Can You Remain Anonymous in the Massachusetts Lottery?

Written by Jackpot Staff

January 13, 2026

Winning the lottery can be a life-changing moment, especially when a ticket is worth millions of dollars. Along with the excitement, some winners also think about what happens next, including whether their name or other personal details will be made public. In many states, lottery winners are required to disclose certain information, while others offer options to limit public exposure.

If you’re playing the lottery in Massachusetts, you may be asking: Can lottery winners remain anonymous in Massachusetts? The answer depends on state lottery laws and specific claim rules. Understanding how anonymity works, what information may be released, and what alternatives are available can help winners make informed decisions and enjoy their prize with confidence.

Lottery Winner Privacy in Massachusetts

Massachusetts Lottery Disclosure Requirements

Currently, Massachusetts does not allow lottery winners to claim prizes directly under their own names with automatic anonymity protection. The Massachusetts Lottery Commission requires winners to disclose their names, cities or towns of residence, provide photo identification, and state the amount of their winnings when claiming prizes. Furthermore, the Commission publishes winners' names and photographs on its website as part of public records disclosure requirements.

This lack of direct anonymity places Massachusetts in contrast with states like Delaware, Kansas, Maryland, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, and Texas, which allow lottery winners to remain completely anonymous by law.

The Trust Option: Massachusetts' Privacy Loophole

While direct anonymity isn't available under current Massachusetts law, there's good news: the state recognizes the legitimacy of claiming lottery prizes through trusts. This creates a practical pathway for winners who plan ahead.

"The trust mechanism in Massachusetts has been refined through decades of use by lottery attorneys and estate planning professionals," explains Kurt Panouses, a leading lottery attorney who has represented more than fifty million-dollar winners. "It's a legitimate way to maintain privacy while complying with state requirements."

When a winner establishes a lottery trust, they work with an attorney to create a trust document that names themselves as the beneficiary and designates a trustee, often the attorney, to manage the trust and claim the lottery prize on its behalf. The winning ticket must be signed in the name of the trust before submission to the Lottery Commission, not in the winner's personal name.

Once the trustee claims the prize and the funds are deposited into a trust bank account, the winner can remove the trustee and replace them with another trustee of their choosing, potentially themselves, thereby regaining full control of the funds while maintaining privacy.

Massachusetts Senate Bill 260

In 2025, Massachusetts lawmakers introduced Senate Bill 260, which would represent a significant change to the state's approach to lottery winner privacy. The bill proposes to amend Massachusetts General Laws to classify a lottery winner's name, address, and identifying information as nonpublic records that would not be disclosed by the Massachusetts Lottery Commission.

If passed, Senate Bill 260 would:

• Bar the Lottery Commission from disclosing a winner's personal information
• Eliminate requirements for public appearances at lottery commission events
• Mandate written notification to winners informing them of their right to request confidentiality

This legislation would bring Massachusetts into alignment with an increasing number of states that recognize and protect the legitimate privacy interests of lottery winners through direct legal mechanisms rather than requiring winners to establish trusts.

How to Remain Anonymous in Massachusetts

Until Senate Bill 260 or similar legislation passes, Massachusetts lottery winners must rely on trusts to maintain privacy. Here's how to protect your identity if you win:

1. Pre-Win Preparation (Ideal Scenario)

• Consult with an estate planning attorney experienced in lottery law before purchasing tickets
• Consider establishing a trust in advance, ensuring you can immediately sign a winning ticket in the trust's name
• Select a generic trust name that reveals nothing about you (e.g., "XYZ Nominee Trust")

2. Immediate Actions After Winning

• Don't sign the ticket in your personal name! This is critical—once signed personally, the anonymity option becomes much more difficult
• Sign the ticket in the name of your trust, or contact an attorney immediately before signing
• Store the ticket in a secure location, such as a bank safe deposit box
• Maintain absolute secrecy about your win

3. Engaging Professional Help

• Hire an experienced estate planning attorney to create necessary trust documents if not already established
• Consider assembling a team, including a financial advisor and accountant with experience in sudden wealth
• Expect to pay approximately 1% of your winnings for legal and financial services in the first year

4. Claiming Through Your Trust

• Have your trustee present the trust documentation to the Massachusetts Lottery Commission
• The trustee will provide identification, present trust documents, submit the winning ticket, and complete claim forms
• The trustee's name and photograph will appear on the Lottery Commission website and in press materials
• Once funds are deposited into the trust account, you can remove the trustee and assume control of the funds

Alternative Privacy Mechanisms

Limited Liability Companies (LLCs)

In addition to trusts, some Massachusetts lottery winners have explored using LLCs as claiming entities. An LLC creates formal separation between the owners and the entity itself, potentially allowing the owners' personal names to be kept private.

However, the Massachusetts Lottery Commission's policies regarding LLC claims are more restrictive than its policies for trust claims. Approximately nine states and Washington DC explicitly allow LLCs to collect lottery winnings, but rules vary considerably by state.

Multi-Member Entities for Group Winners

For office pools or lottery syndicates, establishing a multi-member LLC or partnership entity can provide both anonymity benefits and clarity regarding prize distribution. Instead of each individual winner being publicly identified, a single entity claims the prize, and its internal operating agreement specifies how proceeds will be distributed.

The National Trend Toward Winner Privacy

Massachusetts isn't alone in reconsidering lottery winner privacy. In 2025 alone, seven states introduced or passed measures to allow winners to remain anonymous or limit how their personal information can be disclosed:

• Kentucky's House Bill 46 allows winners of over $1 million to keep their names and likenesses confidential for up to one year
• Virginia's House Bill 1799 prohibits the Virginia Lottery from releasing names or hometowns of winners of $1 million or more without written consent
• Maine's L.D. 404 protects the identity of anyone winning $100,000 or more with permanent confidentiality

Currently, nine states provide complete anonymity protection: Delaware, Georgia, Kansas, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, North Dakota, and Wyoming.

Other states have adopted threshold-based approaches:

• Arizona: anonymity for prizes over $100,000
• Georgia: anonymity for prizes over $250,000
• Minnesota: anonymity for prizes over $10,000
• Virginia: anonymity for prizes over $10 million

Protecting Your Privacy as a Massachusetts Lottery Winner

While Massachusetts doesn't currently offer direct anonymity protection for lottery winners, the trust mechanism provides a viable path to privacy for those willing to engage in advance planning and legal preparation. The proposed Senate Bill 260 represents a promising development that could simplify this process in the future.

Until then, remember these key takeaways:

• Never sign a winning ticket in your personal name if privacy is important to you
• Consult with an experienced lottery attorney immediately after discovering a win
• Maintain strict confidentiality about your win
• Consider establishing a trust before purchasing lottery tickets to simplify the process

Winning the lottery should be a blessing, not a curse. By understanding your privacy options and planning accordingly, you can protect yourself from the unwanted attention and potential dangers that come with public lottery wins.

The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or tax advice. Lottery laws and claim rules may change and can vary based on individual circumstances. You should consult with a qualified legal or financial professional before making decisions related to lottery winnings.