Mega Millions - 1 BILLION DOLLARS

That is where I think they need to let lottery winners stay anonymous if they wish. A few states do, but it can be a blessing and then a curse lol.
I have a friend that won $100,000 on a $20 dollar scratch off ticket in May, and was asking him a lot of questions on how it works.

1. First all winners name and town they live by state law have to be announced, but it's up to the winner if they want photos and such released. So, his name and the town he lives in is listed, only on the website, with the amount and the game he won it on. He got a photo with the big check they gave him taken at their office, and he got to keep the big check.

2. He cleared $71,000 after taxes were taken out and they gave his that amount in a check.

According to what he told me, there are a few states where no information is released and made public, but that is not allowed in Iowa.
 
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Nobody really cares about the anonymity…until they win. That’s probably why it would take a major event for the law/rules to change to allow anonymity. Back in the day I assume they didn’t want anonymity to make it appear on the up and up. In today’s world you would think they could allow anonymity without sacrificing the integrity of the lottery.
 
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Nobody really cares about the anonymity…until they win. That’s probably why it would take a major event for the law/rules to change to allow anonymity. Back in the day I assume they didn’t want anonymity to make it appear on the up and up. In today’s world you would think they could allow anonymity without sacrificing the integrity of the lottery.

Just learned Minnesota has an anonymity law:

The names and cities of lottery prize winners above $10,000 are automatically considered private data unless a winner chooses to opt in to publicity. “Private data” means that this information is known to the lottery but can’t be released to the public.

 
I have a friend that won $100,000 on a $20 dollar scratch off ticket in May, and was asking him a lot of questions on how it works.

1. First all winners name and town they live by state law have to be announced, but it's up to the winner if they want photos and such released. So, his name and the town he lives in is listed, only on the website, with the amount and the game he won it on. He got a photo with the big check they gave him taken at their office, and he got to keep the big check.

2. He cleared $71,000 after taxes were taken out and they gave his that amount in a check.

According to what he told me, there are a few states where no information is released and made public, but that is not allowed in Iowa.

So if he were to move, would he have to tell the lottery so they could update that website?
 
Is it where you purchased the ticket or where you live? Could you take up residency in a place like Minnesota before claiming the prize?
 
I have a friend that won $100,000 on a $20 dollar scratch off ticket in May, and was asking him a lot of questions on how it works.

1. First all winners name and town they live by state law have to be announced, but it's up to the winner if they want photos and such released. So, his name and the town he lives in is listed, only on the website, with the amount and the game he won it on. He got a photo with the big check they gave him taken at their office, and he got to keep the big check.

2. He cleared $71,000 after taxes were taken out and they gave his that amount in a check.

According to what he told me, there are a few states where no information is released and made public, but that is not allowed in Iowa.
Hope Iowa State and the We Will Collective regularly reach out to all recent lottery winners in Iowa to see if they would be interested in making a small contribution...
 
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Just learned Minnesota has an anonymity law:

The names and cities of lottery prize winners above $10,000 are automatically considered private data unless a winner chooses to opt in to publicity. “Private data” means that this information is known to the lottery but can’t be released to the public.

I believe Kansas also allows you to remain anonymous. Pretty sure Missouri does not.
 
Just learned Minnesota has an anonymity law:

The names and cities of lottery prize winners above $10,000 are automatically considered private data unless a winner chooses to opt in to publicity. “Private data” means that this information is known to the lottery but can’t be released to the public.


It appears it is based on where you buy the ticket... Iowa reports winners from MN for example....

 
So if he were to move, would he have to tell the lottery so they could update that website?
No, if you go to the Iowa Lotto website, it lists the winners, the town they are from and the game they won on. They asked him how long he had been playing and he said it was only his 3 months of trying. They said that they have people that have played for years, and in many cases have spent more money trying to win, than what they won in the prize.

He said they were great to work with, answered all his questions, and were willing to offer advise.
 
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I'd much rather shell out $2 in "insurance" than see my sad-ass picture on the news under the caption "Lone Office Worker Misses Out on Billion Dollar Jackpot" whilst my co-workers do lines of coke off Vegas hookers.

I'd try that for a weekend.
 
I have a friend that won $100,000 on a $20 dollar scratch off ticket in May, and was asking him a lot of questions on how it works.

1. First all winners name and town they live by state law have to be announced, but it's up to the winner if they want photos and such released. So, his name and the town he lives in is listed, only on the website, with the amount and the game he won it on. He got a photo with the big check they gave him taken at their office, and he got to keep the big check.

2. He cleared $71,000 after taxes were taken out and they gave his that amount in a check.

According to what he told me, there are a few states where no information is released and made public, but that is not allowed in Iowa.
Fed takes 25% off gambling winnings, so come next year you would have a nice surprise when you file your taxes. Not sure on state.
 
I might strongly consider the annuity option if I ever won. I think I'm level headed enough that getting $300M at once I'd be able to hire financial advisors and lawyers and security and such. But how many stories have you heard about broke lottery winners? That much money is ridiculous. This would guarantee that you'd at least be rich every year for 30 years. That's some damn good security.
 
I might strongly consider the annuity option if I ever won. I think I'm level headed enough that getting $300M at once I'd be able to hire financial advisors and lawyers and security and such. But how many stories have you heard about broke lottery winners? That much money is ridiculous. This would guarantee that you'd at least be rich every year for 30 years. That's some damn good security.

Most of that is because the people who are the most likely to win are the people who play the most. And the people who play the most generally aren't smart with money to begin with.