Oklahoma lottery winnings can be garnished

Dec 9, 2005, 12:06 pm (10 comments)

Oklahoma Lottery

Oklahoma lottery winnings can be garnished from people owing delinquent child support, a state commission has decided.

The Oklahoma Commission for Human Services approved a rule Tuesday in support of the Department of Human Services, which is also talking with horse racetracks and American Indian casinos to institute a system of cross-checking winners for unpaid debts to the state, said Gary Dart, director of DHS's child support enforcement division.

"Other states have seen success with general sports collections because in most cases we are trying to capture a lump sum from someone who has really gotten behind," he said.

Dart said lottery winnings are a major source of child support collections in states with established games.

"This could be a big deal as the lottery grows," he said.

The DHS has already been trying to capture lottery winnings for back child support, but the new rule will allow greater enforcement and an appeals process.

Dart said several winners so far have been flagged by the Oklahoma Lottery Commission.

One of the first $5,000 winners in the state had to relinquish all of his winnings when it was discovered he owed more than $7,000 in child support, Dart said.

Currently, the lottery commission manually checks a winner's name to determine if he or she owes the state child support. Dart said the entire system eventually will be in a database, so delinquent winners will be found automatically with a search.

Only people who win $600 or more — therefore collecting their winnings through the lottery commission and not a retailer — will be checked, said the lottery commission's executive director, Jim Scroggins.

AP

Comments

Chewie

I thought that was the policy on most states.  NY/nj say it is their policy on the web site.

I don't have a problem with the concept.  You made it, you pay for it.

demonter

I thought every state did that? Now, another one does. I NY they take back welfare payments made to the new Lottery winner too. Does that sound a bit harsh? Well, I guess a millionaire can't whine and look a gift horse in the mouth.

Iesha Kelly

so that's why they say get your financial together before cashing in a win....

justxploring's avatarjustxploring

I don't feel sorry for the guy. Most of the time, anyone who owes that much in child support should be in jail. He's lucky the only penalty was to collect the back pay.No Pity!

konane's avatarkonane

I thought that was the policy on most states.  NY/nj say it is their policy on the web site.

I don't have a problem with the concept.  You made it, you pay for it.

  I Agree!  

 

To my knowledge it's been policy in Georgia since the lottery's inception.

CASH Only

I thought that was the policy on most states.  NY/nj say it is their policy on the web site.

I don't have a problem with the concept.  You made it, you pay for it.

  I Agree!  

 

To my knowledge it's been policy in Georgia since the lottery's inception.

NY started only in the last few years IIRC. I don't remember exactly when.

truecritic's avatartruecritic

The part I object to, is the fact that the Government can create laws unique only to them.

What if the person owes you money instead of the Government?  Think you have rat's ass chance of collecting?  Hell no!  Government does nothing but bully people and suck money from people.  They should have to go through the same rules anyone else does for collecting what they think is owed to them.

 

wreakshavok777's avatarwreakshavok777

I believe oklahoma leads the nation in deadbeat dads!....hmm maybe why pick3 sales are lagging?......just a thoughtWhat?

nelliemw

hope my ex-husband wins because he owes me 22,396.00 in back due child support and i sure could use it.

Chewie

The part I object to, is the fact that the Government can create laws unique only to them.

What if the person owes you money instead of the Government?  Think you have rat's ass chance of collecting?  Hell no!  Government does nothing but bully people and suck money from people.  They should have to go through the same rules anyone else does for collecting what they think is owed to them.

 

It is why they are called the government.  If they didn't have all the perks, the members would be out working for a living.

End of comments
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