Oregon House moves to shield lottery winners’ identities

SALEM, Ore. (AP) – Lottery winners could remain anonymous under a bill making its way through the Oregon Legislature.

The House voted 55-2 to approve House Bill 3389, which would shield the identities of those who win national lottery games. The Oregon State Lottery will not publicly disclose the name and address of prize winners unless they have written permission.

Oregon joins a growing number of state legislatures considering measures to allow big lottery jackpot winners to remain anonymous. Nine states allow winners to remain anonymous and Massachusetts, Minnesota and Wisconsin are among those considering similar proposals.

Lottery groups have said that disclosing winners’ names is important for public transparency and shows that random, everyday people are winning these prizes.

The measure now goes to the Senate for consideration.