Can You Stay Anonymous After Winning the New Jersey Lottery? Here's What You Need to Know

Winning the lottery can be life-changing, but suddenly becoming famous isn't everyone's idea of a dream come true. Fortunately, New Jersey Lottery winners can keep their identities private, thanks to a law introduced in 2020.

Unlike many other states, New Jersey automatically protects lottery winners' identities. You don't need to establish a trust or LLC or make a special request to stay out of the spotlight.

The New Jersey Lottery will only release your name, hometown, photo, or video if you voluntarily agree to publicity.

However, anonymity doesn't mean nobody knows about your win. The Lottery and government agencies still have access to your personal information.

How Does New Jersey Lottery Anonymity Work?

New Jersey makes privacy the default option for lottery winners. The protection continues for as long as you want, and your identity is also exempt from public records requests.

Even if you remain anonymous, the Lottery can still announce certain details:

• The county where the winner lives.
• The store and town where the winning ticket was purchased.
• The lottery game and drawing date.
• The total prize amount.

You don't need a trust or LLC to protect your identity. However, some jackpot winners choose to establish one for financial planning or managing their winnings.

Government agencies, including the IRS and New Jersey Division of Taxation, will still receive your information. Outstanding child support and certain state debts may also be deducted before you receive your prize.

Lottery Winners Who Experienced the Downside of Publicity

Before the 2020 law, New Jersey jackpot winners had to accept public attention, including having their names and photographs shared with the media.

Several past winners experienced problems long after their big wins.

Richard Wahl – $533 Million in 2018

Richard Wahl, a production manager from Vernon, won a $533 million Mega Millions jackpot in March 2018.

His winning ticket came from a gas station in Riverdale. The Lottery introduced him publicly at a press conference in Trenton the following month.

However, his sudden fame also attracted scammers. By 2020, reports identified at least 60 fake Instagram accounts and around 50 TikTok profiles using his name to promote fraudulent cash giveaways.

Mike Weirsky – $273 Million in 2019

Mike Weirsky won a $273 million Mega Millions jackpot in 2019 after recovering a ticket he had accidentally left at a QuickChek store in Phillipsburg.

Unfortunately, scammers continued using his identity. In 2025, AARP reported a case involving a fake Facebook giveaway that promised $100,000 but demanded gift cards and additional payments from victims.

Evelyn Adams – $5.4 Million in 1985 and 1986

Evelyn Adams made New Jersey Lottery history by winning a jackpot twice, first in 1985 and again in 1986.

At the time, she worked as a convenience store clerk in Point Pleasant Beach. Her repeated lottery success made her widely recognizable.

She later explained that the attention became overwhelming. People constantly recognized her, and many individuals who borrowed money from her never paid it back.

Today's New Jersey winners have a much better option: they can collect their prizes without revealing their identities.

How to Claim an NJ Lottery Prize Without Revealing Your Name

Winning a jackpot can be exciting, but it's important to take the right steps before contacting the Lottery.

You generally have plenty of time to prepare.

1. Don't Give Up Your Anonymity

New Jersey's winner disclosure rules make anonymity automatic.

When completing the Lottery's Winner Claim Form, you'll see a section called the Anonymity Waiver.

• Leave the box unchecked to keep your name, town, and photograph private.
• Check the box only if you're comfortable allowing the Lottery to use your identity and likeness for promotional purposes.

Once you agree to publicity, the Lottery can share your name, town, prize amount, photographs, and videos.

The 2020 law also prevents people from obtaining an anonymous winner's identity through ordinary Open Public Records Act requests.

2. Learn From New Jersey's Biggest Anonymous Winners

The law has already allowed major jackpot winners to collect their prizes without becoming public figures.

In February 2020, a $202 million Mega Millions ticket was sold at a convenience store in Edison. When the prize was claimed that September, the public learned the winning game, prize amount, and store location, but not the winner's identity.

Another major example came in December 2024.

The winner of a $1.13 billion Mega Millions jackpot, from a ticket sold at a ShopRite in Neptune Township, successfully claimed the prize while keeping their identity private.

3. Do You Need a Trust or LLC?

No. New Jersey doesn't require lottery winners to create a trust or LLC to remain anonymous.

In some states, winners use these legal structures to prevent their personal names from appearing in public announcements. New Jersey's privacy law already provides that protection.

However, trusts and LLCs can still be useful for:

• Estate planning.
• Managing large lottery payments.
• Organizing lottery pool winnings.
• Handling long-term financial arrangements.

If you're considering one, consult an estate planning attorney before submitting your ticket. The legal structure must be established before the ticket is turned in, and your attorney can explain how it should be signed.

4. Secure Your Winning Ticket

Don't rush to Lottery headquarters immediately after discovering a big win.

For Powerball, Mega Millions, and Pick-6, winners generally have one year from the drawing date to claim their prizes. Scratch-off tickets follow the individual game's rules.

Before claiming:

• Sign the back of your ticket unless an attorney advises otherwise because of a planned trust or LLC.
• Take photographs of both sides.
• Store the original ticket somewhere secure, such as a safe deposit box.
• Hire an attorney experienced in estate planning and taxes.
• Speak with a CPA or tax professional before choosing a lump-sum payment or annuity.

Large prizes must be claimed in person by appointment at Lottery headquarters in Lawrence Township, near Trenton.

Appointments can be arranged by calling 800-222-0996. Bring valid identification because prizes of $600 or more must be claimed under your identity.

5. Understand the Taxes Before Spending

Lottery winnings come with tax obligations.

The New Jersey Lottery generally withholds:

• Federal taxes: 24% on prizes exceeding $5,000.
• New Jersey state taxes: 5% on payouts up to $500,000 and 8% on amounts above $500,000.

New Jersey doesn't tax NJ Lottery prizes of $10,000 or less.

Keep in mind that the initial withholding may not cover your entire tax bill. A large jackpot can put you in the highest federal tax bracket, meaning you'll likely owe additional taxes when filing your return.

A qualified CPA can help calculate your actual tax liability.

Protect Your Privacy Beyond the Lottery Law

Even with legal protection, keeping your identity secret requires some common sense.

The Lottery can protect your information, but it can't control what you share with other people.

Here are a few precautions worth taking:

• Avoid social media announcements: Don't post pictures of expensive purchases or your new lifestyle.
• Don't quit your job immediately: Sudden changes in your routine can attract unwanted attention.
• Keep the news private: Tell only a small number of people you genuinely trust.
• Avoid confirming rumors: The Lottery may identify the store that sold the winning ticket, so people nearby could start guessing.

A little discretion can go a long way in protecting your privacy.

What Does NJ Lottery Anonymity Actually Protect?

New Jersey's anonymity law provides strong protection, but it doesn't hide every detail of your win.

There are also exceptions for second-chance drawings and promotional giveaways. Winners of these contests may have their names and hometowns released.

Another important point concerns unpaid child support. Under New Jersey's enforcement rules, someone who is at least one month and $25 behind on child support and wins $600 or more could have outstanding payments deducted from their prize.

Where You Buy Your Ticket Makes a Difference

Powerball and Mega Millions are played across multiple states, but your anonymity depends on where you purchased the winning ticket.

The rules of the state where the ticket was sold apply, not the state where you live.

For example:

• A Philadelphia resident who buys a ticket in Cherry Hill can use New Jersey's anonymity protection.
• A New Jersey resident who purchases a ticket in Philadelphia must follow Pennsylvania's disclosure rules.

Here's how some neighboring states compare:

This is particularly important for South Jersey residents who regularly travel into Pennsylvania or Delaware.

If keeping your identity private is important, the location where you purchase your ticket matters.

What Happens When an Office Lottery Pool Wins?

Lottery pools can make anonymity more complicated.

Even if the official claim remains private, coworkers who contributed to the pool will know about the win. Their families and friends might eventually hear about it, too.

To avoid disagreements, establish clear rules before purchasing tickets.

• Put every participant's name in writing.
• Agree on how the winnings will be divided.
• Keep records of everyone's contributions.
• Use IRS Form 5754 to allocate the prize and tax responsibilities among group members.

Usually, one person submits the claim on behalf of the group.

Play Responsibly and Know Your Limits

Lottery jackpots can be exciting, but winning is never guaranteed. Buying more tickets doesn't ensure a better financial outcome.

If you're spending money reserved for bills, purchasing extra tickets to recover previous losses, or hiding your gambling habits from family members, consider seeking help.

New Jersey residents can contact 1-800-GAMBLER for free, confidential, 24-hour support through the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey.

You must be at least 18 years old to purchase NJ Lottery tickets.

FAQs About Staying Anonymous After Winning the NJ Lottery

1. Can you remain anonymous after winning the New Jersey Lottery?

Yes. Since 2020, New Jersey Lottery winners have been anonymous by default. The Lottery can publish their names, hometowns, and photographs only if they agree to publicity.

2. Does anonymity also apply to Powerball and Mega Millions?

Yes. However, the ticket must be purchased in New Jersey. The state where the ticket was sold determines the applicable privacy rules.

3. Can small-prize winners also remain anonymous?

Yes. The anonymity protection applies to prizes of all sizes. However, second-chance drawings and promotional giveaways have different disclosure rules.

4. How much tax is withheld from a $1 million NJ Lottery prize?

For a $1 million prize paid as a lump sum, the stated withholding would be:

• Federal tax (24%): $240,000.
• New Jersey tax (8%): $80,000.
• Estimated amount received: $680,000.

The actual tax bill could be higher depending on your overall income and tax situation.

5. Can people still find out that I won?

Possibly. The Lottery can announce the winning county, ticket-selling store, game, and prize amount. People may make guesses based on those details, while social media posts and conversations can reveal more.

Final Thoughts: Protect Your Ticket and Keep Your Win Private

New Jersey gives lottery winners an important advantage: you don't have to become a public figure to collect a life-changing prize.

Your identity stays protected unless you voluntarily give up that right.

If you win big, secure your ticket, consult an attorney and tax professional, avoid unnecessary publicity, and think carefully before sharing the news.

Sometimes, the smartest move after winning millions is simply to stay quiet.