Bill to allow lottery winners to remain anonymous passes Virginia Senate

Jan 20, 2019, 10:27 am (57 comments)

Virginia Lottery

RICHMOND, Va. — A bill that would allow lottery winners in Virginia to remain anonymous has cleared one hurdle toward becoming a law.

The bill passed in the Senate Friday morning, but still has to be approved by the House of Delegates. It passed with a 33-7 vote.

Sen. Lionell Spruill, Sr. (D-Chesapeake) helped introduced the bill, which would let winners submit a notice to the Virginia Lottery that they do not wish to have their name or personal information disclosed.

The bill would not, however, prevent lottery officials from releasing the hometown of the winner — or the amount of the prize.

Virginia is one of many states across the county where lottery winners cannot stay a secret. A handful of states — including Maryland and South Carolina — allow winners to remain anonymous.

In the FAQ section of its website,the Virginia Lottery says a winner's name, hometown, date of the winning and location of where the ticket was bought are all public record.

People who win "larger or unusual" prizes have their photo taken when they accept their winnings. That photo is then released publically on platforms including Facebook and Twitter.

WAVY

Comments

Raven62's avatarRaven62

The States that don't allow their Lottery Winners to Claim their Prize Anonymously need to Join the Me To Movement!

hearsetrax's avatarhearsetrax

Skepticalwell this is sorta good news for me and my fellow Virginians,

but why do I suspect thars going to be a price tag attached for being able to make the choice ??

Artist77's avatarArtist77

Omg. I had no clue this was ever going to be a possibility. It would certainly keep more ticket sales in VA for all the people who work and buy their tickets in DC but live in VA. I don't spend $10 a year in VA on tickets. VA promotes winner pics and info to the max.

noise-gate

l would love to wake up one morning out here in CA to news like this. However,  l seriously doubt that will happen. Our lottery thinks they have gone far enough. At present, they release the name, amount of the prize, city where the ticket was purchased- but not where the winner lives. Transparency, they call it, millions of  players out here, call it BSHopefully, one day it will change. I mean if pot is now lawfully sold in stores....

Coin Toss's avatarCoin Toss

And here's to brave Virginia

the Old Dominion state....

with the other anonymous states

at length has made her stand

music*'s avatarmusic*

Now it is up to the House of Delegates to pass this bill.  Almost everyone knows that crazies abound in this World. 

 Would a regular rich person flash their cash in public? The risks are too high to the winner and his/her family.

 Besides crazies there are JERKS. Jealous, Envious, Resentful, Kill Joys. It is almost human nature to demand money from a lottery winner.  People are saddled with debt and they see another who is rich and say, "That money could pay off a fair bit of debt". "You did not earn it so what's yours is mine".  Relatives come to mind.  I found this information on YouTube which has Insight: Unexpected Wealth with Jenny Brokie.  Mark Gardiner who won eleven million pounds in Britain used the story of a Green-eyed Monster Jealousy, Envious, Resentment. I added Killjoys.

 I hope this bill passes and the Governor signs it.

US Flag

CDanaT's avatarCDanaT

I would suggest for a bit more background on the bill and one of the big pushers, people need to look at Del. Lee Ware(R) Powhatan. There was a nice article done in a local paper called the Virginian Pilot in the politics section. It came out a month ago,12-20-18. Normally, I would post a link to the site but the last time I did that, it was deleted. The article also talks about the past winner Joe Dennette from 2009 and how he gets harassed to this day, along with referring to other winners from other state. I am wondering who the 7 folks are that voted against this and if they have a R or a D affiliated with their name ?? I am also wondering if the limit is still set at the minimal $10 Million mark for anonymity ? Other than it being the biggest scratch ticket prize. 

Congrats to the lottery players for a potential future of not having everyone knowing your finances. Thumbs Up

music*'s avatarmusic*

Quote: Originally posted by CDanaT on Jan 20, 2019

I would suggest for a bit more background on the bill and one of the big pushers, people need to look at Del. Lee Ware(R) Powhatan. There was a nice article done in a local paper called the Virginian Pilot in the politics section. It came out a month ago,12-20-18. Normally, I would post a link to the site but the last time I did that, it was deleted. The article also talks about the past winner Joe Dennette from 2009 and how he gets harassed to this day, along with referring to other winners from other state. I am wondering who the 7 folks are that voted against this and if they have a R or a D affiliated with their name ?? I am also wondering if the limit is still set at the minimal $10 Million mark for anonymity ? Other than it being the biggest scratch ticket prize. 

Congrats to the lottery players for a potential future of not having everyone knowing your finances. Thumbs Up

CDanaT,  I remember Joe Dennette and can find him on YouTube. He made the mistake of going beyond what is required. It is a shame that he is still being harassed.

 Joe is enjoying his family that the Lottery helped create.  Is he still the owner of a car racing team? That is his dream as well. 

 I can plan on moving after a major win. 

 My advice is to stay away from My Lottery Dream Home and The Lottery Changed My Life. The less publicity the better. 

Patriot 

grwurston's avatargrwurston

People who win "larger or unusual" prizes have their photo taken when they accept their winnings. That photo is then released publicly on platforms including Facebook and Twitter.

I'm sure that could be a literal death sentence for some winners. If I had to have my photo taken, they can take one of my backside.

music*'s avatarmusic*

grwurston, You live in Maryland which grants anonymity to a jackpot winner. I do understand your position on "larger or unusual" prizes. Ask politely and the Lottery Officials may grant your wishes when you say, "NO" to the photo celebrity and "NO" to the Media Availability. 

Coffee

noise-gate

l think that lotteries across the country should treat players with more respect.  By that l mean: provide the playing public with options. Would you " like to meet the press, have a media shoot, or none at all?" After all, they go to great lengths to lure players, asking, almost begging us to open our wallets and play their games. I think it prudent to be asked: When you win, can we use your " initials " & hometown in promoting our games.l for one would agree. So if you are Jane Milly Ross, we going to state that " JMR" from Riverside Park won the $250 million jackpot. That's protection enough, for me.

music*'s avatarmusic*

Quote: Originally posted by noise-gate on Jan 20, 2019

l think that lotteries across the country should treat players with more respect.  By that l mean: provide the playing public with options. Would you " like to meet the press, have a media shoot, or none at all?" After all, they go to great lengths to lure players, asking, almost begging us to open our wallets and play their games. I think it prudent to be asked: When you win, can we use your " initials " & hometown in promoting our games.l for one would agree. So if you are Jane Milly Ross, we going to state that " JMR" from Riverside Park won the $250 million jackpot. That's protection enough, for me.

I Agree! I am sure that Marvin & Mae Acosta would love your idea and go by MA. Here in CA.

 Another disrespect is not informing the winner of the accurate figures when you choose Lump Sum.  The winners think that they will get the full annuity amount. When they do their taxes they are in for a surprise.

 The unexpected deaths of past winners should be taken into account. Do we really need more deaths? 

Unhappy

Artist77's avatarArtist77

Quote: Originally posted by grwurston on Jan 20, 2019

People who win "larger or unusual" prizes have their photo taken when they accept their winnings. That photo is then released publicly on platforms including Facebook and Twitter.

I'm sure that could be a literal death sentence for some winners. If I had to have my photo taken, they can take one of my backside.

Exactly why I very rarely play in VA and if I do, I try the $1 million bank a million game. At least DC does not define a claimant so I could claim with a trust like a big winner did around 2009.

TheGameGrl's avatarTheGameGrl

Quote: Originally posted by noise-gate on Jan 20, 2019

l would love to wake up one morning out here in CA to news like this. However,  l seriously doubt that will happen. Our lottery thinks they have gone far enough. At present, they release the name, amount of the prize, city where the ticket was purchased- but not where the winner lives. Transparency, they call it, millions of  players out here, call it BSHopefully, one day it will change. I mean if pot is now lawfully sold in stores....

LOL!! maybe the ones passing the joints are now passing the bills such as these. Gotta love those who fear for their recognition. 

transparency in govt and ppl needs to be kept relevant.

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