If you won Lottery.. (1 Viewer)

Well, I have this question at work with my co-worker.
I told him that if I won lottery I wouldn't want to have my name or picture published. I want to remain anonymous. But he said that they have to publish your name, you don't have to have picture taken but the name has to be published. It's the law. Is it the law ?

From what I understand (California Lottery) yes it is true. Lottery participants (i.e. the people who contributed to your millins) can demand to know that the lottery was legit and who the winner was.

But I believe all they have to give out is your name. Hopefully you don't have some really unique last name.

Who are you hiding from?

Actually it depends on the state where the ticket was bought. Most states require public disclosure of winner's names. Here in DE we are the exception. Any winnner in DE can choose to remain 100% anonymous.

Yup ... for sure that'll be my choice.

There are 3 states (DE, KS, ND) do not require you to go public. SC will keep it private only if you request it.

Source

In Vermont:

Q. Can Lottery winners remain anonymous?

A. No. Florida Lottery winners cannot remain anonymous. Florida law mandates that the Florida Lottery provide a winner’s name, city of residence, game won, date won and amount won to any third party who requests the information. However Florida Lottery winners home addresses and telephone numbers are confidential.

It's not my turn yet..
Well, you never know... I just want to be prepared... in case I won. Chance of winning is greater than not playing at all right ?
I'll use my lucky dollar next pot.

When I win, publish my name and photo. Just as long as they publish the photo of me kissing my cheque and with my quote of:

"If God wanted me to share...he would have made me a nice person! Holla!"

I could only imagine the backlash.

i can't imagine any instance where a lottery winner would not want to remain anonymous.

CJ

I liked what someone said to do before you go public. Go to the library and research your family tree. This way whoever comes out of the woodwork claiming to be a relative. You know if they are full of crap or not.

Seriously, I couldn't even imagining winning millions of dollars. What I would do. I own a small family business with my father. If I won and knowing I didn't need the money from work..would make work a lot more enjoyable. I just don't know if I would quit completely. I think I would go crazy being home all the time..when not traveling. Definitely make sure my father retires and take my mom away and relax.

My kids would be happy!

Man that double-negative took about 90 seconds to parse! It's been too long since Boolean Math in college.

I agree that most people would want to remain anonymous -- you'll be hounded by friends, family, fortune-seekers, cheats, swindlers, and financial advisors.

Also, I observe that the truly wealthy, whose money is not derived from celebrity, are pretty quiet about it and stay out of the public eye. I'd guess for the same reasons.

That's why I'd rather only win a "small" lottery, say $30 million. No one ever follows the winners of those, whereas the big ones ($365 million) are plastered all over the news.

You'd be surprised how many winners do want the attention. I have in the past work with the CA Lottery people and they say many winners just can’t wait to get in front of the cameras.

As for winning, if I were to win I would want to win big. I know the father a person who won over 100M. After the initial attention things died down and now she lives a very anonymous life. All be it a very nice anonymous life.

I actually do have an idea of what I'd do if I won the lottery, because I was in a lottery pool and we put together a letter of agreenment to cover the unlikely event of our winning and had to think these things through.

1) Sign and physically secure the ticket. (Bank safe deposit box.)

2) Get unlisted phone number.

3) Hire the best tax lawyer in the state of Florida.

4) Arrange for a few days off from work, fly to Tallahassee, turn in ticket.

If it were the kind of big prize that would attract a lot of press, I'd also arrange to board the cats somewhere and check into a nearby hotel for a week or two, preferably under an assumed name. Just until the heat died down you understand.

5) Quit job.

Regards,

Joe

I would live in a series of fabulous apartments, in all the trendiest cities of the world, and live under assumed names taken from movies.

"Congratulations on your new condo overlooking central park Mr.Wayne."
"Please, call me Bruce."

Ha-ha! I jest. in reality I'd be dead within the year of a heartattack and weigh 400lbs. My 25,000 sqr.foot home wouldn't even have a kitchen.

*Don't show-up for work. When the evening news announces your winning ticket just get in the car and drive to your state's Lottery office. Wait till they open. Tell the spouse you'll be back. Leave your car in the lot, now they know what it looks like.

*Get a cellphone. Don't give anyone the number except the lottery people. Cancel your house number.

*Move to another city, rent an apartment under an assumed name.

*Move again to cover your tracks. Split lottery winnings between several bank accounts (at seperate banks goofball).

*Leave state for 16 months or so. Once a new superlotto winner is chosen, continue with your life.

that is pretty good. #6 is key to keeping anonymity.

CJ