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Yet another record-setting lottery jackpot is upon us. This time, it’s Mega Millions. Just a few months ago, it was Powerball.
If you’re lucky enough to land a big prize while playing Mega Millions, you may be wondering if you can claim your winnings anonymously. Unfortunately, that isn’t the case in some states.
According to Mega Millions, it all comes down to your state’s public disclosure laws. Some are required to publicly identify winners while others are not.
For example, in California, where a winner has yet to come forward to claim a Powerball ticket worth $2.04 billion sold in November, disclosure laws require the California Lottery to share the winner’s full name and where they bought the ticket.
In Missouri, your name is only released if you give the state lottery written consent.
In Idaho, information like your name, the town in which you live, where you bought the ticket, and how much you won are “all a matter of public record,” the state’s lottery explains in its winner’s guide. The Iowa Lottery says it is impossible for winners to remain anonymous when claiming prizes.
Winners in Florida can’t remain anonymous either. Those who win $250,000 or more are temporarily exempt from public disclosure for 90 days after claiming their prize, according to the state’s lottery.
If you win the lottery in Colorado, your first name and the first letter of your last name are listed on the state lottery’s website.
