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Lottery state chart/anonymity and claimantsPrev TopicNext Topic
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I have been working on this off and on for a while and it is a work in progress. It is not meant to serve as legal opinion or legal advice. Feel free to send me info to add if something elaborates on the anonymity or other entity claiming issues. Prepared by Artist77.
ANONYMITY FOR INDIVIDUALS/ WHAT ENTITIES CAN CLAIM?/NEWS
Updated June 20, 2024
UNITED STATES
ALABAMA No lottery. 3-19-2019 State Sen. Jim McClendon of Springville announced he is introducing legislation to set up an Alabama lottery. Source: https://www.al.com/news/2019/03/alabama-senator-to-announce-lottery-plan-today.html Also , as of 4-4-2019, "Sen. Greg Albritton, R-Range, filed a lottery bill this week that would establish a state lottery and limit it to paper-based games..." Source: https://www.lotterypost.com/news/326351
ALASKA No lottery. There is no official, statewide lottery in Alaska, but the state may issue permits for certain games of chance. These include bingo, raffles, pull-tab games, even fishing derbies and mushing sweepstakes. Online gambling remains illegal in Alaska, but a 2012 law allows gaming activities to be promoted online. Source: https://statelaws.findlaw.com/alaska-law/alaska-state-lotteries-laws.html
ARIZONA Anonymous for all wins of $100,000 and over as of 4-18-2019.
Source: https://www.lotterypost.com/news/326549
Prior Rule: Anonymous for all legal entities for 90 days and prizes over $600. "If I win the jackpot, can I remain anonymous? The names of persons or legally formed entities that are paid lottery prizes or winnings of $600 or more are held confidential for 90 days from the date the prize is awarded and are not a public record during that period. Information regarding the prize winner's city and county of residence is not confidential. A prize winner may voluntarily consent to the disclosure of their name. Can a blind trust collect winnings? The Arizona Lottery will not accept a blind trust as Arizona Revised Statutes § 5-5-575 requires the Lottery to ensure that any Lottery winner does not owe the state a debt, which must be set off against the Lottery prize." Source: https://www.arizonalottery.com/frequently-asked-questions/
ARKANSAS Anonymous. On April 25, 2021, Senate Bill 355 was signed, allowing all lottery winners of $500,000 or more to remain confidential for a period of three years. The only exception is that elected officials who claim such a prize anonymously will have their information disclosed to the public six months after claiming the prize.
CALIFORNIA Not anonymous/only individuals can claim. The name and location of the retailer who sold you the winning ticket, the date you won and the amount of your winnings are also matters of public record and are subject to disclosure. 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. Source: https://static.www.calottery.com/-/media/Project/calottery/PWS/PDFs/Winners-Handbook-1127-FINAL.pdf?rev=063742082ac341edb235c46201337f4c&hash=D86CB12F918C75BAD5FFA01CDA358238 Press conference may be optional per page 2 of the winners handbook. "With that in mind, we urge you to consider taking part in media availability. We'll take care of everything along the way by planning and guiding you through the media process. Winners have been better able to satisfy these media requests in one shot and get on with their lives."
COLORADO Not anonymous/other entities unclear. As part of the Open Records Act, we are required to release to the public your name, hometown, amount you won and the game you played. This information will be posted on coloradolottery.com and will be furnished to media upon request.
You will be interviewed by the Colorado Lottery Media Relations team and a press release will be distributed to local media outlets. You may also be asked to participate in a press conference to answer questions directly from reporters. Our Media Relations team will work closely with you to ensure your comfort with the process. You'll be asked to have your picture taken which will appear on our "Wall of Winners," our website, and our Facebook and Twitter social media outlets. Source: https://www.coloradolottery.com/en/games/lotto/claim-winnings/CONNECTICUT Not Anonymous/Anonymous via a trust or LLC, "Publicizing that "real people" really win is important in maintaining the public's trust in our games, therefore, the CT Lottery routinely lists its winners and posts winner stories on its website and social media pages. Certain information about our winners is public information: Winner's name and place of residence, date of claim, game played, prize amount won, and the selling retailer's name and location. A winner's home or street address and phone number is never published, and will not be disclosed unless required by law." While most winners claim prizes using their individual names, some winners come forward using other legal entities (i.e., trusts, business partnership) to claim their prizes. In those instances, the Lottery will promote the win using that legal entity's name. For more information about such instances, please consult your personal accountant or legal advisor. Source: https://www.ctlottery.org/Content/winner_publicity.aspx
DELAWARE 100% anonymous if you choose this option. "Many winners have chosen to remain anonymous, as allowed by state law, but their excitement is yours to share!" Source: https://www.delottery.com/Winners and https://www.delottery.com/FAQs
DC Not anonymous/Anonymous possible via a trust or LLC. Anonymous question is not directly answered on lottery website. "In the District of Columbia, specific lottery winner information is public record." However, a Powerball Jackpot win was claimed via a LLC in 2009. Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/04/AR2009050402008.html
FLORIDA Anonymous for first 90 days. In 2022, Florida law changed to allow winners of $250,000 or more to be temporarily exempt from public disclosure for 90 days from the date the prize is claimed, unless otherwise waived by the winner. Florida Lottery - Frequently Asked Questions (Look under "Can Lottery winners remain anonymous?")
GEORGIA Anonymous. Lottery winners with prizes over $250,000 can keep their identity secret upon request. 5-12-2018 Georgia Governor signs bill allowing lottery winners to remain anonymous. Source: https://www.lotterypost.com/news/320321
Groups: "If you decide to play in a group, prizes may be claimed by a single legal entity, such as a corporation, partnership or trust. Groups, families, clubs or organizations can designate one individual or legal entity to receive a prize payment, or if the prize amount won is $5,001 or greater, individual prize payments (of $601 or greater) can be made to each group member, up to 25 members." Source: https://www.galottery.com/en-us/player-zone/player-faqs.html
HAWAII No lottery.
IDAHO Not anonymous. Claimants or anonymity is not discussed on lottery website. But in 2005, the Idaho Lottery Commission denied Brad Dukes request to remain anonymous: "Idaho Lottery Commission officials had denied his request to remain anonymous, arguing that state law and the integrity of the lottery required that his name be made public to show he had no ties to lottery employees or vendors." Source: https://www.lotterypost.com/news/114909
ILLINOIS Anonymous. In 2018, legislation was signed into law allowing winners of lottery prizes $250,000 or more to remain anonymous. The Illinois Lottery Winner's Handbook summarizes the procedure and limitations of anonymity as follows: "If your prize is $250,000 or more, at the time of claiming the prize, you may submit a written request on the Illinois Lottery Claim form to keep your name and city of residence confidential from public disclosure. However, the Illinois Lottery may release your name and city of residence pursuant to an Illinois Freedom of Information Act request or if legally mandated to do so." Source: https://www.lotterypost.com/media/Illinois_Lottery_Winners_Handbook_August_2018.pdf
INDIANA Appears to be anonymous via a LLC. Anonymity or who can claim is not addressed on lottery website. But the "Powerball winner from February 22nd has chosen to remain anonymous after coming forward to claim their jackpot of $435.3 million. Indiana is one of the few states which allows players to remain private after a big win, and the lucky ticket holder has set up a limited liability corporation to receive their money." Source: https://www.lotterypost.com/news/311296
IOWA Not Anonymous. "When you win an Iowa Lottery prize of $600 or more, you have to fill out a winner claim form that includes your name, address and Social Security number before you can claim your winnings. Iowa law makes the information on that claim form public, meaning that anyone can request a copy of the form to see who has won the prize. We redact sensitive information, such as your Social Security number, from the form before we release it, but all other details are considered public information under Iowa law (Iowa Code Section 99G.34(5)." "The winner claim form states in part: "By signing this claim form, I authorize the Iowa lottery Authority to use my name and likeness for any publicity purposes that it deems desirable." Also, "The Lottery will redact your Social Security number on this claim form. The remaining information is used for research and publicity purposes and will be made available to members of the public." Source: https://www.ialotteryblog.com/2008/11/can-prize-winne.html
For group play, "Prizes can be paid to players who play as a group. A check can be written to an entity such as a trust or to a single individual." Source: https://ialottery.com/pages/Games/ClaimingPrizes.aspx
KANSAS Anonymous. Can choose to remain anonymous. "Kansas is one of a handful of states that does not have this requirement. If you win a prize in Kansas, you may request that your identity not be released publicly." Source: https://www.kslottery.com/faqs#faq-8
KENTUCKY Anonymous appears to be an option. Anonymity or who can claim is not addressed on lottery website. But multiple instances of winners claiming anonymously have been reported in the news. "Kentucky Lottery spokesman Chip Polson said the $1 million Powerball winner claimed the prize on May 15 and the Mega Million winner claimed the prize on May 12. He confirmed that both players wanted their identity to remain a secret." Source: https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/2017/05/19/two-1-million-lottery-winners-who-bought-tickets-louisville-want-privacy/101870414/
LOUISIANA Not anonymous/other entities unclear. "Under the Lottery's statute, all prize payment records are open records, meaning that the public has a right to request the information. Depending upon the amount won and public or media interest in the win, winners may NOT be able to remain anonymous. The statute also allows the Lottery to use winners' names and city of residence for publicity purposes such as news releases. The Lottery's regular practice is not to use winner information in paid advertising or product promotion without the winner's willingness to participate. Source: https://louisianalottery.com/faq/easy-5#35
MAINE Not anonymous/Anonymous possible via a trust or LLC. Whether or not a winner can claim a jackpot anonymously is not addressed on the lottery website. But a lottery winner in 2012 was given a 5 day anonymous period. Also, in a 2018 new story Maine Lottery Director of Operations Michael Boardman was quoted, explaining that a winner in Maine could technically remain anonymous by claiming under a trust. "What a winner could do in Maine is they could file their claim in the name of a trust, and the trust becomes the winner. So that's how a winner could claim their ticket anonymously," [Boardman said].
MARYLAND Anonymous. Can a winner remain anonymous. "Yes, you can. When we meet with winners who claim prizes at our Baltimore office, we encourage them to embrace the moment and celebrate by posing for a photo that we can publish. However, anyone who wins a prize on a Maryland Lottery draw game ticket or scratch-off ticket has the right to remain anonymous. We do not release any such winner's name or photo unless the winner has specifically given us written consent to do so.
Please note that this anonymity protection does not apply to second-chance and Points for Drawings contests run through the My Lottery Rewards program. Those contests are run as promotions for the Lottery. As such, they are operated under a different set of rules than our draw games and scratch-off games. The rules of participating in our second-chance and Points for Drawings contests state that winners' identities are published." Source: https://www.mdlottery.com/about-us/faqs/MASSACHUSETTS Not Anonymous. "Lottery regulations state that a claimant's name, city or town, image, amount of prize, claim date and game are public record. Therefore, photographs may be taken and used to publicize winnings." Source: https://masslottery.com/faq
MICHIGAN Anonymous claiming for state games only (not PB and MM) and wins over $10,000 per lottery website. "Winner Anonymity. Michigan law requires written consent before disclosing the identity of the winner of $10,000 or more from the State lottery games Lotto47 and Fantasy 5. You understand and agree that your identity may be disclosed as the winner of a prize under $10,000. You further understand and agree that your identity may be disclosed, and that disclosure may be required, as the winner of any prize from the multi-state games Powerball and Mega Millions." Source: https://www.michiganlottery.com/games/mega-millions
Various news articles reference anonymous claiming by winners. $1 million dollar scratch off winner chose to remain anonymous. Source: https://www.lotterypost.com/news/113593 Also see, per a 2015 news article, "More than a decade ago, the state instituted a provision to award winners the option to remain anonymous if they win $10,000 or more. But the current opt-out only applies to winners of $10,000 or more games in Michigan's state lottery. Franz wants the anonymity to extend to the national big-ticket, multistate items like Mega Millions, Powerball, or Lucky For Life jackpots." Source: https://www.thedailybeast.com/michigan-lottery-winners-go-into-hiding
MINNESOTA Anonymous. A bill passed through the Minnesota Legislature unanimously and subsequently signed by Gov. Tim Walz allows winners of lottery prizes $10,000 and more (including second-chance prizes) to keep their identities from the public record starting Sept. 1, 2021. Source: https://www.lotterypost.com/news/336853
MISSISSIPPI Anonymous. In accordance with the Alyce G. Clarke Mississippi Lottery Law, the Mississippi Lottery will not disclose the identity of the person holding a winning lottery ticket without that person's written permission." Source: https://www.mslotteryhome.com/players/faqs/
MISSOURI Anonymous. A bill passed unanimously in the Missouri House and Senate, and signed into law on June 29, 2021, makes it a misdemeanor crime for the Missouri Lottery to publicly release identifying information about winners, punishable by up to a year in jail (for the Lottery official or contractor in question) and a fine of $2,000. Source: https://www.lotterypost.com/news/337369
MONTANA Anonymous. Legislation signed into law by Gov. Greg Gianforte on March 31, 2021 allows lottery winners in the state of Montana to remain anonymous. The lottery only releases the towns were the major prizes were won, the amounts won, the game played and the name of the retailer that sold the ticket. https://www.lotterypost.com/news/336528
NEBRASKA Not anonymous/LLC option. Anonymity or who can claim is not addressed on lottery website but a winner created a legal entity to claim anonymously in 2014. "Nebraska Lottery spokesman Neil Watson said with the help of a Kearney lawyer, the winner or winners have created a legal entity called Carpe Diem LLC." Source: https://journalstar.com/news/state-and-regional/nebraska/m-nebraska-powerball-winner-to-remain-anonymous/article_a044d0f0-99a7-5302-bcb9-2ce799b3a798.html
NEVADA No lottery.
NEW HAMPSHIRE Anonymous claiming possible via a trust. Anonymity or who can claim is not addressed on lottery website but a winner successfully sued the lottery and won the right to remain anonymous in 2018. Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2018/03/12/winner-of-a-560-million-powerball-jackpot-can-keep-the-money-and-her-secret-judge-rules/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.bec2db2f7d2c
NEW JERSEY Anonymous: On Jan. 21, 2020, New Jersey's law allowing lottery winners to remain anonymous was signed. Source: https://www.lotterypost.com/news/330670
NEW MEXICO Not anonymous. Winners of $10,000 or more will have name, city, game played, and prize amount and photo on website. Source: https://www.nmlottery.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Winner-Publicity-Policy-060107.pdf
NEW YORK Not anonymous/anonymous via a LLC. Anonymity or who can claim is not addressed on lottery website but per Gov. Cuomo: "For the past 40 years, individuals wishing to keep their name and information out of the public view have created LLCs to collect their winnings for them." Gov. Coumo vetoed lottery anonymity bill. Source: https://nypost.com/2018/12/09/cuomo-vetoes-bill-allowing-lotto-winners-to-remain-anonymous/
NORTH CAROLINA Not Anonymous. North Carolina law allows lottery winners' identity to remain confidential only if they have an active protective order against someone or participate in the state's Address Confidentiality Program for victims of domestic violence, sexual offense, stalking or human trafficking. Source: https://nclottery.com/faq, Statute: https://www.ncleg.net/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/PDF/ByChapter/Chapter_18C.pdf
NORTH DAKOTA Anonymous. Winners have the option to release their information or to remain anonymous. Source: https://www.lottery.nd.gov/public/winners/
OHIO Not anonymous/possible trust option for anonymity/voluntary press release identification. Anonymity or who can claim is not addressed on lottery website but appears to have an anonymous option. "The procedure from there was a little cumbersome. I needed to create two separate trusts. One trust was to appoint me, as the trustee on behalf of the winner, to contact the Lottery Commission and accept the Lottery winnings. The secondary trust was set up for me as trustee of the first trust, to transfer the proceeds to the second trust with the winner as the beneficiary. This enabled me to present the ticket, accept the proceeds, and transfer it to the winner with no public record or disclosure." Source: https://www.altickcorwin.com/Articles/How-To-Claim-Lottery-Winnings-Anonymously.shtml. Although there are no laws requiring the lottery to keep winners' names secret, the Ohio Lottery does afford winners the ability to prevent their last name, first name, or both from press releases, and does not require their face to appear in photographs. Source: https://www.lotterypost.com/news/351067
OKLAHOMA Not anonymous/other entities undetermined. In accordance with the Oklahoma Open Records Act and the Oklahoma Education Lottery Act, the name of any individual, corporation, partnership, unincorporated association, limited liability company, or other legal entity, and their city of residence will be made public. It is important for the public to know the lottery is run honestly. This way the public can be reassured that the prize was won by a real person.
OREGON Not anonymous. "Nope. There are just a handful of lotteries in the U.S. that do allow winners to remain anonymous. In 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." Source: https://www.oregonlottery.org/about/help/ However in 2015, "an Iraq citizen has claimed the Oregon Lottery jackpot of $6.4 million but has been forced to keep his life-changing win a secret as he fears it will put him in danger in his home country." Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3353432/Man-living-Iraq-wins-6-4-million-Oregon-jackpot.html
PENNSYLVANIA Not anonymous and subject to state public disclosure rules upon request. However, the lottery website only lists the last initial of last name: "In Pennsylvania, certain winner information is considered a public record. The Lottery also publishes online lists of winners of $1,000 or more that include the following: First name, Last initial of the winner(s), County of residence, Name of game won, Date of win, Prize amount. Under the State Lottery Law, legal entities (such as trusts) are permitted to file prize claims and receive prize funds." Source 1, Source 2
3-12-2018 Pennsylvania lottery winner fights state law to remain anonymous. https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2018/03/12/lottery-winners-privacy-identity/
RHODE ISLAND Not anonymous/Anonymous if requested but all info is subject to FOIA. "While the Lottery will do everything possible to keep a winner's information private if requested by the winner, in Rhode Island and most other states, this information falls under the Freedom of Information Act, and a winner's name and city or town of residency must be released upon request." Source: https://www.rilot.com/en-us/player-zone/faqs.html
SOUTH CAROLINA Anonymous. Anonymity or who can claim is not addressed on lottery website but appears to have an anonymous option based on prior winners. Source: https://myfox8.com/2019/03/15/the-anonymous-south-carolina-winner-of-the-largest-lottery-jackpot-is-donating-part-of-it-to-alabama-tornado-victims/. The $1.5 billion Mega Millions winner from 2016 has continued to remain anonymous to this day, even after appearing in a trial that garnered national attention: https://www.lotterypost.com/news/342062
SOUTH DAKOTA Not Anonymous for online games. "You can remain anonymous on any amount won from a scratch ticket game. Jackpots for online games are required to be public knowledge. Play It Again winners are also public knowledge." Source: https://lottery.sd.gov/FAQ2018/gamefaq.aspx "The sponsor of a bill that would have allowed some lottery winners to remain anonymous has withdrawn the bill.
Rep. Oren Lesmeister, D-Parade, said Wednesday that he brought the bill on behalf of a constituent. The bill would have allowed people who won prizes of more than $50,000 to remain anonymous. Currently, like most states, South Dakota identifies lottery winners." 3-13-19 Source: https://www.argusleader.com/story/news/2019/02/13/names-south-dakota-lottery-winners-remain-public/2862787002/TENNESSEE Not anonymous/Can use a trust but info subject to open records act. Anonymity or who can claim is not addressed on lottery website but there are various online sources that appear to be quoting the TN lottery. "The TN lottery says: "When claiming a Lottery prize through a Trust, the TN Lottery would need identity documentation for the grantor and all ultimate beneficiaries. Once we are in possession of these documents and information, records are generated. If a formal request is made by a citizen of Tennessee, the Trust beneficiary's name, city and state must be made available under the Tennessee Open Records Act." Source: https://www.avvo.com/legal-answers/in-tennessee--can-a-lottery-jackpot-be-claimed-whi-2327592.html
TEXAS Anonymous for $1 million or more. The 85th regular legislative session enacted HB 59 authorizing certain prize winners who win lottery prizes in the amount of $1 million or more to choose to remain anonymous. In addition, Texas Lottery Commission (TLC) Rule §401.324 governs the nondisclosure of personally identifiable information (Information that alone or in conjunction with other information identifies an individual: name, social security number, date of birth, or government-issued ID number such as driver's license or passport. It does not include the name of the prize winner's city or county of residence.) of certain lottery prize winners. HB 59 and TLC Rule §401.324 apply to lottery winner claims submitted on or after January 1, 2018.
Who is Eligible to Remain Anonymous:
- A natural person (individual) who is a winner of a lottery prize of $1 million (non-annuity) or more;
- A natural person (individual) who is a beneficial interest owner of a legal entity winner of a lottery prize of $1 million (non-annuity) or more.
The amount of a lottery prize is determined by the total amount paid in a single claim. Limitations:
- Winners must specify their choice on the appropriate TLC claim form when they claim their prize.
- If a winner chooses to receive periodic installment payments (annuity), the prohibition on releasing the winner's name lasts only until the 30th day after the person claims the lottery prize.
- Names of legal entity prize winners and authorized representatives (who are not beneficial owners) may be released by TLC at any time after making a claim for a lottery prize.
UTAH No lottery.
VERMONT Not anonymous/possible trust option? The name, town and prize amount on your Claim Form is public information. If you put your name on the Claim Form, your name becomes public information. If you claim your prize in a trust, the name of the trust is placed on the Claim Form, and the name of the trust is public information. Source: https://vtlottery.com/about/faq
VIRGINIA Anonymous for over $10 million as of 7-1-19. "A new law passed by the Virginia General Assembly and signed by the Governor prohibits the Virginia Lottery from disclosing information about big jackpot winners." Governor Ralph Northam signed the bill into law on February 27. "When the bill goes into effect this summer, the Virginia Lottery will not be allowed to release certain information about winners whose prize exceeds $10 million, unless the winner wants to be known."
Artist 77 Commentary: Possibly retroactive to wins as of now and claiming July 1, 2019 or later?
§ 58.1-4029. Disclosure of identity of winners by the Department.
Except as provided in subsection B of § 58.1-4019, the Department shall not disclose information
about the identity of an individual lottery winner if the value of the prize won by the winner exceeds
$10 million, unless the winner consents in writing to such disclosure.§ 58.1-4019. Certain persons ineligible to purchase tickets or shares or receive prizes.
A. No ticket or share shall be purchased by, and no prize shall be paid on a ticket purchased by or transferred to, any Board member, officer or employee of the lottery, or any board member, officer or employee of any vendor to the lottery of lottery on-line or instant ticket goods or services working directly on a contract with the Department for such goods or services, or any person residing in the same household of such member, officer or employee or any person under the age of eighteen years, or transferee of any such persons.
B. Only natural persons may purchase lottery tickets and claim prize winnings. In all cases, the identity and social security number of all natural persons who receive a prize greater than $100 from a winning ticket redeemed at any Department office shall be provided in order to comply with this section and §§ 58.1-4015, 58.1-4016 and 58.1-4026, and Chapter 19 (§ 63.2-1900 et seq.) of Title 63.2. Source: https://www.lotterypost.com/news/326372
WASHINGTON Not Anonymous. "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." https://www.walottery.com/ClaimYourPrize/
WEST VIRGINIA Anonymous for prizes over $1 million. "Effective January 1, 2019, House Bill 2982 allows winners of State Lottery draw games to remain anonymous in regards to his or her name, personal contact information, and likeness; providing that the prize is equal to or exceeding $1 million dollars." Source: https://wvlottery.com/customer-service/customer-resources/
WISCONSIN Not anonymous/cannot be claimed by other entities. "The original winning ticket must be signed by a single human being. For-profit and non-profit entities, trusts, and other non-human beings are not eligible to play or claim a prize." Source: https://wilottery.com/about/faqs
Two Republican lawmakers have introduced a bill that would allow lottery winners in Wisconsin to remain anonymous. Source: https://www.lotterypost.com/news/326634
WYOMING Anonymous. "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/
NON-US
AUSTRALIA Anonymous. "The great thing about playing lotto in Australia is that winners can choose to remain anonymous and keep their privacy, unlike in the United States where winners don't have such a choice, and are often thrown into a media circus." Source: https://www.ozlotteries.com/blog/how-to-remain-anonymous-when-you-win-lotto/
CANADA Not Anonymous. Every provincial lottery corporation in Canada requires winners to participate in a publicity photo shoot showing their face, their name and their municipality. Source: https://consumers.findlaw.ca/article/can-lottery-winners-remain-anonymous/
May seek anonymity if specific security concerns (rarely granted). "Given those risks, lotto corporations make the occasional exception to the mandatory publicity. In 2008, the Western Canada Lottery Corp., allowed a Winnipeg winner to remain anonymous citing security concerns." The WCLC later said it would protect identities if winners could show there was a "legitimate threat against them," such as prison guards or undercover police officers. Source:https://www.jackpotlawyer.ca/can-lottery-winners-remain-anonymous/ and in 2015 the winner of a multimillion-dollar prize from a ticket sold in Markham managed to keep his or her name out of the news thanks to an assist from the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp., the Markham Economist & Sun has learned. Source: https://www.yorkregion.com/news-story/6167280-olg-helps-13m-markham-lottery-winner-remain-anonymous/ The OLG did not send out a media release after a $13.6-million lottery prize was claimed, an OLG spokesperson confirmed.
EUROMILLIONS COUNTRIES (9 countries) Anonymous. All EuroMillions prize winners have the option to officially remain anonymous when claiming their prize. However, this simply means that your details aren't announced. This does not stop dogged journalists from finding you. Source: http://www.euromillions.co/faqs
- Austria
- Belgium
- France
- Ireland
- Luxembourg
- Portugal
- Spain
- Switzerland
- United Kingdom - "Regardless of whether they tick the "no publicity" box or choose the press conference and champagne reception, all UK winners are promised support, including financial and legal advice, from the National Lottery." Source:https://www.euro-millions.com/publicity
JAMAICA Not anonymous. First initial and last name of winner was released but winner was allowed to wear a mask for photo. Source: https://news.e-servicis.com/news/trending/lottery-winner-takes-prize-in-scream-mask.1S/
PUERTO RICO Appears to have Anonymous option. Source: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/puerto-rico-powerball-winner-claims-prize-chooses-stay-anonymous-n309121
US VIRGIN ISLANDS Unclear. Not addressed on website.
VIKING LOTTO COUNTRIES (9 countries) Anonymous. Viking lotto winners are allowed to remain anonymous in all nine participating countries. https://viking-lotto.net/en/publicity
- Demark
- Estonia
- Finland
- Iceland
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Norway
- Slovenia
- Sweden
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Great job Artist, thanks for putting that together!
Check the State Lottery Report Card
What grade did your lottery earn?Sign the Petition for True Lottery Drawings
Help eliminate computerized drawings! -
Quote: Originally posted by Todd on Mar 30, 2019
Great job Artist, thanks for putting that together!
Thanks Todd. I was surprised to learn that there seems to be more states than I thought with anonymous options.
How Great Thou Art. God has blessed America. We have been liberated! A glorious day in history. -
Thank You for this post.
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thanks Artist, Found it.... looks like MY state does indeed have an anonymous option.....
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Bravo! Artist77
How long will this be up and where can we find it after it comes down?
"We are all in this together!"
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Quote: Originally posted by music* on Mar 30, 2019
Bravo! Artist77
How long will this be up and where can we find it after it comes down?
Why would it be removed??? I will update it periodically .
How Great Thou Art. God has blessed America. We have been liberated! A glorious day in history. -
Regarding Oregon, In 2015 a man in Iraq purchased a winning lottery ticket through a courier service and when he traveled to Oregon to claim it, the lottery accommodated his request to stay anonymous, citing his safety concerns. This could open the door to other big winners staying anonymous. I cannot post a link, but it's easy to Google.
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AFAIK, most (likely all) lotteries allow exceptions in cases where there's a credible risk to the winner if their identity is publicized, but that door is only open on rare occasions.
The lottery was willing to accept that publicizing the identity of an Iraqi resident who won several million dollars would pose a credible risk to the winner. They're not likely to think there's a credible risk if you're a resident of Portland.
I believe there was also a story here about a woman whose name wasn't released by the ID(?) lottery because she already had a restraining order against an ex-husband(?). Don't expect the lottery to let you remain anonymous just because you think an ex, friends, or relatives will pester you for a handout.
MA has allowed winners to remain anonymous by claiming with a trust for several years, and perhaps longer. Shortly after the woman in NH was able to remain anonymous a PA winner was able to remain anonymous by using a trust; I assume that's a pretty good indicator that future winners will also be able to remain anonymous. In NY the names of the members of an LLC are not public information, so as long as the lottery only releases the name of the LLC you can remain anonymous. I was long under the impression that the NY lottery released the name of the actual winning person(s), but for the recent MM jackpot won in NY only the name of the LLC was released.
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It would not be removed and when you update it periodically it will be at the first position again.
Thanks again and here's hoping that California joins the Anonymous club soon.😁
"We are all in this together!"
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Quote: Originally posted by cottoneyedjoe on Mar 30, 2019
Regarding Oregon, In 2015 a man in Iraq purchased a winning lottery ticket through a courier service and when he traveled to Oregon to claim it, the lottery accommodated his request to stay anonymous, citing his safety concerns. This could open the door to other big winners staying anonymous. I cannot post a link, but it's easy to Google.
Thanks. I will add that to the next update. I recall that story now. I guess you and I and most of LP understand that once that 110% non anonymity begins to be chipped away, regardless of reason, it eventually could benefit all lottery players in that state. Exceptions to anonymity are important to know regardless of the fact situation. It is no different to new case law building on prior case law.
I chose not to generalize the non-anonymous potential option unless there was a public source. And generalizing when there are state right to know laws, would be careless without a real world example.
How Great Thou Art. God has blessed America. We have been liberated! A glorious day in history. -
Looking at California I see that here is no requirement to do the media availability nor the photo celebrity. Those are voluntary.
I will notify the CA Lottery Fresno District Office of my choices before I claim my prize.
Do the fifteen minutes of fame and your photo and video interview will be available for eternity.
I will remember that California is the land of "Fruits and Nuts" so to speak. Money does grow on trees here in the Central Valley.
"We are all in this together!"
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Quote: Originally posted by music* on Mar 31, 2019
Looking at California I see that here is no requirement to do the media availability nor the photo celebrity. Those are voluntary.
I will notify the CA Lottery Fresno District Office of my choices before I claim my prize.
Do the fifteen minutes of fame and your photo and video interview will be available for eternity.
I will remember that California is the land of "Fruits and Nuts" so to speak. Money does grow on trees here in the Central Valley.
I could find no source verifying that info. If you have a source, feel free to post it. Thanks.
How Great Thou Art. God has blessed America. We have been liberated! A glorious day in history. -
Quote: Originally posted by Artist77 on Mar 31, 2019
I could find no source verifying that info. If you have a source, feel free to post it. Thanks.
I read the California Lottery Winner's Handbook. Located at calottery.com, click on the Win tab, then look to the left of the page and you will see Lottery Winner's Handbook listed there. Click on it and choose your language.
The author's encourage a winner to satisfy the appetite of the press in one interview. At the lottery District office. There is no requirement to do so.
I will give the press a written statement. The Lottery officials can use a photo of my ticket in place of my mug on their website or elsewhere.
My written statement will include information about Lottery Post and USAMega. My personal history playing the Lottery. And so forth.
I am sure everyone will be dazzled, LOL!
"We are all in this together!"
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Quote: Originally posted by KY Floyd on Mar 31, 2019
AFAIK, most (likely all) lotteries allow exceptions in cases where there's a credible risk to the winner if their identity is publicized, but that door is only open on rare occasions.
The lottery was willing to accept that publicizing the identity of an Iraqi resident who won several million dollars would pose a credible risk to the winner. They're not likely to think there's a credible risk if you're a resident of Portland.
I believe there was also a story here about a woman whose name wasn't released by the ID(?) lottery because she already had a restraining order against an ex-husband(?). Don't expect the lottery to let you remain anonymous just because you think an ex, friends, or relatives will pester you for a handout.
MA has allowed winners to remain anonymous by claiming with a trust for several years, and perhaps longer. Shortly after the woman in NH was able to remain anonymous a PA winner was able to remain anonymous by using a trust; I assume that's a pretty good indicator that future winners will also be able to remain anonymous. In NY the names of the members of an LLC are not public information, so as long as the lottery only releases the name of the LLC you can remain anonymous. I was long under the impression that the NY lottery released the name of the actual winning person(s), but for the recent MM jackpot won in NY only the name of the LLC was released.
We had that feisty discussion about the Iraqi winner in 2015.
