluntarily. So if we want a change, we have the right to ask for it.
The lotteries will still announce winners, just not as many names will be mentioned. I think there will still be plenty of people who will want to do the press conferences to satisfy the curiosity of some. And personally, if I won and was able to keep my name out of it, I would probably allow the release of some of my personal details that people love to know. If my name is released, they won't be getting one single other tidbit.
All 50 states should be Anonymous .......
I really hope this trend catches on countrywide. The flip side of this is there will be no winner stories that websites such as LP rely on to attract web traffic.
There is an app for that maringoman.
Simple state the following:
A short balding Latino man was the winner of the $120 mil PB in Anytown last night..
A shapely Caucasian blonde woman in her late 20's from Anytown was the winner last night in the $210 mil MM jackpot.
A Tall African American with 2 diamonds in his left ear & a gold " grill" was the winner of the $120 mil PB jackpot from Anytown last Saturday. .
See...problem solved.
i think you're leading the league in hitting the i agree button. that makes you a sheep. you don't have your own opinion you just agree with the flock. there have not been manystories as you say of nutjobs threatening to kidnap jackpot winners children. why do you play if you live in fear of nonsense like that? i don't think you better let your teenage sons go away to college because some nut job with a gun might go on a shooting spree. just keep them at home forever and shield them from society's harm. if they go into the service maybe you could follow them to afghanistan and walk in front of them so they won't be harmed. trust me if by someone astronomical chance you hit the lottery people will find out. this anonymous nonsense will not work whether you have the right to it or not. the general public has a right to know who the winners are. beyond that it is really none of their business what you do with the money.winners identity must be disclosed to protect the integrity of the lottery.
then this website will suffer a quick and sudden death. no more stories no more website traffic. no more lottery books sold etc. life is a crapshoot anyway. a wrong way driver on the thruway could doom you quicker than getting your name released because you won a lottery. i would say don't play if you live in such fear.
Perhaps a required box to check on the play slip....... "Im not afaid".
AZ Lottery is where winners are made
IMA Winner!
watch out for them wolfs
UR A AZ WINNER