Announcing Winners to the public?

Reply #24

Mattapan — Fri, 27 Dec 2013 16:48:01 GMT

lol..amen brother

Reply #23

One-Day — Fri, 27 Dec 2013 03:10:38 GMT

I don't agree with the publicity, the showing of pictures and disclosing of names. I have quite a few people in other states that no doubt would like to expire my health benefits, including a rotten to the core ex-wife. However, that wouldn't keep me from playing the lottery. I'll cross that bridge when I get to the river.

Reply #22

Candlelight777 — Fri, 27 Dec 2013 02:33:57 GMT

I think simply providing the retailer and city in which the winning ticket was sold and won is really all that anyone needs to know. What they are doing now doesn't serve any purpose because you don't know the person anyway...it's a face and a name. The only purpose it does serve is a way for people to find them and harass them or do harm. That is just my opinion and the way i see it. Nothing wrong with seeing it differently and if your ok with it then hey, if you win, your good to go on the mat... [ More ]

Reply #21

Candlelight777 — Fri, 27 Dec 2013 02:17:37 GMT

I would be far more comfortable with your suggestion then the way it is now if i was given a option. But my first choice is it stays between the lottery, IRS and winner. Press gets a hold of it there goes privacy...public gets a hold of it there goes privacy plus it potentially lands in dangerous hands with ill intent. What would be better is if the lottery oversaw that release of info to the public. You have to come to the lottery office, get you pic taken and provide your ID info likewise on y... [ More ]

Reply #20

Mattapan — Fri, 27 Dec 2013 01:22:13 GMT

No, I understand the thread and your comments, I just have a different opinion. I think that showing the winner not only adds credibility but it shows that with a little luck anyone can win. If every state allowed people to collect anonymously I doubt the masses would like that. So i'm in the collect publicly camp which I would gladly do if I won.

Reply #19

Jon D — Fri, 27 Dec 2013 00:43:46 GMT

There are two parts to the winner identity issue:

1. The initial publicity of winner name and likeness in the winner press conference.

2. The subsequent disclosure of the winner in a public records request.

Check my post on this issue in the recent news thread:

https://www.lotterypost.com/news/269462/3378480

I believe option #3 is appropriate. You may feel differently.(what option do you like)

I do agree, the whole posing for the picture with the ginormous check is silly. It's... [ More ]

Reply #18

Candlelight777 — Fri, 27 Dec 2013 00:17:58 GMT

Course there are but in general most people want to know they are spending money, especially when it comes to gambling, with a reputable organization. That reputation is not based on publically displaying a winner's identity...that is what checks and balances and outside auditors are for

Reply #17

Coin Toss — Fri, 27 Dec 2013 00:08:46 GMT

Candlelight777,

There's some people on this site that question the lottery being on the up and up, yet they still play.

______________________________________________

Everyone:

RE: The OP......in one of the books about what to do when you hit the lottery the author suggests getting a Kidnap and Ransom insurance policy.

Reply #16

Candlelight777 — Thu, 26 Dec 2013 23:52:14 GMT

I think you completely missed the point of the thread and my followup comments

If people don't trust a lottery they won't play. The reason people play the lottery is because it has become a trusted establishment based on it's checks and balances and outsider audits. Displaying a winners indentity and photo does not add credibility to the lottery therefore, it should be the winners choice as to go public or stay private. There is no reasoning or grounds to force one to go public and certainly... [ More ]

Reply #15

Jon D — Thu, 26 Dec 2013 23:49:11 GMT

Right. People are just thinking about the dream of a big win. The pictures and interviews of the winners further helps visualize that dream. The marketing guys want that.

Personally, I'd refuse publicity. My state allows that. It doesn't mean that somebody still can't find out who you are, but at least that shields you from the bulk of the exposure.

There's enough wannabe reality TV stars seeking 15 minutes of fame, I'm sure there's no shortage of the lottery finding willing winners for th... [ More ]

Reply #14

mrcraft — Thu, 26 Dec 2013 23:38:59 GMT

Thanks. Well, that makes it easy then. I'll just sign my darn ticket right away if I win.

Reply #13

Mattapan — Thu, 26 Dec 2013 23:18:46 GMT

The average player when they go play a number doesn't think about checks and balances or outside auditors. The only thing they know is pay your money, watch the balls and hope for a win. If the jackpot is huge everyone and there mama want to know who won, myself included. As far as computer programs creating false photos, they can't create false press conferences. Besides that's way over thinking. A Happy family or a single person sitting down at a table talking about how money won't change them... [ More ]

Reply #12

Candlelight777 — Thu, 26 Dec 2013 22:36:42 GMT

This is the way i see it..... If there were no checks and balances and outside auditors overseeing things....how much credibility then would a winners picture and identification hold? What is a person gonna do track these people down and call them? heck you can bet they changed their numbers, probably moved and certainly not accessable to the public understandably. Even if you could track them down somehow, they wouldn't talk to you because there probably are enough crazy people attempting to do... [ More ]

Reply #11

Mattapan — Thu, 26 Dec 2013 21:57:25 GMT

I actually believe winners names should be published to assure complete faith in the systems. When I hear about someone claiming anonymously, I instantly question whether or not it's on the up and up especially huge jackpots. I'm sure i'm not the only one. If I won, I would publicly pick up that huge check, give the press conference and answer all questions.

If you win something like 2 or 4 million it barely raises any eyebrows so i'm sure you would be good to go. However, if you win one of t... [ More ]

Reply #10

Candlelight777 — Thu, 26 Dec 2013 21:31:36 GMT

Thanks for the info. Well you know what they say about money...it can be a blessing and it can be a cursing

Reply #9

Jon D — Thu, 26 Dec 2013 21:05:31 GMT

Actually, I found out that in CA they just recently changed the rules.

They used to allow Trust/LLC winner claims, and there were examples of that in the past. But earlier this year they changed the rules so that only a natural person may claim prizes. I checked the regulations and yep, sure enough, they quietly slipped in that change on the April 2013 revision. Very sneaky.

Reply #8

Kejana48 — Thu, 26 Dec 2013 21:04:05 GMT

I would love to have to sort through this issue one day, instead of never winning

Reply #7

Jon D — Thu, 26 Dec 2013 20:58:28 GMT

There are 6 states that explicitly allow anonymous lottery claims: Delaware, Maryland, Ohio, South Carolina, Kansas and North Dakota.

But a winner can also claim anonymously in many other states by claiming as a Trust or LLC.(a few states such as VA and OR disallow that though) Then the only one facing the publicity is the lawyer, and the Trust/LLC name is the published winner. A quick search for Indiana provides some examples:

https://www.lotterypost.com/news/243204

https://www.lottery... [ More ]

Reply #6

Shelby Mustang — Thu, 26 Dec 2013 20:11:03 GMT

LOL rdgrnr I got one better, I'd be walking around with my AA-12 and an extra clip if needed

Reply #5

Shelby Mustang — Thu, 26 Dec 2013 20:09:35 GMT

It is a problem I'd love to have in the very near future...I'm gonna go out on a limb here and just say I dont care if the release my name or what as long as I win enough to where I can just retire and do as I please. LOL as that one song goes Say my name say my name

Reply #4

rdgrnr — Thu, 26 Dec 2013 18:47:34 GMT

I'd recommend that you get a big ol' country boy for a bodyguard and pay him about a million dollars a year if you really wanna be safe.

Let me know if you're leanin' that way when you win.

Reply #3

Candlelight777 — Thu, 26 Dec 2013 18:47:09 GMT

Thank you...i will go check out the thread.

Reply #2

mrcraft — Thu, 26 Dec 2013 18:39:15 GMT

There are threads here that discuss forming trusts and having your attorney claim the prize at the lottery office.

I'm new, so I can't post links, but one thread is in the News section. There are comments to the article about Pennsylvania's attempt to make that state an anonymous state where winners can choose to collect anonymously. That might provide you with some information to guide you in your research, but you'll likely need to consult an attorney for a definitive answer.

I have the... [ More ]

Reply #1

helpmewin — Thu, 26 Dec 2013 17:59:17 GMT

Announcing Winners to the public?

Candlelight777 — Thu, 26 Dec 2013 17:49:22 GMT

I love to play like many of you but the thought has often crossed my mind and with great concern...being forced to share my identity with the public. That is a scary thought in light of me and my families safety. I would not tell anyone except those close to me in fear of becoming a target, or my children being used as a ransom. I live in Indiana and i see peoples faces and names posted on the hoosier lottery website and sometimes on the news channels and wonder if they had a choice. I don't kno... [ More ]