Anonymous Lottery States 2026

States That Allow or Limit Lottery Winner Anonymity

Twenty-three states allow lottery winners to remain anonymous either fully or under certain conditions. In 20 of those states, winners can legally keep their identity confidential, although the rules vary. Some states only grant anonymity for prizes above a certain dollar amount, while others require winners to formally request confidentiality when claiming their prize.

Three additional states—Colorado, Florida, and Michigan—offer partial anonymity. In these cases, limited identifying details such as a first name, hometown, or other basic information may still be disclosed, or anonymity may apply only to certain prize levels or lottery types. Lottery laws are set at the state level, and the scope of privacy protection differs widely depending on where the ticket was purchased.

States That Require Disclosure or Have No Lottery

In 24 states, lottery winners are required to disclose their identity when claiming a prize. While some of these states allow winners to claim through a trust or legal entity, the claimant’s name typically remains part of the public record. This means that, in most of the country, major lottery wins are treated as public information.

Five states—Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada, and Utah—do not operate a state lottery at all. As a result, there are no state-level rules governing winner anonymity in those jurisdictions. Because lottery laws vary widely across the United States, anyone concerned about privacy should review the specific regulations in the state where the ticket was purchased.