New York is currently one of the few states that forces big lottery winners to go public, but a major change is finally moving through Albany.

The Update: Senate Bill S2613 just passed the Senate on March 4, 2026 (Vote: 58-2). It is now in the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee. If signed, the NY Lottery would be legally barred from releasing the name or info of anyone winning over $5,000 without their consent.

Official Bill Link: Senate Bill S2613

The Current "Workaround" in NY:

Under current law, you can stay technically anonymous, but it’s expensive. It has been widely reported that winners can claim prizes through an LLC (even with an LLC, the name of the entity is still public record) or a Blind Trust. However, this requires hiring a specialized legal team and paying thousands in fees to set up the entity before you claim. This bill would make privacy a free right for every winner, not just those who can afford a lawyer.

How NY compares to other states:

• 100% Anonymous (The "Safe" List): NJ, DE, MD, KS, MS, MO, MT, ND, SC, WY, and Oregon (joined late 2025).
• Anonymity for Large Wins: AZ ($100k+), GA/IL/FL ($250k+), TX/WV ($1M+).
• The "Public" States (NY’s Current Group): New York, California, and most of New England.

What changes if this passes?

• Safety: No more being targeted by scammers or "long-lost" relatives.
• No Forced Publicity: The state can no longer require you to do "giant check" photoshoots or press conferences.
• Automatic Privacy: Your name and hometown stay off the Lottery website by default.