COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina has long been one of a handful of states where lottery winners can remain anonymous unless they choose to come forward, but that practice is receiving increased scrutiny thanks to a decision from the state’s highest court.
The Supreme Court earlier this month sided with a man who sought winners’ names and contact information from the Lottery Commission.
The entity sued the man, and a court agreed it didn’t have to release the information.
Last week, justices ruled the broad injunction was improper.
The decision could turn on its head a longstanding anonymity practice by the state Lottery Commission, which has successfully fought off previous open-records requests about winners.
At least 11 states allow anonymity to lottery winners.
