Mega Millions Jackpot Winner Can Stay Anonymous Thanks To SC Law
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SIMPSONVILLE, S.C. (AP) - Millions of lottery tickets were purchased this week, but the public might never find out who won the second-biggest lottery in American history.
That's because the winning ticket was purchased in South Carolina, one of a handful of states where Mega Millions winners can choose to be anonymous.
Showing a winner waving a big check at a news conference may draw interest to the games, but officials and lawmakers say anonymity can protect winners from being targeted by criminals and unscrupulous people coming out of the woodwork asking for money.
Proponents of publicizing the winners' names generally say it maintains the integrity of the games and it's a matter of government transparency.
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