portland, ‍Ore. – In a notable win for‍ privacy,‍ Oregon Lottery winners will no longer have their names and addresses publicly disclosed.A ​new law, passed during this year’s legislative session, goes into⁢ effect this weekend, marking a major ‌shift in how lottery winnings are handled in the state.

From Public Record to Protected Privacy

Previously, the identities of Oregon Lottery winners were ‍considered public record, readily accessible to anyone requesting the details. This frequently enough led to unwanted attention and potential security concerns for those blessed enough to hit the ‍jackpot.

What Information Will Still Be Released?

While winners’ names and addresses will remain confidential, the Oregon Lottery will continue to release certain details about prize wins.⁣ According to ⁤Melanie Mesaros,‍ a spokesperson for the Oregon Lottery, this includes the winner’s city ⁣of residence, the retailer that⁣ sold the winning ticket, the specific game played, and⁤ the prize amount.”So there’s still going to be some information that will ‍be available,” Mesaros explained.

Ban on Resale of Winning Tickets

The new legislation also addresses the practice of selling winning‌ lottery tickets. The law now ‍prohibits the resale of winning‍ tickets, a tactic some individuals ‌previously employed to avoid potential garnishment of winnings for outstanding debts, such as child support or public assistance overpayments. Oregon ⁢law mandates that lottery prizes can be used to satisfy these outstanding obligations.

Protecting Winners and ensuring Accountability

This dual-pronged approach – protecting winner anonymity and preventing the circumvention of financial responsibilities – aims to strike a‌ balance between individual privacy and the state’s ⁢obligation to‌ recover funds owed to families and ‌public programs.

The Growing Trend of Lottery Privacy

Oregon joins a growing number of states recognizing the importance of privacy for lottery winners. Concerns about safety, harassment, and unwanted solicitations have fueled this ​trend, with manny jurisdictions now offering varying degrees of anonymity to protect those who strike⁣ it rich. This legislation reflects ⁤a broader societal shift towards greater⁤ control over personal information.

Frequently asked Questions‍ About Oregon Lottery Privacy

Q: Will all Oregon Lottery winners now be anonymous?

A: ‍No, while names and addresses are protected, the Oregon Lottery will still release the winner’s city, the retailer, the game played,⁤ and the prize amount.

Q: When does the new Oregon⁣ Lottery ‍privacy law take effect?

A: The law goes into effect this weekend, July 6-7, 2024.

Q: Why was the‌ law changed to protect lottery winner⁤ privacy?

A: The change addresses concerns about the safety and security ​of winners,‍ as well as⁢ unwanted attention and solicitations.

Q: Is it now illegal to sell a winning lottery ticket ⁢in ‍Oregon?

A: Yes, the new law explicitly bans the sale ‍of winning lottery tickets.

Q: Can lottery ⁢winnings still be used to pay off debts in Oregon?

A: yes, oregon law⁢ still allows for ​lottery winnings to⁣ be garnished​ to cover outstanding child support ⁤or public assistance overpayments.

Q: What‍ does the Oregon Lottery say about the new law?

A: ‌Spokesperson melanie Mesaros stated the Lottery will continue to release some ⁢information‌ about prize wins, such as the city of‍ the winner⁢ and the retailer.