INQUISITR.COM / News & Politics

Can Powerball, Mega Millions And Lottery Winners Stay Anonymous? [Videos]

By Charisse Van Horn
Published on: 04:28 PST, Jan 25, 2016

Should laws change to allow all Powerball, Mega Millions, and lottery winners to remain anonymous after hitting the jackpot? It’s a popular question that is surfacing in many conversations after the $1.58 billion Powerball jackpot and latest news about winners being targeted for violent crimes. In fact, there is so much negativity, violence, and tragedy that follows jackpot and lottery winners that some have referred to it as the “Lotto Curse.” There was even a documentary called THS Investigates: Curse of the Lottery that focused on the terrible tragedies and losses that occurred after someone won the Powerball, Mega Millions, and lottery.

While some financial losses are attributed to poor financial decisions, others can be attributed to the criminal actions of others. Unfortunately, many people who have won large jackpot prizes or other lottery games have become the victim of heinous crimes, including murder. Since there have been multiple cases of lottery winners murdered, should there be a universal law that states Powerball, Mega Millions, and other jackpot winners should be allowed to remain anonymous?

The number of Powerball, Mega Millions, and other lottery winners who have been murdered is staggering. Unfortunately, not every state allows those who win the lottery to remain anonymous. Some states require their name and winnings to be a matter of public record.

Below are some Powerball, Mega Millions, and Lottery Winners who have been murdered.

  1. Craigory Burch, Jr. (Georgia)
  2. Urooj Khan (Illinois)
  3. Abraham Shakespeare (Florida)
  4. Ryan McKechnie (Ireland)
  5. Doris Murray (Georgia)
  6. Jeffrey Dampier (Illinois)
  7. William and Brenda Evans (both were murdered over their lottery ticket, Michigan)

In addition to those who were murdered, there are cases of suicides, financial ruin, drug overdoses, and subsequent bankruptcies with incredible debts owed. If there is such thing as a lotto curse, is there a way it can be stopped or prevented? Are there steps people should take after winning the lottery to ensure their financial and physical safety? How about those who live in states where their name and information becomes a matter of public record? Are there things Powerball, Mega Millions, and lottery winners can do to protect their financial, emotional, and physical well-being and safety?

Those who win Powerball, Mega Millions, and other lotteries will need to check with their individual state laws to determine whether they can remain anonymous or must go public. Some states allow for the winnings to be placed in a trust, and the winner can then keep their identities hidden. Before claiming your winning ticket, speak to a financial advisor or tax attorney who has experience handling lottery winners. Determine the legal options available to you. If like some of the previous winners you live in a rough neighborhood and your identity is made public, don’t hesitate in taking steps to protect your personal safety. Buy a dog, install a security system, and take other practical steps to ensure you and your family are safe and secure.

Some winners of the Powerball, Mega Millions, and state lottery games found that those closest to them turned out to be their greatest adversaries. In some of the cases mentioned above, it wasn’t the actions of strangers that led to murder but those of close family members and friends. Those who win the lottery will need to be suspicious of everyone, including their family and friends. It might sound a bit negative, but it is better to look at everyone with a careful and scrutinizing eye then to wind up murdered over millions. You may have heard it said that money changes people, and there is no question that the stories of those who won the lottery or hit the Mega Ball and Powerball jackpots and wound up dead at the hands of those they trusted serve as cautionary tales.

What do you think? Do you think states should keep the names of lottery winners and those who win the Powerball and Mega Millions jackpots secret? Should winners be allowed to remain anonymous?

[Image via Creatista/Shutterstock]

Share this article: Can Powerball, Mega Millions And Lottery Winners Stay Anonymous? [Videos]
mega millions powerball lottery
More from Inquisitr