Michigan Could Become the Next State to Allow Lottery Winners to Stay Anonymous

Michigan is considering a move that would soon allow large lottery jackpot winners to stay anonymous in order to protect their identity.

Current Michigan Law Prohibits Anonymity For Mult-State Games

Under current Michigan law, players who win more than $10,000 in winnings playing in-state lottery games can remain anonymous.

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Take note of the phrase "in-state lottery games." State-only games here in Michigan include instant scratch-off tickets and Lotto 47, but games such as Powerball and Mega Millions are multi-state games and fall under a different set of rules.

There is technically a loophole that can make it possible for Michigan residents to remain anonymous if they win a multi-state jackpot. It's a complicated process, involving multiple steps and we outlined that process here.

Change to Michigan Law May be Coming

New legislation being considered by the Michigan House would allow multi-state lottery winners to stay anonymous.

Michigan State Representatives Pat Outman and Rober Bezotte are the bill's sponsors. House Bill 4048 would make Michigan the 11th state to enact such legislation.

Outman tells CBS Detroit that times have changed since the original laws were put in place.

“We didn’t have social media, we didn’t have the internet, we didn’t have all the solicitations and scams,” he says. “So I think it’s best for the safety of our citizens that we allow them to choose to be anonymous if they want that.”

A vote on the bill is expected next week.