Legislative Analysis
Phone: (517) 373-8080
ANONYMOUS LOTTERY WINNERS http://www.house.mi.gov/hfa
House Bill 4048 as reported from committee Analysis available at
Sponsor: Rep. Pat Outman http://www.legislature.mi.gov
Committee: Regulatory Reform
Complete to 10-10-23
SUMMARY:
House Bill 4048 would amend the McCauley-Traxler-Law-Bowman-McNeely Lottery Act
to prohibit the lottery commissioner, or an officer or employee of the Michigan Bureau of
State Lottery, from disclosing the name, address, or any other personal information of an
individual who has won a prize in a multistate lottery game (such as Powerball or Mega
Millions) unless that individual agrees in writing to the disclosure.
Currently, the commissioner or an officer or employee of the bureau may disclose the
name, address, or any other personal information concerning a winner of a prize awarded
under a game played pursuant to a joint enterprise to the extent required under the joint
enterprise participation agreement. By comparison, the information of an individual who
has won a prize of greater than $10,000 in the state lottery may not be disclosed unless that
individual agrees in writing to the disclosure.
As used in the act, joint enterprise means any lottery activity in which the bureau
participates pursuant to a written agreement between the state of Michigan and any
state, territory, country, or other sovereignty as executed by the commissioner. The
term does not include the state lottery created under the act.
The bill would also make other technical, nonsubstantive changes.
MCL 432.25
BACKGROUND:
The bill is similar to House Bill 4218 of the 2021-22 session, which was passed by the
House of Representatives. 1
According to committee testimony, eleven other states have already protected winners of
multistate games from having their identities disclosed. Supporters of the bill argue that
guarding winners’ privacy can help to protect against threats, scams, and even the
possibility of physical violence against winners.
1
http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?2021-HB-4218
House Fiscal Agency Page 1 of 2
FISCAL IMPACT:
The bill would have an indeterminate fiscal impact on lottery revenues and subsequent
distributions to the School Aid Fund. Any fiscal impact estimate would depend on
assumptions related to the bill’s effect on lottery sales. According to the Michigan Bureau
of State Lottery, the bill would reduce the bureau’s ability to generate publicity and
advertise prizes won for multistate games (Mega Millions, Powerball, and Lucky for Life).
The Bureau of State Lottery has indicated that this would likely reduce sales, thereby
reducing the annual distribution to the School Aid Fund. As background, the distribution
to the School Aid Fund from lottery sales is estimated to be $1.2 billion in FY 2022-23.
There would be no administrative costs to the Bureau of State Lottery associated with the
changes required under the bill.
POSITIONS:
The Michigan Lottery indicated opposition to the bill. (10-3-23)
Legislative Analyst: Alex Stegbauer
Fiscal Analyst: Viola Bay Wild
■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency staff for use by House members in their
deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.
House Fiscal Agency HB 4048 as reported Page 2 of 2


Statutes affected:
House Introduced Bill: 432.25
As Passed by the House: 432.25