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Should Lottery Winners' Names Be Kept Private?

Does the public have the right to immediately know lottery winners’ names? Vote in our poll.

November 26, 2012

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Someone’s life could change on Nov. 28 when the $425 million Powerball is drawn. If the lucky winner lives in New Jersey, should he or she get to remain anonymous, at least for a while?

A local assemblyman thinks so, The (Bergen) Record reports. Assemblyman John Burzichelli (D-Gloucester/Salem) is proposing a bill to keep lottery winners’ names private for a year. Lottery winners’ names and contact information are public and for-profit companies make about 70 requests annually for that information, The Record says.

Burzichelli says his bill would give lottery winners some breathing room from firms eager to offer financial advice (for a fee, of course) and even from long-lost relatives and friends who suddenly need financial help from the winner.

Not so fast, says an attorney for the New Jersey Foundation for Open Government, who believes transparency in the lottery is vital.

“As soon as you make this stuff secret, you’re going to find every politically connected person winning it,” The Record quotes Walter Luers as saying. “We’re seeking secrecy for secrecy’s sake.”

What do you think—should privacy concerns trump transparency in the lottery? Vote in our poll below.

And if you’re planning to play the lottery no matter who could find out your name, remember the $425 million Powerball will be drawn Wednesday, Nov. 28. Tickets are $2 each and you can choose between an annual payout or a lump sum worth $278.3 million.

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Sarah

2:16 pm on Monday, November 26, 2012

I know I would like to keep my name priviate if I should ever win.

Jasomm

2:42 pm on Monday, November 26, 2012

Should be private until they file their taxes for the first time since winning.

Occupant

3:07 pm on Monday, November 26, 2012

It doesn't matter to me ... Once I win.. I'm so out of New Jersey

theresa barnett

5:31 pm on Monday, November 26, 2012

yes keep it private . I,m thinking who ever you meet gone up you'll probably if it should happen ,meet them coming down . Personaly ,if you don"t know me now you don't have to act like you know me when. One things for sure you will always have the poor with you ,but I don"t need anyone contacting me to let me know who to give to thank you.

Phil

9:08 am on Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Keep it private, period, other states do, not sure why NJ doesn't.

Billy Pilgrim

9:42 am on Tuesday, November 27, 2012

I think that keeping it private for a year should give the winner enough time to get their ducks in a row. After a year, their name(s) should be made public. I agree that if it were to be kept private, the odds would be stacked in the favor of those it would benefit the most. It wouldn't take long before the fix was in. Besides that, as I understand it, most lottery winners lives are hurt by "family" members that come out of the woodwork anyway. Presumably, they would know the winner's identity given enough time regardless of whether or not the names are made public.

Alison

9:48 am on Tuesday, November 27, 2012

I understand that it's probably good (free) publicity for the Lottery if they can put a name and face out there. I think the decision should be left up to the winner. If they don't want to be identified, then they shouldn't be. You never know what kind of (negative) attention winning a lot of money could attract.

On another note, we formed a pool at work and the person who bought the tickets went to PA to buy them because he says that the state of PA doesn't tax the winnings and NJ does. Is this true? We're losing millions in revenue to collect taxes in the event that a ticket bought in NJ wins? Seems foolish!