The North Carolina Education Lottery told Enlace Latino NC they have no knowledge of any deportation order against the Powerball winner, after rumors surfaced on social media.
The organization also explained the rules for non-citizen participation and the handling of million-dollar prizes. Here's what you need to know.
Rumors about a the winner being deported
Rumors circulating on social media claimed that the Powerball prize winner in Halifax County, North Carolina, had been deported.
However, Adam Owens, a spokesman for the North Carolina Lottery, rejected this version: "The lottery has no knowledge of any deportation order related to the winner."
The lottery also confirmed that the winner of the $209.3 million jackpot has already claimed the prize and has chosen to remain anonymous for 90 days, as permitted by state law.
“The lottery player who won the $209.3 million Powerball jackpot has claimed their prize. The player chose to remain anonymous for 90 days,” Owens told Enlace Latino NC .
“Under state law, when a lottery player in North Carolina wins a prize of $50 million or more, they can choose to keep their identity confidential for up to 90 days after claiming the prize.”
Due to this period of anonymity, there is currently no official source confirming other reports about the winner's immigration status.
Basic requirements to play
To participate in the North Carolina lottery, including games like Powerball, players must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Purchase the ticket in person at an authorized dealer within the state
It may interest you: New rules limit the child tax credit for taxpayers with ITINs: what you need to know
Immigration status and participation
The state lottery rules do not state that a participant must be citizen or legal resident.
“People who are not U.S. citizens can participate in Powerball and other North Carolina Education Lottery games and win the corresponding prizes,” said Owen, a spokesman for the state lottery.
You may be interested in: North Carolina became the top destination for internal migration in the U.S.
Claiming a prize: what really matters
Although there is no prohibition against non-citizens playing or winning, claiming a prize does involve certain requirements, especially tax-related ones.
Prizes of $600 or more must be claimed in person and require valid identification to verify the winner's identity. This may include foreign passports or other official documents.
According to the lottery, the main difference for non-U.S. citizens is related to taxes“The only legal or procedural consideration for people who are not U.S. citizens is that, when claiming prizes of $600 or more, they are subject to higher tax withholdings, as required by Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regulations,” Owen said.
Regardless of immigration status, lottery winnings in the United States are considered income subject to federal and state taxes.
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