Oregon could soon become one of the few U.S. states to offer lottery winners the right to remain anonymous. The proposed legislation, House Bill 3115 (*) aims to shield the identities of individuals who win prizes exceeding $100,000—a move applauded by privacy advocates and criticized by transparency watchdogs.
State Representative Kim Wallan, a Republican from Medford, introduced the bill, citing concerns about the safety and mental health of winners. “When someone wins a life-changing amount of money, they also become a target. We believe in protecting our citizens,” Wallan stated during a legislative hearing.
Under current Oregon law, the names and hometowns of lottery winners are public record, often released by the Oregon Lottery as part of promotional efforts. However, rising concerns over harassment, fraud, and even kidnapping have pushed lawmakers to reconsider this practice. If passed, Oregon would join states like New Jersey, Maryland, and South Carolina in offering anonymity to big winners.
Lottery officials noted that the change would not affect tax reporting or internal verification processes. Instead, it would simply withhold personal information from public press releases and marketing content unless the winner opts in.
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With the popularity of lottery games continuing to grow—Oregon’s Lottery generated over $1.5 billion in revenue in 2024 alone—the move could influence how other states approach winner privacy. As online betting and instant-win games surge nationwide, privacy protections are becoming a larger part of the conversation surrounding modern gaming regulation.
(*) HB 3115 is a bipartisan bill introduced in the 2025 Regular Session of the Oregon Legislature.Its primary objectives are:
- Anonymity for Lottery Winners: The bill allows lottery prize winners to choose whether to release their name and address. Without written authorization, this information is exempt from public disclosure.
- Prohibition of Resale of Winning Tickets: It prohibits the transfer, for consideration, of winning Oregon State Lottery tickets or shares above a certain value.
- Tax Implications: Purchases of certain winning lottery tickets that are deductible for federal tax purposes are not deductible for Oregon tax purposes.
The bill has passed both chambers of the legislature and is currently awaiting the Governor's signature.
