Pennsylvania Senate Moves to Protect Lottery Winners’ Privacy

Pennsylvania lottery winners might soon have a little more peace of mind. The state Senate just approved a bill that would let winners of $100,000 or more keep their identities private when claiming their prizes.

The measure — Senate Bill 73, sponsored by Sen. Lisa Baker (R-Luzerne) with bipartisan support — sailed through the Senate unanimously after clearing the Appropriations Committee without opposition. Next stop: the House.

Baker says the idea came after someone she knew hit a $100,000 scratch-off jackpot and was soon flooded with scam calls and strangers begging for money. She pointed out how technology has made it easier for scammers to track and target winners.

“Scammers even harassed her grandparents and her mom,” Baker said. “We owe our winners better protection.”

Here’s what the bill does:

• Keeps winner names private for prizes of $100K or more

• Still discloses the town, county, and prize amount

• Allows winners to opt out of confidentiality if they choose

Importantly, the proposal wouldn’t cost the state a dime, according to Sen. Scott Martin (R-Lancaster), who chairs the Appropriations Committee.

This isn’t Baker’s first push for privacy — a similar bill passed the Senate in 2023 but never reached the House floor.

For over 13 years, the Pennsylvania Lottery has generated more than $1 billion annually for programs supporting the state’s senior citizens — and lawmakers say protecting winners helps keep that success story safe.