Iraqi citizen wins $6.4 Million Oregon lottery

[SparklePixie]

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/man-iraq-wins-6-4-million-oregon-lottery-jackpot-n477441

He purchased the ticket online through some kind of lottery ticket buying service and won. Interesting that in Oregon, the law states you are not able to remain anonymous if you win a large jackpot, though this Iraqi citizen's name is not being disclosed, nor will it be according to officials.

 

[cijay]

I didn't think they could play. When I lived in Turkey, I couldn't play. I could buy the tickets but if it won, someone else had to collect the winnings and the money couldn't leave the country.

 

[soccerdad72]

Interesting. Not that I've ever lived overseas, but I would have never thought there's a service out there where you can buy lottery tickets online. I guess there's a website for everything - I can only imagine what it's like to work for an online company where your sole responsibility is to go to gas stations and buy lottery tickets for people overseas.

 

[RitaE]

I'm trying to imagine what kind of international tax situation that's going to create. How much of his/her winnings is going to go to pay the lawyers to figure that one out?

You can buy tickets online in Illinois through the official state website. Your IP address has to be traceable to within the Illinois boundaries and I think you have to click some box verifying that you are physically in Illinois at purchase.

 

[Hrhpd]

I didn't think they could play. When I lived in Turkey, I couldn't play. I could buy the tickets but if it won, someone else had to collect the winnings and the money couldn't leave the country.

The article says he redeemed the ticket in person.

I have purchased tickets online before and you have to agree that if you win, you must pick up the winnings in person. The company that purchases the tickets for you cannot redeem the winnings for you.

From thelotter .com's terms of service. Note that anything over $2,500, you have to pick up personally unless it is allowed to have thelotter pick up the prize for you. I know in my state, it is not allowed.

11.2.
Jackpots, Locally Taxed Winnings and prizes of more than US$2,500. If you are entitled to a Jackpot,Locally Taxed Winnings or a prize of more than US$2,500, then you are responsible for personally collecting the Prize from the related Lottery Operator in accordance with the section herein entitled 'Direct Prize Collections'. Notwithstanding the foregoing, theLotter may, in its sole discretion, offer to collect the Prize on your behalf from the related Lottery Operator and transfer the Prize to you in accordance with our Prize Collection Service.

 

[EMAW_KSU]

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/man-iraq-wins-6-4-million-oregon-lottery-jackpot-n477441

He purchased the ticket online through some kind of lottery ticket buying service and won. Interesting that in Oregon, the law states you are not able to remain anonymous if you win a large jackpot, though this Iraqi citizen's name is not being disclosed, nor will it be according to officials.

Why is the winner not being named?

 

[SparklePixie]

Why is the winner not being named?

They claim it is for his "safety".

 

[EMAW_KSU]

They claim it is for his "safety".

So I assume the next winner can also have their name not released for "safety".

 

[CPanther95]

The lottery is a tax on people that are horrible at math.

1) There are people horrible at math outside of Oregon.
2) Oregon, and most states, will welcome stupid people from outside the state that are willing to pay that voluntary tax.

 

[RitaE]

They claim it is for his "safety".

I don't know about Oregon but I know Illinois has some sort of clause where if the winners can convince the lottery officials they have a compelling reason for not wanting their names released, then it won't be released to the press. I'm not sure if there's actually ever been a case were they didn't release the names. There have been a few large winners who have managed to hide behind Trusts or have formed a Corporation to claim the money.

 

[cijay]

The article says he redeemed the ticket in person.

I have purchased tickets online before and you have to agree that if you win, you must pick up the winnings in person. The company that purchases the tickets for you cannot redeem the winnings for you.

From thelotter .com's terms of service. Note that anything over $2,500, you have to pick up personally unless it is allowed to have thelotter pick up the prize for you. I know in my state, it is not allowed.

11.2.
Jackpots, Locally Taxed Winnings and prizes of more than US$2,500. If you are entitled to a Jackpot,Locally Taxed Winnings or a prize of more than US$2,500, then you are responsible for personally collecting the Prize from the related Lottery Operator in accordance with the section herein entitled 'Direct Prize Collections'. Notwithstanding the foregoing, theLotter may, in its sole discretion, offer to collect the Prize on your behalf from the related Lottery Operator and transfer the Prize to you in accordance with our Prize Collection Service.

I know, that's why I'm surprised as he's not a citizen and living in Iraq he was able to claim at all.

 

[SparklePixie]

I don't know about Oregon but I know Illinois has some sort of clause where if the winners can convince the lottery officials they have a compelling reason for not wanting their names released, then it won't be released to the press. I'm not sure if there's actually ever been a case were they didn't release the names. There have been a few large winners who have managed to hide behind Trusts or have formed a Corporation to claim the money.

I read the FAQ page on the Oregon lottery site. It says names must be released in order for the people of Oregon to know the winnings are going to a real person. I hope the next big winner points to this example and says "nope, not doing it" and threatens to sue if they do release the name.

 

[okeydokey]

Why is the winner not being named?

I'm sure it is because of the hostility to people from the Middle East in the US right now. I imagine the backlash would be harsh and he fears what will happen to his family if his name is released. I would feel the same way if I were him.

Consider that the title of this threads names him as Iraqi because that is what makes the story compelling.

 

[EMAW_KSU]

I'm sure it is because of the hostility to people from the Middle East in the US right now. I imagine the backlash would be harsh and he fears what will happen to his family if his name is released. I would feel the same way if I were him.

Consider that the title of this threads names him as Iraqi because that is what makes the story compelling.

He does not live in the US.

 

[RitaE]

He does not live in the US.

Wherever he actually lives, he might have valid concerns over other people recognizing he has come into a large sum of US Dollars.

Really I find the story kind of interesting but I'm not angry about it or anything. Actually, I personally feel all large lottery winners should have the ability to not have their names and sudden wealth released in the Press. There have been several bad incidents and nearly all large winners will tell stories of harassment and con artists and frauds trying to get money. This is just an extreme case due to his International status. Unfortunately, there are very few states who make that easy for the winners to avoid.

 

[sunshinehighway]

I don't really see why its a big deal. My guess is the fact that he's from Iraq makes it a bigger story than if he were from Scotland.
I don't really see why anyone would care if his name is released or not.

 

[SparklePixie]

I'm sure it is because of the hostility to people from the Middle East in the US right now. I imagine the backlash would be harsh and he fears what will happen to his family if his name is released. I would feel the same way if I were him.

Consider that the title of this threads names him as Iraqi because that is what makes the story compelling.

He is an Iraqi citizen that lives in Iraq. He traveled to the US from Iraq to claim the prize and will be returning to Iraq.

 

[SparklePixie]

Wherever he actually lives, he might have valid concerns over other people recognizing he has come into a large sum of US Dollars.

Really I find the story kind of interesting but I'm not angry about it or anything. Actually, I personally feel all large lottery winners should have the ability to not have their names and sudden wealth released in the Press. There have been several bad incidents and nearly all large winners will tell stories of harassment and con artists and frauds trying to get money. This is just an extreme case due to his International status. Unfortunately, there are very few states who make that easy for the winners to avoid.

I agree with you, but if every other Oregon lottery winner has to have their name released publicly, then he should have to also.

 

[ChrisFL]

so why is this news?

 

[bcla]

Wherever he actually lives, he might have valid concerns over other people recognizing he has come into a large sum of US Dollars.

Really I find the story kind of interesting but I'm not angry about it or anything. Actually, I personally feel all large lottery winners should have the ability to not have their names and sudden wealth released in the Press. There have been several bad incidents and nearly all large winners will tell stories of harassment and con artists and frauds trying to get money. This is just an extreme case due to his International status. Unfortunately, there are very few states who make that easy for the winners to avoid.

Certainly there have been issues since most states don't require a photo or publicity but do require the name. In California the only absolute requirement is the name of the winner and the name location of the store where the ticket was purchased. That could get interesting, especially with people with similar names in close proximity to the store. Certainly someone could have purchased a ticket far away from where they live, but then others with similar names might be dealing with people tracking them down simply based on the name. If it's a common enough name, I could imagine that several people would be dealing with all the various requests after databases are used to find phone numbers and addresses.

I read about one woman who had a similar name as a lottery winner. She had gotten requests for help as well as a few threats of physical harm. She went as far as to stay with relatives when callers threatened to come and take the "money" from her. The real irony is that even the real winner has to wait weeks (for various procedural issues) before a lottery commission will issue a check, but the name is put out immediately.

http://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2011/05/07/Similar-name-yields-calls-for-Lotto-winner/85241304751600/