Lottery state chart/anonymity and claimants

Reply #127

Artist77 — Fri, 29 May 2026 22:37:40 GMT

Thank you. Todd pinned it to the top of the Jackpot forum.

Reply #126

DataStats99 — Thu, 28 May 2026 23:57:24 GMT

This chart is a lifesaver for checking anonymity rules. Every lottery player needs to bookmark this before hitting the big one. Thanks for keeping it updated

Reply #125

moneypot — Tue, 23 Dec 2025 00:21:50 GMT

Thank you you both

Reply #124

Todd — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 20:36:25 GMT

Connecticut information updated.

Reply #123

Artist77 — Fri, 04 Apr 2025 22:54:16 GMT

As President Trump said to Joe Biden during the debate, I have no idea what you just said.

Reply #122

Artist77 — Fri, 04 Apr 2025 22:51:03 GMT

Thank you

Reply #121

MzDuffleBaglady — Fri, 04 Apr 2025 21:25:49 GMT

Nice thread.

Thank you @ Artist77

Reply #120

truckpro — Fri, 04 Apr 2025 20:32:18 GMT

3101 hwy 59 n shepherd tx 77371. The cashier took my receipt. Of the mega n mega millon. Black gmc .,, 22 kinda left ,,, the femal I. Her 375 ... glasses,,, if you could use the video tapes let me know.

Reply #119

Artist77 — Tue, 28 May 2024 22:54:23 GMT

Interesting. The default is 90 day anonymity unless they waive it so there really is not a step necessary to invoke it.

Reply #118

Sum Buddy — Sat, 25 May 2024 18:47:18 GMT

I was checking out the latest winners page of Florida's Jackpot Triple Play game, and there are two claimants (both this year) of jackpots over $1,000,000 who have invoked the EXEMPT PURSUANT TO F.S. 24.1051 clause :

(3)(a) The name of a winner of a prize valued at $250,000 or more is confidential and exempt from s. 119.07 (1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution for 90 days from the date the prize is claimed, unless the winner consents to the release of his or her name or as prov... [ More ]

Reply #117

eddessaknight — Tue, 21 Nov 2023 00:39:10 GMT

Glory On HIGHEST

Reply #116

eddessaknight — Sat, 11 Nov 2023 03:59:25 GMT

Reply #115

eddessaknight — Sun, 30 Jul 2023 00:12:07 GMT

Amen Music!

The entire Universe has to be understood as a single undivided whole.

~The Undivided Universe by David Bohm, eminent scientist

Reply #114

TreehouseGCL — Thu, 06 Apr 2023 15:58:44 GMT

Reply #113

Todd — Wed, 05 Apr 2023 10:47:26 GMT

You're correct, thanks for pointing that out. The information has been ammended.

Reply #112

tomtom80 — Wed, 05 Apr 2023 01:24:03 GMT

The Arkansas lottery anonymous period is only 3 years. The law (ACT 889) states: (C) Records or information filed with the Office of the Arkansas Lottery and treated as confidential under subdivision (a)(3)(A) of this section shall become public after three (3) years.

Reply #111

eddessaknight — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 23:22:38 GMT

Reply #110

KY Floyd — Fri, 24 Feb 2023 07:17:39 GMT

The key word is the name may be released if there is a records request.

You're probably misunderstanding what may means. The lottery might not release the name as a standard policy, but requests under the FOIA require the government to release the requested information unless it's exempt from FOIA requests, and information about LLCs is public information that doesn't require a FOIA request. I'd read may be released as will be released if there's a lawful request.

That said, depending o... [ More ]

Reply #109

Artist77 — Thu, 23 Feb 2023 00:59:15 GMT

Nope. Washington state is not an anonymous state. The records request is a separate issue. Please provide links where winners have remained anonymous using trusts. Thanks.

Reply #108

JSeattle — Thu, 23 Feb 2023 00:54:26 GMT

WA State....Maybe anonymous.

I think in Washington the winner can remain anonymous. The key word is the name may be released if there is a records request. Not will or must . So the lottery can choose not to reveal the people at the winners request and that would be lawful . There have been several winners who claimed using Trusts or LLC and remained anonymous.

Reply #107

Todd — Sun, 29 Jan 2023 21:29:50 GMT

No, whoever tried to do that would get thrown in jail. Lotteries are tightly controlled and audited.

Reply #106

scorpio45 — Sun, 29 Jan 2023 20:24:11 GMT

is it possible for lotteries to make up a fictitios winner,after a year keep all the millions for their own state

Reply #105

Todd — Tue, 02 Aug 2022 10:31:54 GMT

Arkansas is now an anonymous state, and the list has been updated. Thanks to the Arkansas Lottery for sending us the updated information.

Reply #104

Soledad — Sat, 30 Jul 2022 10:51:06 GMT

While staying anonymous may benefit the player, if all big jackpot winners stayed anonymous I think or believe it would hurt the game itself. Make it less legit, or the idea at least.

I'll just finish by saying, Paz Para Vieques. Lol

Congress will never admit their mistake with Puerto Rico. It would cost too much.

But hey to the jackpot winner, you should move to PR. It's a beautiful island, and you'll save a fortune on taxes. You'll probably need to hire a bodyguard though. Lol... [ More ]

Reply #103

Artist77 — Wed, 13 Jul 2022 18:09:43 GMT

There is an old saying about the first people to complain or critique...they are ALWAYS the ones contributing less in life, not more.

The jealousy is kind of funny but so sad. Delusions of grandeur.

I am glad this summary has been so amazingly helpful and useful.

Case closed.

Reply #102

redaxe — Wed, 06 Jul 2022 20:10:39 GMT

Didn't think I'd run across a territory debate on LP! Cool!

To show my appreciation, direct from wikipedia:

A lottery exists within the United States Virgin Islands, the only US lottery outside the mainland and Puerto Rico. It was established in 1937 and became an independent agency of the territorial government in 1971.[1] The USVI is a member of the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL). It is the smallest US lottery to offer either Powerball, Mega Millions or scratchcard games. The... [ More ]

Reply #101

KY Floyd — Sat, 02 Jul 2022 05:39:23 GMT

I'm certainly not claiming the website I found the quote on is even the least bit reliable, because I didn't do anything to investigate it. I simply used the one you linked to because it was easy to do.

Reply #100

Artist77 — Wed, 15 Jun 2022 10:24:28 GMT

Sounds like someone missed the legal justification and basic understanding of the claiming summary analysis. Lol lol But again, I contributed this very useful summary while others spend their days trolling on the internet all day long.

I used actual legal and documented sources. One can find info on the internet to claim we all came from Mars but that does not make it legally accurate or true.

So jelli of the 145000 views.

Reply #99

KY Floyd — Wed, 15 Jun 2022 04:01:15 GMT

Territories are part of a country.....This is basic primary school level geography.....

Sounds like basic English to me, because it depends on what part of means. Obviously you were working with some wildly ridiculous concept of what part of means.

FWIW, I found this quote on the internet, so I guess you're not alone: U.S states and U.S. territories are part of the United States

Reply #98

Artist77 — Wed, 15 Jun 2022 00:11:28 GMT

Thank you Todd. A perfect answer. I had to check the calendar to confirm it was not April 1st.

1) Had Ms. KOE performed even 30 seconds of research, she could have easily determined that US states are not the same as US territories and vice versa and US territories are not a part of the USA. Territories are not states and not referred to as states but I learned that in 4th grade as apparently nearly 145,000 views of this summary confirm their understanding as well.

https://www.masterc... [ More ]

Reply #97

Todd — Tue, 14 Jun 2022 14:56:19 GMT

Um, no. I guess someone skipped their geography class.

The attack of yours that I deleted was where you attacked the person who wrote the original post here, without merit or evidence.

Reply #96

Kingofearth — Tue, 14 Jun 2022 14:25:43 GMT

Territories are part of a country.....This is basic primary school level geography.....

It's not an attack to point that out.

Reply #95

Todd — Tue, 14 Jun 2022 13:56:05 GMT

That is incorrect. The are US territories, not part of the US . I have removed your personal attack.

Reply #94

Kingofearth — Tue, 14 Jun 2022 13:46:54 GMT

Puerto Rico and The US Virgin Islands are part of the US.

Reply #93

Ricklou — Thu, 07 Apr 2022 06:24:28 GMT

Serge from Belgium

Reply #92

Speler — Tue, 05 Apr 2022 17:27:09 GMT

When I'll win 3 millions at lotto, I'll be able to think of being anonymous, meanwhile I stay famous

Reply #91

redaxe — Fri, 07 Jan 2022 00:36:31 GMT

Welcome to the Madness

Reply #90

Brockm69 — Mon, 03 Jan 2022 17:22:22 GMT

Thank you! I'm new to LP.

Reply #89

redaxe — Mon, 20 Dec 2021 07:09:53 GMT

FOR LOUISIANA

I apologize for not having a good link or any link, but I seem to remember awhile back

a family won, maybe powerball, and claimed through a trust. The family name was announced, but I don't think the individual was named. Smaller Prizes (our p6 p5) are sometimes claimed through trusts, but the media here could care less about anything under a few mil. and don't publicize. Don't quote me on that as I'm too lazy to look it up. Kinda remember some had full name and others just s... [ More ]

Reply #88

Artist77 — Sun, 19 Dec 2021 15:55:39 GMT

A reminder to all about the chart. I chose to address anonymity in two ways. What the state law states or doesn't state about anonymity for individuals/and options successfully used to get around that state law via other options.

ANONYMITY FOR INDIVIDUALS/ WHAT ENTITIES CAN CLAIM

Reply #87

Artist77 — Sun, 19 Dec 2021 15:51:05 GMT

I prepared that list. Could you point out what is incorrect with citations and links? The NH case concerned signing a ticket and claiming via a trust.

Reply #86

Artist77 — Sun, 19 Dec 2021 15:38:30 GMT

Exactly. They still know who won, checked id, etc.

Reply #85

Todd — Tue, 14 Dec 2021 19:00:26 GMT

It would not have changed the situation at all, he still would have been caught. Even though anonymity laws prohibit the lottery from sharing identities with the public, the lotteries themselves still have complete transparency into who claims the jackpot.

Reply #84

JeetKuneDoLotto — Tue, 14 Dec 2021 18:01:10 GMT

Just curious, how would this have affected the situation if Eddie Tipton was allowed to claim his money anonymously?

Are there any drawbacks to this trend

Reply #83

eddessaknight — Wed, 01 Dec 2021 17:24:26 GMT

Greetings Artist

eddessa_knight

Reply #82

KY Floyd — Wed, 06 Oct 2021 04:36:28 GMT

The NH information is correct. NH already made it fairly easy to stay anonymous by using a trust, but the woman signed her own name on the ticket. Many lotteries say they're required by law to release information about winners, but in NH that was just the lottery's interpretation of requirements under the state's open records law and not a law that actually says lottery winner's names have to be released.

IIRC the PA lottery allowed a winner to remain anonymous based on the ruling in the NH c... [ More ]

Reply #81

WinWinChicDin — Sun, 03 Oct 2021 17:18:38 GMT

I thought PA was anonymous with an LLC...as was used by a winner in 2019 or so.

List incorrectly references a woman from NH quest to get anonymity through the courts...

Reply #80

Rexer90 — Sat, 07 Aug 2021 05:46:03 GMT

Update: It was ten prizes of $1.5M thirty of $50,000 each.

Draw was done with numbered balls, EXACTLY the same as the regular lottery.

Reply #79

Rexer90 — Sat, 07 Aug 2021 01:54:54 GMT

A while back Ca Governor Newsom had three lottery drawings for vaccine recipients. There were two drawings where a total of 30 people won $15k (I think) a later drawing where the (3?) prizes were over $1m. It was up to the winners to remain anonymous.

This appears to have set a precedent for California winners to remain anonymous...

What say you

Reply #78

Todd — Mon, 28 Jun 2021 14:54:10 GMT

We publish Florida in the chart as Not anonymous/Anonymous possible via a LLC, which is exactly what that winner did.

Reply #77

BuyLow — Mon, 28 Jun 2021 13:57:07 GMT

Another Jackpot winner in NOT anonymous FL claimed with a trust with the attorney as the Trustee. Voila...anonymous. http://fllottery.com/pressRelease?searchID=199667

Reply #76

Todd — Thu, 10 Jun 2021 12:13:35 GMT

I believe the legislation is still waiting for a signature from the governor.

Reply #75

Caps — Thu, 10 Jun 2021 08:50:32 GMT

Missouri just passed a law so winners can remain anonymous. I hope online play is next.

Caps

Reply #74

Todd — Mon, 10 May 2021 17:43:32 GMT

Updated with the Minnesota law allowing anonymity for lottery winners.

Reply #73

Aaron Iqbal — Mon, 15 Mar 2021 12:36:41 GMT

Thank you all, find it useful

Reply #72

scorpio45 — Wed, 17 Feb 2021 00:57:36 GMT

and lucky,no double numbers,no zeros usually

Reply #71

scorpio45 — Mon, 08 Feb 2021 21:16:45 GMT

vermonts tri state lottery is so funny.i play all the pik 3,4 numbers that haven't hit for a year.then no hits,but if i stop playing them,they hit again,why

Reply #70

Coin Toss — Mon, 14 Dec 2020 20:07:25 GMT

Thanks for the info Artist77.

////////////////////////////

music*

You keep skipping the step about actually winning a jackpot first.

Reply #69

Artist77 — Sun, 22 Nov 2020 19:45:16 GMT

The chart has been updated with Mississippi since they have draw games now.

Thanks to all for making this such a popular thread

Reply #68

LottoLinds — Sat, 29 Feb 2020 17:25:53 GMT

In Pennsylvania, there has been at least 1 prize that was claimed by a trust. Andrew Santana, attorney for the Emerald Legacy trust claimed a Powerball jackpot in April 2018. AFAIK, the trustee has never been disclosed.

Reply #67

eddessaknight — Fri, 21 Feb 2020 22:47:35 GMT

That's improving news, Todd

Stay tuned more will come and soon too!

There nothing stronger then an idea who's time has come....

Reply #66

Todd — Wed, 22 Jan 2020 23:32:58 GMT

List updated with New Jersey law allowing anonymity.

Reply #65

cottoneyedjoe — Wed, 22 Jan 2020 02:29:01 GMT

You can add links now that your account has one bar. Here you go https://www.mslotteryhome.com/players/faqs/

Also, NJ is now completely anonymous. https://www.nj.com/politics/2020/01/win-big-you-can-claim-those-nj-lottery-winnings-anonymously-under-new-law.html

Reply #64

db101 — Wed, 18 Dec 2019 05:07:27 GMT

Lawd! You are exhausting

Reply #63

KY Floyd — Tue, 17 Dec 2019 20:45:03 GMT

The Manager only manages the LLC persuant to the LLC Operating Agreement.

You're 100% right for LLCs where the manager is a 3rd party who's not a member of the LLC, but of course there's no requirement for an LLC to be managed by somebody who isn't a member. That means that the manager can be a member, in which case that person is a managing member and the FL lottery press release lists Panouses as the managing member of the LLC. That's something anyone who can read at a3rd grade level shoul... [ More ]

Reply #62

db101 — Tue, 17 Dec 2019 05:11:06 GMT

This is a wonderful resource for those who play across the country. Bookmarked!

Mississippi is the latest addition to the anonymous states according to their FAQs. When I attempted to post a link to the official state lottery site I got very stern and hilarious warning that I was spamming, lmao. Anyway, keep up the great work.

Reply #61

Artist77 — Sat, 14 Dec 2019 12:41:06 GMT

Great info Buylow. You are certainly our expert on Florida. I will send the info to Todd to add when he has the time.

Thanks

Reply #60

BuyLow — Fri, 13 Dec 2019 20:33:13 GMT

Well looky here: A Trust claiming a prize. Trust in Indiatlantic same as out attorney above. Usually they name a Trustee, none mentioned here.

http://flalottery.com/pressRelease?searchID=199165

Reply #59

Artist77 — Wed, 11 Dec 2019 23:47:00 GMT

Exactly. Fairly simple for most people to understand.

Reply #58

BuyLow — Wed, 11 Dec 2019 21:50:59 GMT

He's just the Manager of the LLC. I have an LLC in FL, Another person is the Manager (NOT AN OWNER) I am the registered agent. The Manager only manages the LLC persuant to the LLC Operating Agreement.

Reply #57

KY Floyd — Wed, 11 Dec 2019 20:31:23 GMT

How could you possibly know?

Simple probability says that he's almost certainly just the attorney that the winner used, but if he did happen to win do you think he's stupid enough to create an LLC, list himself as the registered agent (and managing member, assuming the lottery got it right) and then tell people that it's him that won and not an unnamed client

Reply #56

BuyLow — Wed, 11 Dec 2019 17:07:22 GMT

He's actually an attorney. Not a CPA that I could find. https://www.panouseslaw.com/

I would guess the LLC was ONLY set up as a claiming vehicle and for anonymity. If so, there was almost 100% certainly an LLC Operating Agreement privately behind the scenes, which stated the LLC was only formed to claim the prize and that the Attorney was NOT the owner of the prize. Just my .02 .....

Also interesting with the LLC: FEI/EIN Number--- NONE Most LLC's have one.

Reply #55

Todd — Wed, 11 Dec 2019 13:42:08 GMT

He is not a winner.

Reply #54

KY Floyd — Tue, 10 Dec 2019 05:59:46 GMT

I've got no quarrel with a claim that he's not a member of the winning group since the LLC is just a vehicle to protect the identities of the real winner (and of course there's no reason that anyone here would know whether that means an individual or a group), but the Florida Lottery press release refers to Panouses as the managing member, which would make him a legal member of the LLC. Anyone who has a clue about LLCs would also recognize that as the registered agent Panouses is clearly (and le... [ More ]

Reply #53

Artist77 — Sun, 08 Dec 2019 11:45:14 GMT

Incorrect. Todd found out that the CPA was not a member of the winning group, just an advisor. This is noted in the Florida summary.

Reply #52

KY Floyd — Sat, 07 Dec 2019 17:59:15 GMT

the lawyer is also the managing member, so, not totally anonymous

There always has to be some way for people to track down somebody involved with an LLC for legal purposes, so it's always impossible for everybody involved to remain anonymous. The question is then whose name is available to the public, whether it's for typical legal purposes or just because somebody wants to know. Whether the owners want to hide their identity or not having a third party to act as the registered agent of the... [ More ]

Reply #51

Artist77 — Sat, 30 Nov 2019 13:27:29 GMT

This update is under Florida in the lottery chart. One has to do a multi tier analysis for anonymity. Anonymous for an individual....if llc or trust is permitted, what info is released, etc.

Reply #50

Sum Buddy — Sat, 30 Nov 2019 11:23:37 GMT

It does say that the lawyer is also the managing member, so, not totally anonymous. Or maybe he is the sole winner, under the umbrella of an LLC.

Reply #49

Artist77 — Fri, 29 Nov 2019 16:46:58 GMT

I think this is due to the trend towards other lottery states moving towards anonymity or some degree of anonymity. California does not want to become an anonymous state so it was probably costing some ticket sales. So backing off the over the top publicity probably encouraged more sales.

Reply #48

cottoneyedjoe — Mon, 25 Nov 2019 23:12:46 GMT

You cannot claim via a trust/LLC and anyone can obtain names of winners in CA by submitting a public records request, and it has always been that way as far as I remember. So in that sense, CA is not an anonymous state.

In recent years the CA lottery hasn't been going out of its way to publicize winners who don't want publicity. It depends on who's in charge at any given moment. It seems the current crop of officials have been more sympathetic to winners' privacy concerns and have discovered... [ More ]

Reply #47

Beetle26* — Sun, 24 Nov 2019 22:25:39 GMT

I've lived in California almost my entire life, and check their website weekly. As long as I can remember (for 13+ years), every time someone wins in California, I don't HEAR OR SEE almost 80% of the big winners. So either they are lying to the public to lure people into coming forward, or the public is lying to themselves.

About 10 years ago, I clearly remember googling this question and EVERYONE was saying that California was the best state to win in, because they are very anonymity friend... [ More ]

Reply #46

Beetle26* — Sun, 24 Nov 2019 21:59:00 GMT

I have lived in California almost my whole life and I remember around 10 years ago I googled this question and everyone was saying California was one of the ANONYMOUS FRIENDLY STATES, but now everyone online is saying it is not??? I am very confused as to WHEN it has changed....

Also whenever I hear that someone won in California, I NEVER hear or see the person on media, EVER! So I don't know who is spreading lies that California is not an anonymous state! If California is the one spreading... [ More ]

Reply #45

Artist77 — Tue, 19 Nov 2019 14:56:19 GMT

Buylow:

Finally had a time off to sit down and look at this info. Great info and great research. I sent Todd this update for Florida.

Thank you

Reply #44

Artist77 — Wed, 23 Oct 2019 23:42:13 GMT

Thanks Buylow for the info. Sounds interesting. I will look into it and update the chart early next month.

Reply #43

BuyLow — Tue, 22 Oct 2019 15:56:18 GMT

This claim was just made in FL with an LLC. Only the Lawyers name appears looks pretty anonymous to me.

News Release.

http://flalottery.com/pressRelease?searchID=199128

LLC Search.

http://search.sunbiz.org/Inquiry/CorporationSearch/SearchResultDetail?inquirytype=EntityName directionType=Initial searchNameOrder=ABIDE7LIWA%20L190002505580 aggregateId=flal-l19000250558-af1de999-376a-428a-bff5-dfeabbf3d50c searchTerm=ABIDE7LIWA listNameOrder=ABIDE7LIWA%20L190002505580

Reply #42

jerryb*49 — Sun, 08 Sep 2019 16:11:41 GMT

Just want time to hire a lawyer, accountant, financial advisor, movers, realtor, security force

Reply #41

Artist77 — Sun, 08 Sep 2019 13:21:10 GMT

I think it would be inappropriate and likely illegal for them to identify you until you claimed it, You would still have to provide ID, sign forms, etc. And claiming via other entities like a trust or LLC seems unclear so I would try setting up one even though they might still release the name behind the trust.

Reply #40

jerryb*49 — Sun, 08 Sep 2019 00:51:03 GMT

Just wondering what Illinois would do if I won since I subscribe online. Would they contact me immediately? Would they identify me before I came forward? Good problem to have I guess.

Reply #39

Artist77 — Sun, 14 Jul 2019 23:15:13 GMT

Thanks Coin Toss

Reply #38

Coin Toss — Sun, 14 Jul 2019 17:53:40 GMT

Artist77,

Very informative, thanks for posting this.

Reply #37

Artist77 — Sun, 14 Jul 2019 11:06:36 GMT

How are the state lottery rules double talk

Reply #36

Groppo — Sun, 14 Jul 2019 02:00:10 GMT

.

Thanks for posting. I looked through it. I found my state, and some others. It's just a bunch of double-talk

if you ask me. Should I ever win anything significant, we'll see.

Reply #35

Artist77 — Wed, 10 Jul 2019 22:03:40 GMT

Potentially Great news. The pending bill is already on the list.

I always laugh when the lottery officials speak of transparency since the biggest multi-state fraud was committed by a lottery employee.

Reply #34

music* — Wed, 10 Jul 2019 17:25:26 GMT

Artist77, Wisconsin could be the next State. There is good news about this on the Opening Home page. Thank You again

Reply #33

Artist77 — Sat, 06 Jul 2019 18:26:44 GMT

Please see updates for the Mississippi upcoming lottery and new entries for the 9 countries in the Viking lotto. No changes in terms in anonymity.

Thanks to Todd for adding my updates.

Reply #32

Artist77 — Sat, 29 Jun 2019 11:09:53 GMT

Just a FYI to all. I have been including the prior state lottery rule on anonymity as well if the state had some degree of anonymity, no matter how limited. This is because we are seeing a 2nd tier or wave of anonymity where a few states that had a limited degree of anonymity, chose to expand the original degree of anonymity.

Hopefully, we will see states like Virginia, with a minimum win of over $10 million for anonymity, lower that amount again due to increasing lottery sales.

Reply #31

Artist77 — Sat, 29 Jun 2019 00:00:25 GMT

Thank you Konane. It was a lot of effort, research, and hard work

Reply #30

konane — Fri, 28 Jun 2019 22:33:43 GMT

Great list Artist, thank you for compiling it.

Reply #29

Artist77 — Fri, 26 Apr 2019 00:51:23 GMT

This has been updated as of tonight. New info includes Canada, AZ, Euromillion countries and pending WI legislation. Thanks to Todd for adding in the info I sent.

Reply #28

Artist77 — Mon, 15 Apr 2019 23:52:10 GMT

It has been updated again as of today. NC, Iowa, Connecticut, and Australia .