Who won $1.54bn Mega Millions jackpot in US? It may remain a mystery

SOUTH CAROLINA IS ONE OF THE EIGHT STATES WHERE WINNERS CAN REMAIN ANONYMOUS

SOUTH CAROLINA: Like the location of Jimmy Hoffa’s body, the secret formula for Coca-cola and whether there are aliens in outer space, the identity of the winner of the second-biggest lottery in American history may remain hidden forever - because of where the person bought the ticket.

South Carolina, where someone recently purchased the ticket at a convenience store , is one of a handful of states that play Mega Millions and allow winners to be anonymous. Lottery jackpots are often synonymous with dazed winners holding an oversized check, but officials say anonymity can protect winners from being targeted by criminals. “Everything we do we try to create a winner. Why do you want a player who is a winner and now he becomes a loser because his name is out there?” said South Carolina Education Lottery Chief Operating Officer Tony Cooper in explaining the policy of allowing winners to claim prizes anonymously.

If someone thinks it’s best for their safety or sanity to not be named publicly, Cooper says the agency would respect it. Cooper said the agency successfully fought off a Freedom of Information Act request for identifying information of winners including the winner of a nearly $400 million Powerball jackpot in Lexington County in 2013.

Delaware, Georgia, Kansas, Maryland, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina and Texas all allow anonymity to Mega Millions winners.