House Introduced Bill
Introduced bills appear as they were introduced and reflect no subsequent amendments or changes
Published: March 24, 2025
Michigan House passes bill granting anonymity to multi-state game lottery winners
https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Bills/Bill?ObjectName=2025-HB-4004
House Bill 4004 of 2025
Sponsors
Categories
Gaming: lottery; multistate lottery games; allow winner to remain anonymous. Amends sec. 25 of 1972 PA 239 (MCL 432.25).
Documents
The As Passed by the House version is the bill, as introduced, that includes any adoped House amendments
Analysis
LANSING, Mich. (WJRT) - The Michigan House passed a bill allowing winners of multi-state lotteries to remain anonymous, aiming to protect them from potential dangers and harassment.
Republican State Rep. Pat Outman of Six Lakes introduced the legislation, which would enable winners of multi-state lottery games such as Mega Millions and Powerball to keep their identities private.
Current law requires that winners' names be publicly disclosed to claim prizes from a multi-state lottery, which can lead to safety concerns and stress for winners and their families.
"We shouldn’t force Michigan lottery winners to be in a position where they receive unwanted, possibly dangerous attention," Outman said.
Winners of Michigan Lottery games offered only in the state already are allowed to remain anonymous to accept their prizes. If the bill becomes law, Michigan would join 11 other states that offer anonymity to multi-state lottery winners.
"My plan gives them the choice to keep their identities anonymous. A privacy option gives people a sense of security and helps protect them from harassment or a flood of requests for funds, loans or donations," Outman said.
He emphasized that the growth of social media over the past decade heightens the risk of personal information about lottery winners being exposed, making them susceptible to scams and unwanted solicitations.
"Winning the lottery should be cause for celebration, not distress," Outman said.
His plan, House Bill 4004, received strong support in the Michigan House and moved to the Michigan Senate for further consideration. If approved there, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer could sign it into law.
Outman proposed a similar bill in 2023, which also passed the House with an overwhelming majority. But the bill was not enacted during the previous legislative term, so he had to start the process over this year.
https://www.abc12.com/news/lottery/michigan-lottery-winners-may-soon-remain-anonymous-for-safety/article_b40b23aa-a3b7-4797-8f68-7c81bd2e2c42.html