RIGHT NOW, A HANDFUL OF STATES ALLOW WINNERS OF BIG LOTTERY PRIZES TO REMAIN ANONYMOUS. STATE SENATOR PAT WOODS INTRODUCED SENATE BILL 397 DURING THE LAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION, HOPING TO GIVE NEW MEXICO LOTTERY WINNERS THE SAME OPTION. THE BILL DID MAKE IT TO THE GOVERNOR’S DESK, BUT SHE DID NOT TAKE ACTION ON IT, THUS KILLING THE LEGISLATION.
WOODS HAD ARGUED THAT MAKING THE NAMES OF BIG LOTTERY PRIZE WINNERS PUBLIC EXPOSES THEM TO A HOST OF SCAMMERS AND OTHERS, HOPING TO GET SOME OF THE PRIZE MONEY.
