Can I Remain Anonymous If I Win The Lottery?
Winning the lottery sounds amazing – and it is – but to keep it that way, it’s crucial to be smart about how you handle your newfound fortune. First, protecting your privacy is key. The moment your name goes public, you could become a target for scams, unwanted attention, or even safety risks. That’s why, if your state allows it, staying anonymous can be one of the smartest decisions you make as a winner.
Why Would I Want To Win The Lottery Anonymously?
Unfortunately, there are some serious downsides to going public after winning. The bigger the jackpot, the bigger the threat it may impose on your sense of privacy and security. Reporters and journalists might camp out in front of your home for days, while every business, charity, and old acquaintance of yours will come asking for a piece of your prize.
Worst of all, lottery winners have often been targeted by scammers and criminals, such as shady lawyers and even simple house burglars.
Should You Remain Anonymous When You Win the Lottery?
We know that winning a lottery is very exciting, and like many winners who proved that they know how to win the lottery (at least once), you may be eager to share the news of your good fortune with family and friends. But maybe it’s safer to protect your privacy and stay out of the limelight. Winners should seek the advice of professional advisors and determine what is best for them.
If you’ve ever wondered what states allow lottery winners to remain anonymous, it’s important to know that not all of them do – each state has its own rules, and in some cases, winners are required to go public.
What States Allow Lottery Winners To Remain Anonymous?
Arizona
Under Arizona law (A.R.S. §5-573(D)), the names of individuals or legal entities awarded lottery prizes of $100,000 or more are kept confidential for 90 days from the date the prize is claimed. Winners of $100,000 or more may also choose to keep their names permanently confidential. However, the city and county of residence of the prize winner are not confidential. Read more here.
New Jersey
Winners of the New Jersey Lottery can remain anonymous, but proper identification must be presented for internal processing and for reporting to the Internal Revenue Service. For more information, read here.
New York
Lottery winners in New York may have their name and city of residence made public, but street address or telephone number remain discrete. For more information, read here.
Minnesota
Unless a winner chooses to opt in to publicity, Minnesota state law allows for the names and cities of lottery prize winners above $10,000 to remain private. The names and cities of lottery prize winners of $10,000 or less are still public data.
Oregon
Oregon is one of 22 states that mandate the disclosure of lottery winners’ names. For more information.
Lottery Tax Implications by State
When you see a lottery jackpot advertised in the hundreds of millions – or even billions – remember that the actual payout will be less. The advertised figure represents the pre-tax amount, and how much you take home depends largely on where you live. Some states impose steep withholding taxes on lottery winnings, while others don’t tax them at all. For more information about taxes on lottery winnings, read here.
How to Protect Your Identity if You Win
- Get professional guidance on taxes, asset protection, and long-term planning.
- Avoid publicizing your win.
- Keep the news as private as possible to protect your safety and peace of mind.
At {#SUB_SITE_NAME#}, we ensure that ordering lottery tickets online is safe and the privacy of our players is respected. When you win the lottery, your full name and/or image will not be used in our promotions and website unless your permission has been granted. We also strive to provide our players the best way to claim lottery winnings: prizes valued at approximately $600 or less are deposited into your personal account automatically. {#SUB_SITE_NAME#} will assist with the collection of more substantial prizes.
At TheLotter US, we ensure that ordering lottery tickets online is safe and thethat privacy of our players is respected. When you win the lottery, your full name and/or image will not be used in our promotions and website unless your permission has been granted. We also strive to provide our players the best way to claim lottery winnings: prizes valued at approximately $600 or less are deposited into your personal account automatically. TheLotter US will assist with the collection of more substantial prizes.
Good luck in your online lottery experience!
