Texas lawmakers are considering a bill that would allow big lottery winners to keep their identity a secret, but they would have to pay for that privilege.
Right now, Texas Lottery winners are not allowed to remain anonymous. In some cases, individuals have established a trust or turned their winning ticket over to a trust to claim the prize for them. But, Texas law requires that someone come forward to participate in a news conference and collect the money.
House Bill 1504 would change that and allow winners of more than $1 million to keep their privacy, if they are willing to part with some of their prize money. The proposed bill would allow winners to remain anonymous if they fork over 5% of their winnings.
The bill is titled, Relating to a lottery prize winner's choice to remain anonymous on authorization to withhold five percent of winnings, and was introduced Tuesday by Rep. Terry Canales (D).
The 5% would go to the state lottery account, which is used to payout prizes, for operation and administration of the lottery, and foundation school fund.
Another way for the government to make money..lol Key word "Bill"
5%? Hmmm.... If all states offer this option it would certainly be an improvement on the notion of making the game even harder to win as a means of earning more revenue.
Unbelievable, and they call themselves Americans. I think they should replace the majority of these lawmakers.
Just another fast Money scheme...
I think it's a great idea. If you want to be anonymous then just shell out some money, it really should be public information who has won though. Let's just keep it all transparent. Your biggest threats will come from people you already know anyways. We as lottery players have the right to know who we have lost money to and that the person who has won is a real person
South Carolina doesn't divulge the identities of lottery winners to the public if they don't want it to be known.
When you think about it there's some people out there that would consider the 5% a bargain if they owe money, child support, get divorced months after the winning numbers and then go collect on the down low. This opens up a whole world of problems.
Come on Texas this is crazy we are trying to get away from the Government taking our money and Texas offers something like this (SMH)
Totally agree Maddog. This sounds like extortion.
Definately need the option to claim anonymously but this is a crock.
Sounds like extortion to me.
It should not cost 5% in the first place.
The right to privacy should not be something Americans be forced to pay for;
but it may be worth the price to keep your name out of the media,when dealing with huge jackpot winnings.
Don't believe this will protect anyone who owes child support, alimony, back taxes, or judgements. Just think it keeps the winners information from the media.
I agree those debts will be taken from your funds before you ever receive your winnings.
What a crock of bull pucky. Allowing someone to be private with regard to lottery winnings should not have to cost them money. 5% seems like small amount but it's not really for every $1M they take $50K just to keep someone's name out of media i say no way.
Ridiculous !
They should have to pay you to use YOUR name and image, that is if you agree to the use.
Now playing the big $ games only when I go to Delaware.