A new bill that made its way through Senate on Tuesday and garnered overwhelming support (23-5) will now make it possible for jackpot winners to not have to worry about divulging their identity – if they choose not to.
Lottery Winners Now Entitled to Privacy If They Choose To
House Bill 3115 received the approval of the Senate and will now be sent to Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek’s office for final approval. This will put Oregon in the company of other states that have recently decided that the anonymity of a winner should be a matter of personal choice and not state law.
Historically, disclosing the identity of the person who won invited public scrutiny and allowed the lottery to operate above board. However, all state lotteries around the United States have been able to burnish their credentials and introduce safeguards that make it virtually impossible for collusion to occur.
Even if a lottery employee did influence the outcome of a draw or tipped third parties, that would not remain unknown for long. Therefore, the reasoning behind the rule that forces winners to disclose their identity has mostly lost its relevance, with most states giving winners freedom of choice.
Up until now, Oregon was a part of 23 states to deny this right to lottery players, but as soon as Gov. Kotek signs the bill (there are no signs that she would seek to oppose it), this will change. Winners certainly feel relieved, as many have voiced concerns over their privacy and safety, being targeted by scammers.
However, the bill was also met with some criticism, as some dissident voices have been heard over the role that courier services could play in all of this, arguing that it benefited said courier services in the end.
Lottery Couriers on the Chopping Block
Lottery couriers are already under a lot of pressure, after they have made it possible for syndicates to snatch up available tickets for certain draws by fitting in all possible combinations and thus all but guaranteeing a win.
A similar case recently took place in Texas, where a courier-bought ticket snatched the jackpot prompting scrutiny from the regulator, lawmakers, and the governor, who all lambasted the company that had sold the ticket. Soon after, Texas announced that it would prohibit the use of courier sites and apps for the sale of tickets.
Opponents to the Oregon bill have similarly raised concerns over courier services, which are said to be operating in a legally grey area.
