Say I win the Lotto but I don’t want everyone to know about it. If I claim it myself then the New York State Lotto Authority has the legal right to require me to make public appearances to promote the lottery.
Why can’t I simply sell the ticket at a discount to a faceless financial institution. Say it’s worth $100 Million. I would sell it to JP Morgan for $95 Million. They make a quick $5 Million and I keep my anonymity. Will this work?
Is a non-human legal person allowed to play the lottery or own a lottery ticket? That’s an interesting question to consider from a legal perspective. Do managers looking at ever more dismal financial statements ever send employees on a “business trip” to Atlantic City to try to, uhh, make some money for the company?
Yes, non-natural persons are allowed to own lottery tickets and claim their proceeds in New York. That being said, I’m pretty sure the authorities would still have the right to force the beneficiary of the corporation to make appearances. That’s why I can’t simply set up an LLC or trust and have it claim the winnings. Rather I would need a widely owned corporation.
Is that right?
Couldn’t you effectively dodge this by explaining that you hate the Lotto Authority and all it stands for, your ticket purchase was simply part of a plan to siphon away some of their ill-gotten gains, and you’re incapable of standing before a camera without voicing this opinion in a crude and vulgar way.
Dear Lottery Organizers,
Yes, I will be happy to make an endorsement appearance.
I will be the guy in pee soaked pants, picking his nose, grabbing his crotch and flipping off everybody. When do we start?
Love,
Bubba-Winner
If I won the lottery, I would happily appear for reporters, to tell them “A lottery is a stupidity tax. I only had to pay $5 a week.” (That’s cuz I’m not as dumb as I look…) 
Identifying yourself to claim the prize doesn’t mean you have to go on camera and plug the lottery. You can hire a lawyer, claim the prize that way, and identify yourself legally without ever opening your door to a reporter.
Some lotteries have a requirement that you agree to aprticipate in publicity. This (a) plugs the lottery game and (b) proves the lottery honchos didn’t pocket the money themselves.
Can you cite this? Not that I doubt the possibility, but I’ve never heard this before.
Here’s a link to the rules in California. I’ve no doubt there’s a similar caluse in the rules for the other 39 states with a lottery.
That’s not the same thing as being obliged to go on camera and say the lottery is awesome. It means they can get your name, your likeness, and use it in advertisements.
Yeah, sometimes you see Canadian lottery ads with pictures of the happy winner holding the 4-foot-wide cheque. Certainly their publicity magazines at the lottery kiosk have such photos.
I was very surprised at one of the last powerball frenzies to read that disclosing your identity was not mandadtory in some powerball states.
We like to think our officials are above that, but I would not be surprised if in some more corrupt countries the authorities used lotteries as a way to siphon money.
It would depend on the rules of the specific lottery, of course, but absent language to the contrary, there is no reason you can’t sell a lottery ticket.
From Shankland v. Washington, 30 U.S. 390:
New York State Codes Rules and Regulations, Title 21, Section 2803: “Each prizewinner grants to the Director the right to use his or her name, city of residence, any photograph, image, and video or audio recording in order to publicize his or her winnings for marketing, advertising or other purposes of the Division. At the discretion of the Director, photographs or images of winners may be taken and used for publicity or to compile a photographic or other visual record of winners.”
I live in a state, Maryland, which you can remain anonymous. I agree there are good reasons for wanting the data to be public, but I certainly would not want my info known. I don’t think they would force the photo thing on you (unless they have a policy of doing it with everyone). There are plenty of people (other einners) who like publicity.
If I had to (didn’t live in MD) I’d try to negotiate the sale to someone else (there are companies that specialize in structured settlements - which this can be like). Or I’d change my name to John Smith, (you have (I think) 180 days to claim the prize), and then simply change it back. It would be reported in the papers - that “John Smith” of some city other than mine (rent an apartment for six months) won the prize. If I had to appear to collect the check - id hire the same type of makeup artist who does stuff for 60 minutes where they interview a confidential informant.
The lottery of course has to comply with whatever the law is, but most of that stuff is written so they don’t get sued for using you as an example in advertising.
Some states do not allow anonymity but do allow you to set up a trust which allows you to keep your name private. I believe that Connecticut is one.
I thought of this to, but wouldn’t they require a photo ID before they gave you your money?
I was thinking about the privacy thing and decided the best idea would be to just go live in another country for a few years and come back when everyone has forgotten about you.
I recall a few interviews with people who had won decent prizes - a few million or so. One fellow mentioned that a co-worker he barely knew “jokingly” suggested he pay off the guy’s mortgage, then got pretty hostile when he said no. Basically, a lot of “friends” stop being friends for various reasons. One lady said “well, I still go out with my friends, but nowadays I pick up the tab. It’s just that you can tell they are waiting for you to do it.”
Many complained that the phone calls from charities and people, complete strangers, needing financial help started the day of the publicity and went on for months. Some were pretty agresssive too.
SO yes you would appreciate keeping it all confidential.
Why? It’s not like the lottery ticket has your name on it.