(Californians) why don't we write to our state representatives to guarantee anonymity to winners?Prev Topic Next Topic

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occasion

California
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Mar 19, 2019, 3:45 am

I'm specifically thinking about PB and MM jackpot winners.

If we all threaten to never buy tickets again until they change the law, and we actually stop buying tickets, they will be FORCED to change this rule. They love our money too much.

Obviously, realistically, a lot of people will still buy tickets, but with a large drop of sales they will change the law for sure.

As far as I know, the US is the only country in the world that doesn't let you be anonymous (only in 6 states you can be anonymous). I'm sure they can find other ways to make sure the winners are "real" and not someone working for the lottery.

Even with a blind trust, LLC etc the name is still publicized. The California Lottery website says "You can form a trust prior to claiming your prize, but our regulations do not allow a trust to claim a prize. Understand that your name is still public and reportable".

How many stories of murder, harassment, burglary have we heard of over the years? And in any case, I think it's unfair that once we win our names are everywhere! Our phones keep ringing and people harass us.

In the 6 states that allow anonymity, I don't think that ticket sales have dropped, but I have no data to confirm this, I admit. PB seems "a little" better than MM because at least, unlike MM, it doesn't publish the photos of the winners on their homepage!

(In California) Who should we send the letters to? Ask your family and friends to write too, even if they don't play! Do you guys want to change this law too?
music*

Fresno, California
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Mar 19, 2019, 12:50 pm

I believe that Californian jackpot winners have more to fear from their own families and friends than they do from strangers.

Spend some of those millions on personal security.

Respectfully say NO to the Media Availability and the Celebrity Photo. Take down any photos of yourself on the web. Say NO to the Media and ignore them. They will go find another, "If it bleeds it leads story".

Go on vacation. You will be forgotten while you enjoy life. Californian winners have six weeks to wait for the check.

Keep in mind all the successful winners who are not in the news unless they want to be.

Slow everything down in your life.

"We are all in this together!"
occasion

California
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Mar 19, 2019, 5:22 pm

Yes, you're right. I'd do pretty much what you say.

It'd be SO EASY to change this law, though, if only other people would join me.
grwurston

100

Same #'s. Different games.

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Mar 19, 2019, 5:27 pm

While you guys are at it, you should tell them to get rid of the pari-mutuel payouts too. That way you don't get screwed like you do now if you hit the 2nd prize.
occasion

California
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Mar 19, 2019, 7:56 pm

It's not necessarily that bad. Last week's second prize was $2,722,725. Nobody hit it. Of course, if more than one person hits it, it's a different story.
grwurston

100

Same #'s. Different games.

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Mar 25, 2019, 7:59 pm

Quote: Originally posted by occasion on Mar 19, 2019
It's not necessarily that bad. Last week's second prize was $2,722,725. Nobody hit it. Of course, if more than one person hits it, it's a different story.

Also in the Saturday drawing, 101 tickets matched four white numbers plus the Powerball and won $50,000. Of those tickets, 13 were purchased with the Power Play option, increasing the prize to $150,000, and 12 of the tickets were sold in California, where the prize was worth $20,111 this drawing.

Not necessarily that bad... if you say so. Each winner could have had 50k, but only got 20k.

Plus, you guys never even had the option to possibly win 150k. Why?

Power Play is not available in California, because the fixed nature of the prize increase offered in Power Play is not compatible with California's pari-mutuel payouts.

Do you really like it better that way? Be honest.
Stack47

Kentucky
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Mar 25, 2019, 11:30 pm

California has around 30.5 million people 18 or over and about 11 million PB tickets were sold for Saturday's drawing. Even if 11 million people each bought one ticket that's still about 1/3 of the possible voting population. Not saying a law should or shouldn't be enacted just for potential jackpot winners, but probably not a priority for the majority of Cali voters.

Just saying.
noise-gate

* In hot pursuit of $ *

White Shores- California
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Mar 26, 2019, 10:18 am

l would agree with this thread, but we don't win either MM & PB jackpots often enough. Enough said.

* Voice of Reason *

* People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it- George Bernard Shaw.
occasion

California
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Mar 26, 2019, 5:21 pm

Quote: Originally posted by grwurston on Mar 25, 2019
Also in the Saturday drawing, 101 tickets matched four white numbers plus the Powerball and won $50,000. Of those tickets, 13 were purchased with the Power Play option, increasing the prize to $150,000, and 12 of the tickets were sold in California, where the prize was worth $20,111 this drawing.

Not necessarily that bad... if you say so. Each winner could have had 50k, but only got 20k.

Plus, you guys never even had the option to possibly win 150k. Why?

Power Play is not available in California, because the fixed nature of the prize increase offered in Power Play is not compatible with California's pari-mutuel payouts.

Do you really like it better that way? Be honest.

True. But someone hitting the second prize could have won $4,427,373. Tomorrow someone in California could get more than $5,000,000! Nowhere else that would be possible. So, yes, not NECESSARILY that bad for me (the key words are "necessarily" and "for me")

In any case, I'm mostly interested in the jackpot, a life-changing opportunity. $20k or $150k is a big difference but, at the same time, it doesn't change anything.
MsBee18

Florida
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Mar 26, 2019, 5:32 pm

Quote: Originally posted by grwurston on Mar 25, 2019
Also in the Saturday drawing, 101 tickets matched four white numbers plus the Powerball and won $50,000. Of those tickets, 13 were purchased with the Power Play option, increasing the prize to $150,000, and 12 of the tickets were sold in California, where the prize was worth $20,111 this drawing.

Not necessarily that bad... if you say so. Each winner could have had 50k, but only got 20k.

Plus, you guys never even had the option to possibly win 150k. Why?

Power Play is not available in California, because the fixed nature of the prize increase offered in Power Play is not compatible with California's pari-mutuel payouts.

Do you really like it better that way? Be honest.

If i won $20,111 instead of $50k I wouldn't feel like "oh bummer". Now lets say if I got 5+0 and won $200k instead of a million like most states. I might feel a little short changed, but I'd have to really be in the moment to tell. Fortunately the jackpot is the jackpot no difference there.
Stack47

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Mar 26, 2019, 5:36 pm

Quote: Originally posted by noise-gate on Mar 26, 2019
l would agree with this thread, but we don't win either MM & PB jackpots often enough. Enough said.

It appears some here believe there should be total anonymity, IE no checks on unpaid taxes, court orders, child support, or anything. And it seems they only apply it to large jackpot prizes when if it was done fairly, it should be all wins requiring a W-2G.

Some states have open information statues and Federally there is the freedom of information act that I suspect will be tested over Barr's report.