RICHMOND, Va. (WSET) -- Gov. Ralph Northam is making it easier for big lottery winners to stay hidden in Virginia.

The House and Senate passed a law that prohibits the Virginia Lottery from disclosing information about people who win a lottery prize greater than $10 million.

Gov. Northam signed the bill into law last month.

It will take effect on July 1 and the Virginia Lottery will not longer be allowed to release certain information about those winners, unless the winner chooses so.

Under the current Freedom of Information Act, it is mandatory to disclose the winner's name, hometown, and the amount won.

Delaware, Kansas, Maryland, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, and Texas all allow lottery winners to remain anonymous. Arizona and Georgia allow lottery winners to remain anonymous after winning a certain prize amount, like Virginia's new law.

View the full bill here.

https://wset.com/news/at-the-capitol/northam-signs-bill-allowing-some-lottery-winners-to-remain-anonymous