Most states Do NOT allow being on tv to be "Optional" as it is MANDATORY per their laws, only in some state can you opt to remain anonymous and out of the global/world public eye. This information is readily found easily online through Google or similar search methods.

The amount usually shown is the Annuity value, most take the lump sump which is the actual amount of money on hand, then from that you have nearly 40% being taken by the IRS (Federal Govt) and then there is the individual state tax which varies by state from 0 to nearly 9%. Those of you saying claiming that your winnings are tax free are correct in a way, the tax is paid when you buy the tickets/vouchers and then when you bank it and it gains interest. No States tax the purchase of said tickets/vouchers when you buy it only when the winners collect their piece.

Washington is not an anonymity state. But it's a no income tax state

but they pay tax on that useless shit and the money goes back to the community....

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@@Twapandula60 thank you very much.

35% (Pre 2012 and other years), 37% (current), or 39.6% (2012? or 2013-2017, also earlier along with the 35% rate, history of the rates can easily be found online) to the IRS is worse than NYC Tax atop NY state level tax bring the total in tax to around 50%. I live in a state where they only takes 5% along with the IRS FY rate.

Ouch 😳