Public won’t know big Florida lottery winners under bill passed

This file photo shows a 46-year-old Altamonte Springs man who won $1 million from a scratch-off game at Wawa, according to the Florida Lottery. (Florida Lottery)

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – People who win $250,000 or more in the Florida Lottery could choose to keep their identities secret for 90 days under a bill that the Senate sent to Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday.

The Senate passed the bill on a 37-1 vote. Supporters have cited cases where large lottery winners were killed or harmed after their identities were released when claiming their prize.

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Coincidentally, on the same day the bill passed, the Florida Lottery sent out a news release that identified a New Jersey woman who claimed a $1 million prize.

The House passed the bill on a 114-1 vote two weeks ago.