Lottery commissions in Canada are shifting how they identify jackpot winners as the permanence of the internet changes the risks associated with sudden wealth. While publicizing winners was once a standard for transparency, the transition from disposable newspapers to eternal digital records has prompted a rethink of privacy policies.
The Shift Toward Partial Anonymity
The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) implemented a policy change in March that limits the information released to the media. The Crown corporation now provides only the first names and last initials of winners.
OLG spokesperson Tony Bitonti noted that a decade or more ago, winner stories were printed in newspapers that were eventually tossed away. Today, since almost everything is online, those stories live on forever.
Similarly, the British Columbia Lottery Corporation has shared only first names and last initials for all winners since Jan. 1. A spokesperson stated the intent was to provide more privacy while still informing the public that the prize was paid to the rightful person.
The Personal Cost of Publicity
For some, the lack of privacy leads to significant personal challenges. Randy Rush, who won a $50-million Lotto Max jackpot in Lamont, Alta., in 2015, said he decided to get out of dodge
immediately after collecting his prize to avoid inevitable headaches.
Rush has since co-authored two books detailing his experiences. One of these accounts includes a lengthy legal battle with a former friend and business partner following an investment in a tech startup.
Stephan Desbiens, a financial planner with Exponent Investment Management in Ottawa, describes lottery winners as open targets
. He reports that clients are often approached by long-lost friends with investment opportunities that are essentially attempts at fraud.
The High Bar for Total Anonymity
Despite these risks, achieving complete anonymity remains difficult. Michael Cochrane, a lawyer with Brauti Thorning LLP in Toronto, says the bar for granting anonymity is remarkably high.
Lottery commissions may grant anonymity in special circumstances, such as when a winner is a victim in a court case or has a history of being harassed. But, Cochrane notes that a general fear of becoming a victim of a scam is typically not enough to meet the test.
The need for some level of publicity persists to prevent fraud. The OLG came under scrutiny in the mid-2000s after Ontario’s ombudsman flagged suspicious insider wins, which undermined confidence in the lottery scheme.
As digital footprints continue to expand, lottery commissions may further refine their disclosure rules. A possible next step could involve more stringent limits on how long winner data remains accessible to the public, or a broadening of the criteria used to grant full anonymity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the OLG change its winner publicity policy?
The change was a response to privacy concerns from winners. Because stories now live online forever rather than in disposable newspapers, the OLG now only releases first names and last initials to the media.
Can a lottery winner remain completely anonymous?
It is difficult. Anonymity is generally only granted in special circumstances where there are genuine safety concerns, such as a history of harassment or being a victim in a court case.
How does the OLG handle the names of winners who win over $1,000?
While media releases are limited to first names and initials, the full names of all winners of prizes over $1,000 appear on the OLG website for 30 days after the winnings are collected.
If you won a major prize, would you prefer total anonymity or the public recognition of your win?
