Compiling lists of states and claiming rules/anonymous, etc. Please add.Prev Topic Next Topic

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Artist77

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Jan 21, 2019, 10:30 am

Categories of claimant options: Feel free to add states. Let's develop a list.

1.) 100% automatically anonymous. See MD.

2.) 100% not anonymous. Claimant must be an individual only based on lottery rules. See VIRGINIA

3.) Claimant or anonymity issue not addressed in lottery rules. So trusts, etc. are an option for claiming. See DC and NH.

4.) Limited anonymity based on time and /or winning amount. Winner may remain anonymous for a specific period of time and/or above a specific $ amount. Texas?

5) Other.

If anyone wants to add a state to one of these categories, we can develop a comprehensive listing.

Do not raise your daughter to look for a knight. Raise her to use the sword herself.
oate

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Jan 21, 2019, 3:26 pm

California is in category 2

Wyoming: "We will honor requests for anonymity from winners. However, we certainly hope winners will allow us to share their names and good news with other players." Source: https://wyolotto.com/lottery/faq/

Oregon: "Certain information about Lottery prizes is public record, including the name of the winner, amount of the prize, date of the drawing, name of the game played and city in which the winning ticket was purchased. Oregon citizens have a right to know that Lottery prizes are indeed being awarded to real persons." Source: https://www.oregonlottery.org/about/public-interaction/commission-director/frequently-asked-questions However, an Iraqi man who bought an Oregon lottery ticket through a courier service successfully sued to stay anonymous arguing safety concerns.

Montana: "In Montana, by law, your name, the amount won and the town you're from is public information. The Montana Lottery cannot use a winner's name or photo for promotional purposes without the winner's written consent." Source: https://www.montanalottery.com/en/view/about-faqs

Only my hairdresser knows for sure.
Artist77

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Jan 21, 2019, 3:37 pm

Quote: Originally posted by oate on Jan 21, 2019
California is in category 2

Wyoming: "We will honor requests for anonymity from winners. However, we certainly hope winners will allow us to share their names and good news with other players." Source: https://wyolotto.com/lottery/faq/

Oregon: "Certain information about Lottery prizes is public record, including the name of the winner, amount of the prize, date of the drawing, name of the game played and city in which the winning ticket was purchased. Oregon citizens have a right to know that Lottery prizes are indeed being awarded to real persons." Source: https://www.oregonlottery.org/about/public-interaction/commission-director/frequently-asked-questions However, an Iraqi man who bought an Oregon lottery ticket through a courier service successfully sued to stay anonymous arguing safety concerns.

Montana: "In Montana, by law, your name, the amount won and the town you're from is public information. The Montana Lottery cannot use a winner's name or photo for promotional purposes without the winner's written consent." Source: https://www.montanalottery.com/en/view/about-faqs

Thank you Oate. Exactly what I needed. Perfection. After this thread is up for a bit, I will compile everything into a chart.

Do not raise your daughter to look for a knight. Raise her to use the sword herself.
Murgatroyd

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Jan 21, 2019, 7:36 pm

Arizona: "Beginning Friday, July 3, 2015, the names of persons or legally formed entities that are paid lottery prizes or winnings of $600 or more are confidential for 90 days from the date the prize is awarded and are not a public record during this 90-day period. Information regarding the prize winner's city and county of residence is not confidential. A prize winner may waive the confidentiality provisions by voluntarily consenting to the disclosure of the prize winner's name."
Artist77

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Jan 21, 2019, 8:35 pm

Quote: Originally posted by Murgatroyd on Jan 21, 2019
Arizona: "Beginning Friday, July 3, 2015, the names of persons or legally formed entities that are paid lottery prizes or winnings of $600 or more are confidential for 90 days from the date the prize is awarded and are not a public record during this 90-day period. Information regarding the prize winner's city and county of residence is not confidential. A prize winner may waive the confidentiality provisions by voluntarily consenting to the disclosure of the prize winner's name."

Perfect. Thank you Murgatroyd.

Do not raise your daughter to look for a knight. Raise her to use the sword herself.
konane

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Jan 21, 2019, 8:48 pm

Georgia - Winnings above $250,000 can be kept anonymous provided winner requests to do so. 05/12/2018

There are other lotteries listed at that link if that may help your list. Good luck

https://www.stl.news/georgia-governor-signs-bill-allowing-lottery-winners-remain-anonymous/121962/

Have fun and the best of luck to everyone!
Artist77

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Jan 21, 2019, 9:02 pm

Quote: Originally posted by konane on Jan 21, 2019
Georgia - Winnings above $250,000 can be kept anonymous provided winner requests to do so. 05/12/2018

There are other lotteries listed at that link if that may help your list. Good luck

https://www.stl.news/georgia-governor-signs-bill-allowing-lottery-winners-remain-anonymous/121962/

Thank you Konane. Perfect.

Do not raise your daughter to look for a knight. Raise her to use the sword herself.
oate

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Jan 21, 2019, 10:31 pm

Washington: "As a public agency, all documents held by Washington's Lottery are subject to the Public Records Act. Lottery prizes may be claimed in the name of a legally formed entity, such as a trust. However, in the event of a public records request, the documents forming the artificial entity may be released, thereby revealing the individual names of winners." Source: https://walottery.com/ClaimYourPrize/

Idaho: "Since your name, prize amount
and town of residence is public information, the Idaho Lottery will
release this information to anyone who requests it; not just the press."

"Idaho Lottery may use the name, city, and
photograph of winners in any Idaho Lottery promotional campaign. Any
exceptions to this rule must be submitted to the Idaho Lottery Director
in writing for approval. Players may submit a letter to the Idaho Lottery
Director requesting to have no publicity on their win. In doing so, players
are encouraged to list their rationale for requesting no publicity."

Source: Page 12 https://www.idaholottery.com/images/uploads/general/winnersguideweb.pdf

Colorado: Contradictory information. On https://www.coloradolottery.com/en/about/faqs/ it says "Can I claim a prize through a trust? The Colorado Lottery does not recognize trusts, partnerships or corporations as winners of Lottery prizes. Once an individual has claimed a prize, they can open a trust, partnership or corporation."

"Can I remain anonymous when I claim a prize? If you win on a ticket in Colorado, it is considered part of the Colorado Open Records Act. This means that your first name and first initial of your last name goes onto the Colorado Lottery website. Having your photo taken is optional."

Yet, on https://denver.cbslocal.com/2016/01/15/in-colorado-and-other-states-lottery-winners-can-keep-names-secret/ it says "A growing number of other states, including Colorado, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont, will award prizes to a trust and allow a trustee — usually an attorney — to collect without disclosing the name of the ticket holder."

Only my hairdresser knows for sure.
adulane62

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Jan 21, 2019, 10:35 pm

Intersting topic Artist77!

Searching "Can Colorado jackpot winners remain anonymous?" brought in the following article from January 15, 2016. A bit outdated perhaps, but still...

https://denver.cbslocal.com/2016/01/15/in-colorado-and-other-states-lottery-winners-can-keep-names-secret/

"Even a jackpot isn’t enough to buy anonymity for many lottery winners, whose names are often made public by state law.

But now it’s becoming increasingly possible for big winners to hide their identity, and lottery executives are trying to strike a balance between ensuring privacy and safety while still proving to the public that real people can win.

Jackpot winners “get a big old target painted on their backs,” said Andrew Stoltmann, an Illinois attorney who has represented winners. When their names are released “they get harassed and harangued into some horrifically bad investments.”

Forcing people to reveal their names, he added, is like “throwing meat into a shark-infested ocean.”

On the other hand, allowing winners to collect jackpots in secret invites public suspicion and makes it easier for cheating to go undetected, according to gambling experts and others.

The three states with Powerball winners from Wednesday’s record $1.6 billion drawing — California, Florida and Tennessee — require winners to disclose their names, which is the policy of most states that play the game.

Delaware, Kansas, Maryland, North Dakota, Ohio and South Carolina allow winners to remain anonymous. A growing number of other states, including Colorado, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont, will award prizes to a trust and allow a trustee — usually an attorney — to collect without disclosing the name of the ticket holder.

States including Illinois and Oregon have made exceptions to their policy of disclosure when winners demonstrate a high risk of harm.

Bills to keep lottery winners names confidential failed in North Carolina and New York in the last few years. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie in 2013 vetoed a bill that called for a one-year delay in releasing names, saying it could reduce lottery sales by hampering marketing and muting public excitement when winners are announced. Similar measures have also been introduced in Arizona, Pennsylvania and Texas.

Advocates of privacy cite cases in which winners saw their lives upended after their wealth became widely known.

One example cited by Don McNay, a Richmond, Kentucky, financial adviser who also has represented lottery winners, is Abraham Shakespeare, a Lakeland, Florida, janitor won a cash payout of $17 million in the Florida lottery in 2006.

Shakespeare appeared before cameras with family members, holding an oversized check. He had spent or given away most of his prize by the time he met Dorice Dee Dee Moore in late 2008. She tracked him down, befriended him and within a few months became his financial adviser, with control over his remaining money and his home.

Shakespeare disappeared in April 2009 at age 42. His body was found nine months later, encased in concrete and buried behind the home of Moore’s ex-boyfriend. Shakespeare had been shot twice in the chest. The 44-year-old Moore, convicted of his murder, is serving a life prison sentence [...].

Ouch!

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Redd55

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Jan 22, 2019, 4:37 am

Quote: Originally posted by oate on Jan 21, 2019
California is in category 2

Wyoming: "We will honor requests for anonymity from winners. However, we certainly hope winners will allow us to share their names and good news with other players." Source: https://wyolotto.com/lottery/faq/

Oregon: "Certain information about Lottery prizes is public record, including the name of the winner, amount of the prize, date of the drawing, name of the game played and city in which the winning ticket was purchased. Oregon citizens have a right to know that Lottery prizes are indeed being awarded to real persons." Source: https://www.oregonlottery.org/about/public-interaction/commission-director/frequently-asked-questions However, an Iraqi man who bought an Oregon lottery ticket through a courier service successfully sued to stay anonymous arguing safety concerns.

Montana: "In Montana, by law, your name, the amount won and the town you're from is public information. The Montana Lottery cannot use a winner's name or photo for promotional purposes without the winner's written consent." Source: https://www.montanalottery.com/en/view/about-faqs

California is in category 2

Oh, it's worse. California flashes winners name and photo, if they get it, on computer terminals where ever lottery tickets are sold for years.
CDanaT

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Jan 22, 2019, 7:19 am

Tennessee: Anonymity not allowed, Photos & Press Conference not mandatory.

http://www.tnlottery.com/sites/default/files/2018-10/Policy%203.1%20%20Drawing-Style%20Game%20Rules%2010-31-17.pdf

Page 3(C) Determination of prize winner:

A Claim Form shall be filed in the name of a single legal entity as Claimant, either one individual or one organization. Multiple payees are not permitted. Groups, family units, clubs or organizations shall designate in writing one individual or entity to receive any prize.

Page 8(N) Release of information about winners:

A prize winner’s name, city, county, and state of residence and the amount of the prize won shall be regarded as matters of public record which may be released by the TEL. The TEL shall not release the street address or telephone number of a prize winner, except as may be required pursuant to lawful authority or urgent necessity

Si vis pacem, para bellum.
Artist77

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Jan 22, 2019, 7:29 pm

Quote: Originally posted by CDanaT on Jan 22, 2019
Tennessee: Anonymity not allowed, Photos & Press Conference not mandatory.

http://www.tnlottery.com/sites/default/files/2018-10/Policy%203.1%20%20Drawing-Style%20Game%20Rules%2010-31-17.pdf

Page 3(C) Determination of prize winner:

A Claim Form shall be filed in the name of a single legal entity as Claimant, either one individual or one organization. Multiple payees are not permitted. Groups, family units, clubs or organizations shall designate in writing one individual or entity to receive any prize.

Page 8(N) Release of information about winners:

A prize winner’s name, city, county, and state of residence and the amount of the prize won shall be regarded as matters of public record which may be released by the TEL. The TEL shall not release the street address or telephone number of a prize winner, except as may be required pursuant to lawful authority or urgent necessity

Great info cdana. Thanks.

Do not raise your daughter to look for a knight. Raise her to use the sword herself.
LottoLucy

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Jan 27, 2019, 8:26 pm

Quote: Originally posted by Artist77 on Jan 21, 2019
Categories of claimant options: Feel free to add states. Let's develop a list.

1.) 100% automatically anonymous. See MD.

2.) 100% not anonymous. Claimant must be an individual only based on lottery rules. See VIRGINIA

3.) Claimant or anonymity issue not addressed in lottery rules. So trusts, etc. are an option for claiming. See DC and NH.

4.) Limited anonymity based on time and /or winning amount. Winner may remain anonymous for a specific period of time and/or above a specific $ amount. Texas?

5) Other.

If anyone wants to add a state to one of these categories, we can develop a comprehensive listing.

I think Michigan is #5. Michigan only games like their lotto game can be claimed anonymously but if you win a multi-state game like Powerball there is no anonymity.

The Ohio lottery has told me you can only claim their lottery anonymously if you claimed with a blind trust. Here is a recent article written by an attorney who represented a winner. I’m not 100% sure if what he did is considered a blind trust or not: https://www.altickcorwin.com/Articles/How-To-Claim-Lottery-Winnings-Anonymously.shtml

Great idea Artist! Also, I am keeping my fingers crossed that VA goes full on anonymous!

Lotto Lucy
Artist77

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Jan 27, 2019, 8:38 pm

Quote: Originally posted by LottoLucy on Jan 27, 2019
I think Michigan is #5. Michigan only games like their lotto game can be claimed anonymously but if you win a multi-state game like Powerball there is no anonymity.

The Ohio lottery has told me you can only claim their lottery anonymously if you claimed with a blind trust. Here is a recent article written by an attorney who represented a winner. I’m not 100% sure if what he did is considered a blind trust or not: https://www.altickcorwin.com/Articles/How-To-Claim-Lottery-Winnings-Anonymously.shtml

Great idea Artist! Also, I am keeping my fingers crossed that VA goes full on anonymous!

Very interesting Lotto Lucy. I have always mentioned I thought 2 trusts would be needed but those trusts were not blind trusts and the article ones are regular trusts, unless I missed something. A blind trust just allows someone else to manage and make decisions about your money and you have no control so I would not recommend one for a lottery win. You do not need a blind trust. One trust to allow the counsel to represent and claim and another one to deposit it. The Ohio people are wrong about blind trusts. If you can use a trust there to claim, then simple ones are fine. Isn't Ohio one of the anonymous states?

The big point was that the attorney whited out the signature of the winner who signed it. I posted in the New Hamphire matter thread asking why didn't the attorney just write over the winner's signature. I would assume this could and should be done for any state where you can claim via a trust.

Yea, I am getting my hopes up for VA.

Do not raise your daughter to look for a knight. Raise her to use the sword herself.
CDanaT

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Jan 28, 2019, 8:07 am
Maine Lottery Rules:

SECTION 17. PRIZE PAYMENT AND CLAIMING PRIZES
1. Direct payment of prizes. All instant prizes of $100 or less must be paid directly by instant ticket agents, and all instant and on-line ticket prizes up to $599 must be paid directly by the on-line agents. Instant ticket agents may pay instant ticket prizes up to $599. The claimant shall present the winning ticket to an agent, fill out the claimant’s name and address on the back of the ticket and show identification. The agent, after examining the ticket, confirming that it has not been altered and verifying that the ticket is a valid winning ticket, shall pay the claimant directly.
2. 2. Payment of other prizes. All other prizes must be paid from State Lottery Headquarters, either in person to the claimant, or by means of a mailed-in claim form from a claimant. The claimant shall send the winning ticket and a completed claim form according to procedures specified by the director to State Lottery Headquarters for verification. The claimant is responsible for retaining a copy of the claim for the claimant’s records. The State Lottery is not responsible for tickets lost or misdelivered during the course of mailing. Upon receipt of the winning ticket and its verification as a winning ticket, the State Lottery shall send the prize to the claimant by mail.
3. 3. Multiple winners. More than one person may claim an interest in a winning ticket. Prize payment warrants may be made out to multiple payees if each payee signs an appropriate document acknowledging the right of all other payees to a share of the winning ticket and prize and agreeing to hold the State Lottery harmless from liability.
4. Claim a prize Section: For a group claiming a prize If a group of persons is claiming a winning ticket, each person in the group must complete a claim form. When submitting a winning ticket for claiming as a group, please also indicate how the prize will be divided among the winners. Each winner will receive a check and each person will receive a W-2G tax form at the end of the year for their share of the prize.
No mandatory public appearance is required. No anonymity
Si vis pacem, para bellum.