Ticket-holder’s choice: Her privacy or $770m jackpot

A New Hampshire woman is asking a judge to allow her to skirt lottery rules and remain anonymous while collecting the US$560 million ($770m) she won last month.

The US state’s Powerball lottery rules require the winner’s name, town and amount won be available for public information, in accordance with open-records laws.

But the woman, identified in court documents as Jane Doe, is asking a judge to let her keep the cash and remain anonymous.

“She is a longtime resident of New Hampshire and is an engaged community member,” the woman’s lawyer, Steven Gordon, wrote in the court documents. “She wishes to continue this work and the freedom to walk into a grocery store or attend public events without being known or targeted as the winner of a half-billion dollars.”

The law doesn’t appear to be on her side.

The state allows people to form an anonymous trust, according to NewHampshire.com, but it’s a moot point for the woman — she’d already signed her name and altering the signature would nullify the ticket.

In a statement, New Hampshire lottery executive director Charlie McIntyre said the commission consulted with the state’s attorneygeneral’s office and that the Powerball winner must abide by the disclosure laws “like any other”.

“The New Hampshire Lottery understands that winning a US$560 million Powerball jackpot is a lifechanging occurrence,” the statement said. “Having awarded numerous Powerball jackpots over the years, we also understand that the procedures in place for prize claimants are critically important for the security and integrity of the lottery, our players and our games.

“While we respect this player’s desire to remain anonymous, state statutes and lottery rules clearly dictate protocols.”

Other lottery winners have realised that every ticket-buyer’s fantasy can quickly morph into a nightmare.

And there are numerous examples of people who’ve tried to swindle lottery winners out of their newly acquired cash — or take the money by force.