For Further Information Contact:

Speaker Robin Vos (608) 266-3387

Madison…Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) provided written testimony for Assembly Bill 213, the Lottery Privacy Act, at a public hearing held by the Assembly Committee on State Affairs. The Racine County representative is the co-author of the legislation with Rep. Gary Tauchen (R-Bonduel). The lawmakers introduced the bill in April on the same day the state’s largest jackpot winner came forward to receive his prize.

“Under current law, the winner was forced to expose his identity which was publicized in a press conference and spread across the nation. This type of attention led to months of harassment that forced the now multimillionaire to go off the grid,” said Speaker Vos. “Just because you win the lottery, it shouldn’t mean you lose your right to privacy.”

The legislation prohibits the Department of Revenue (DOR), lottery administrators and the retailer who sold the ticket from disclosing the lottery prize winner’s name, address or Social Security number if the individual requests anonymity. The bill allows for disclosures in order to determine the withholding of winnings for unpaid taxes, court judgements or child support. In addition, the DOR may release the location of the winning ticket, providing the store owner with the opportunity to advertise their sale.

“This bill is an effort to protect the integrity of our state lottery as well as the sanctity of a citizen’s privacy,” said Speaker Vos.

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) and other sources, ten states have similar privacy laws for lottery winners.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email