Lottery winners' secrets could soon be safe with state

Audio By Carbonatix

(The Center Square) - The dream? You win the lottery, and all of your financial worries melt away.

For Pennsylvania’s lottery winners, the big break can come with a bit of a nightmare thanks to the state’s policy of publishing their names along with the winnings.

Sen. Lisa Baker, R-Dallas, described a friend’s experience after winning a major payout from a scratch-off. Both the winner and her family soon became the victims of harassment from scammers hoping to part her from the newfound wealth.

Baker’s legislation, which saw unanimous final passage in the Senate Monday, would give winners the option of keeping their personal information anonymous. The commonwealth would maintain the practice of publishing other data like the prize amount and city of residence for transparency.

Baker pointed to technological developments for the increase in bad actors approaching lottery winners and emphasized that high-ticket winners need special consideration.

“While transparency in Pennsylvania Lottery operations is essential, I believe it is equally important to protect lottery winners’ privacy and shield them from those who may be looking to exploit their good fortune,” said Baker.