Your dream has come true and you’ve won the big bucks by playing the lottery. ✨ Congrats!
But what if you are one of the lucky winners who doesn’t want their identity revealed to the world? If you win the lottery, can you stay anonymous?
Well, the short answer is that it depends on the state. The level of anonymity lottery winners can keep depends on their state’s guidelines.
Overview of Anonymous Lottery States
Some states are anonymous lottery states and allow winners to conceal their identities. Others are states with lottery anonymity if the winnings are over a certain amount or for a certain length of time. Yet, other states, such as Ohio, make it easy to claim the prize via a blind trust, thereby protecting the winner’s identity. Many states don't allow lottery winners to stay anonymous because they consider the winner’s information to be public record.
Check below for the policies for every state with a lottery! You can cross-check against your state's official lottery website for the most up-to-date information.
States With Anonymous Lottery Winners
Here is a list of anonymous lottery states, including any restrictions for that state:
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Arizona* - prize winners of $100,000 or more
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Arkansas* - Prize winners of $500,000 or more can remain anonymous for three years.
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Delaware
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Georgia - prize winners of $250,000 or more
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Illinois - prize winners of $250,000 or more
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Kansas
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Maryland
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Massachusetts* - Winnings can be claimed in the name of a trust.
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Michigan - Prize winners of $10,000 or more in local state games (excludes Mega Millions & Powerball prize winners, for example)
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Minnesota - Prize winners over $10,000
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Mississippi
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Missouri
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North Dakota
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Ohio* - Prize wins can be claimed anonymously through a blind trust.
- Puerto Rico*
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South Carolina
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Texas* - Prize winners of $1,000,000 or more
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Virginia - Prize winners of $10,000,000 or more
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West Virginia* - Prize winners of $1,000,000 or more
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Wyoming
*This is a Jackpocket state!
States That Don't Allow Anonymous Lottery Winners
The following are not anonymous lottery states:
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California
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Connecticut
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Florida
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Illinois
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Indiana
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Iowa
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Kentucky
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Louisiana
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Maine*
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North Carolina - Prize winners of $50 million or more can remain anonymous for 90 days after claiming the prize.
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Oklahoma
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Pennsylvania
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Rhode Island
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South Dakota
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Tennessee
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U.S. Virgin Islands
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Vermont
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Washington
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Wisconsin
*This is a Jackpocket state!
Other Lottery Differences by State
Do lotteries do any other things differently state by state? They sure do! From games offered and taxes on lottery winnings, to where the money goes, each state lottery does things a little differently. States can even vary in the maximum number of days to claim a lottery prize— be sure to check the official lottery website for the state you're claiming your prize in (if different than your home state) to get the most up-to-date information.
Wondering what it takes to be a lottery winner? Go behind-the-scenes for exactly what happens if you win a Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.
Why Some States Offer Lottery Anonymity
Why are there some states with an anonymous lottery while others require you to reveal your identity? It all depends on how the lottery was set up in a state. Lawmakers set the rules for a lottery when it is created in that state. Many lotteries come into existence when approved by voters.
What Are the Benefits of Staying Anonymous After Winning the Lottery?
Many battles have been fought over lottery money. This is why anonymity is so important. If you win, you may not even want to tell friends or family that you won right away (if at all). A man in Maine won one of the biggest Mega Millions jackpots ever. His family sued him for not sharing his great fortune after he allegedly promised his family what he would do with the money.
Anonymity assures you privacy. It is then up to you when or if you tell anyone about your good fortune. Come up with a plan and know precisely what you want to do with the money. Write it down and go over the plan with a lawyer. This would help to protect your winnings if old Uncle Jack, who you haven’t seen in 10 years, suddenly appears with his hand out.
Can a Lottery Winner Use a Trust to Claim the Prize Anonymously?
In some states where winners must disclose their information to claim their prize, their anonymity can still be protected. These states allow the winner to claim the prize in the name of a trust instead of their personal information. If your state is on the not allowed list above, check your state’s lottery website to see if claiming through a trust is allowed. Setting up a trust may require a lawyer specializing in the lottery, so be prepared for a fee to make this happen.
How to Claim a Lottery Prize Anonymously
In states with lottery anonymity, when filling out your lottery claim form, there may be a box to check stating that you wish to remain anonymous. If this is your goal, ensuring the box is checked off when turning in your lottery ticket and form is essential, especially if claiming your prize by mail. If claiming in person, the person at the lottery commission may ask if you wish to remain anonymous.
Important Rules for Anonymous Lottery Claims
When claiming lottery winnings anonymously, you will still need to prove your identity to the lottery commission. This will require identification with your picture on it along with possible secondary identification such as a social security card. This doesn’t protect your identity from the lottery commission, but if you have chosen to remain anonymous, they will not provide your name when posting lottery winners. They will still post about where the ticket was ordered along with the amount won, but your name won’t be included in the listing.
