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smart player

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September 4, 2011
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Sep 15, 2011, 1:47 am

Hi everybody,

I had a list of 7 questions about the Texas State Lottery, so I emailed them; a week after I sent the email they responded. Although all the questions were answered, not all the answers were complete, or at least I didn't think so. I highlighted the portions that were not addressed.

List of questions

1. I know that Texas Lottery offers the limited privacy option to it's jackpot winners.

Exactly what is the limited privacy option and what does it involve?

What information about jackpot winners due you divulge and to whom?

2. I know that Texas Lottery allows it's jackpot winners to claim the prize via a blind trust, LLC, or LLP with a federal employee identification number.

But does the name of the trust's owner go on any of your records?

3. I know that your legal department must review the trust, LLC, or LLP documents prior to allowing such an entity to claim.

How long does that process take?

Would the managing attorney fax it to you for your approval or brought in person?

What types of things are you looking for when determining if the documents meet your approval?

4. I know that the Texas Lottery suggests that lottery tickets be signed immediately after purchase, especially after winning a jackpot.

But what would happen if a winning individual signed his or her name on the back of the ticket then wants a trust to claim the winnings - how would that be handled?

Does the address have to written on the back as well?

If a trust claims the prize then whose address goes on the back?

If a trust claims the prize EXACTLY how would you like that signature to look?

Does the name/address have to be written in both places on the back or is one good enough?

5. Are jackpot winners required by Texas Lottery to have their picture taken?

Are the winners or the person claiming the prize watched under surveillance video anytime during the claiming process?

6. How much time would a jackpot prize winner be expected to spend at your office during the claiming process?

Must the winner call first to set up an appointment or can they arrive unannounced?

Do you notify any form of media that a winner has an appointment to claim?

Does the media hang around your office after a big win?

7. Do you provide a list to jackpot winners of referred attorneys, financial advisors, or accountants?

Answers by Michelle Byrd, Communications Specialist at the Texas State Lottery in Austin, Texas

1. Under the Texas Public Information Act, a winner's name, hometown, the amount of their prize, the date of the drawing, the date the prize is claimed, whether the ticket is a Quick Pick or Self Selection of numbers, a cash value option or 25-year annuity, and where the ticket was sold is generally considered public information. That's why it has been the practice of the Texas Lottery Commission since the start to provide this information to the news media immediately after validating a top-prize winner. We also provide it to the public when requested by phone or in writing. The state lottery act does, however, prohibit the release of the winner's street address and phone number unless the winner consents to the release of that information in writing.

2. If a prize is claimed through a trust, all members of the trust must be listed and are subject to Open Records.

3. Claimants make an appointment when claiming a jackpot prize. If they are claiming by trust or partnership, our Legal Division requests all documentation in advance from their attorney.

4. The trustee should sign the ticket. An example below is how the ticket should be signed: John Smith, trustee for ABC Trust. If John Smith had already signed the ticket, we would have him complete a Claimant Designation form.

5. We take a picture of the claimant for our records. Publicity is optional. We have cameras in and around our building.

6. The process usually takes about four hours and we prefer claimants make an appointment.

7. No, we do not make any recommendations.
rdgrnr

100

The Hall Of The Mountain Kings Tennessee
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Sep 15, 2011, 2:28 am

Consider yourself lucky, smart player.

If I asked The Dragon Lady questions like that, there would be black helicopters swarming and shining floodlights all around my house every night for a week just to make sure that I get the message.
BobP

Dump Water Florida
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June 5, 2002
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Sep 15, 2011, 5:23 am

I guess there is no way the lottery could have foreseen scamsters finding the winner after not publishing the street address and phone number. If they applied the same level of security to the lottery building they'd lose their balls.

BobP
Todd

50

Chief Bottle Washer

New Jersey
United States
Member #1
May 31, 2000
27,936 Posts
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Sep 15, 2011, 7:14 am

Wow, that red text is hard to read.

Check the State Lottery Report Card
What grade did your lottery earn?

Sign the Petition for True Lottery Drawings
Help eliminate computerized drawings!
jackpotismine

Kunming
China
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January 23, 2008
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Sep 15, 2011, 7:23 am

Quote: Originally posted by Todd on Sep 15, 2011
Wow, that red text is hard to read.

I love red but dag! That's a bit much. Ha..ha.

I believe in Occam's razor:

The Simplest Answer is Usually Correct.
smart player

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Sep 16, 2011, 12:59 am

Quote: Originally posted by Todd on Sep 15, 2011
Wow, that red text is hard to read.

Sorry about all the red, but I like color and I thought it would be eye catching. I like my posts to look attractive.

Peace
smart player

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Sep 16, 2011, 1:37 am

IS

THIS

BETTER?
smart player

United States
Member #116,095
September 4, 2011
15 Posts
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Sep 16, 2011, 1:47 am

Quote: Originally posted by BobP on Sep 15, 2011

I guess there is no way the lottery could have foreseen scamsters finding the winner after not publishing the street address and phone number. If they applied the same level of security to the lottery building they'd lose their balls.

BobP

THAT'S HILARIOUS!
Coin Toss

Zeta Reticuli Star System
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January 17, 2006
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Sep 16, 2011, 2:56 am

Quote: Originally posted by jackpotismine on Sep 15, 2011
I love red but dag! That's a bit much. Ha..ha.

Oh the irony.........the color of numbers in your sig.

Those who run the lotteries love it when players look for consistency in something that's designed not to have any. So many systems, so many theories, so few jackpot winners.

There is one and only one 'proven' system, and that is to book the action. No matter the game, let the players pick their own losers.
Phoenix1017

Spring
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Sep 16, 2011, 6:44 pm

Thanks for posting this!
Piaceri

Republic of Texas
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January 9, 2008
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Sep 16, 2011, 10:24 pm

Interesting, but they are still a bit vague on their answers. I wonder why they did not answer completely. What is the big secret?

So, considering this answer:

"2. If a prize is claimed through a trust, all members of the trust must be listed and are subject to Open Records."

If you used a trust, LLC, or LFP (or any other legal entity) to form a trust/legal entity to claim a lottery prize, does it end there, or does the trust/entity member of the claiming trust have to be listed? Basically, does nesting legal entities to shield identity work?

Also, the limited privacy is a bit of a disappointment, if I am reading it right. At least you can control some of the data. I figure once the claiming entity has done its job, transfer the funds and dissolve the claiming entity.

It would be a big oh hell no on the photo. LOL. I did not see if the winner was required to stand in on the publicity announcement.

Thanks for the info, smart player. Maybe I'll send an email with questions, too.

singlewinnersinglewinnersinglewinner
smart player

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September 4, 2011
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Sep 17, 2011, 1:06 am

Quote: Originally posted by Piaceri on Sep 16, 2011
Interesting, but they are still a bit vague on their answers. I wonder why they did not answer completely. What is the big secret?

So, considering this answer:

"2. If a prize is claimed through a trust, all members of the trust must be listed and are subject to Open Records."

If you used a trust, LLC, or LFP (or any other legal entity) to form a trust/legal entity to claim a lottery prize, does it end there, or does the trust/entity member of the claiming trust have to be listed? Basically, does nesting legal entities to shield identity work?

Also, the limited privacy is a bit of a disappointment, if I am reading it right. At least you can control some of the data. I figure once the claiming entity has done its job, transfer the funds and dissolve the claiming entity.

It would be a big oh hell no on the photo. LOL. I did not see if the winner was required to stand in on the publicity announcement.

Thanks for the info, smart player. Maybe I'll send an email with questions, too.

Yeah, I thought it was strange how they avoided some parts of my questions. I feel that their lack of willingness to answer those question are very revealing.

If you email them questions please post on here; I would be curious about anything you find out.

If you have an attorney trustee (one you could trust with your life), then he or she could sign the ticket, claim the prize, and take the picture. If that trust's ONLY beneficiary and only owner listed is an LLC or FLC, then the true winner's name should not be revealed because an LLC and FLP are not subject to open records like a trust is. Since you are the owner of the LLC and the LLC owns the trust that owns the lottery winnings, well guess what...

Someone is going to have to work awfully hard to get your carefully guarded private information, and if they don't have to work as hard on the next big winner then that is who they will focus on, hopefully.

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