Gus from PA Lottery is the official mascot of the Pennsylvania Lottery, who has been appearing in the state’s lottery advertising since 1988. Gus is a jackrabbit with a bright green jacket, and he uses his magical powers to help people win lottery games and make their dreams come true.
He often appears at state Lottery events and community gatherings, bringing fun and helping Pennsylvanians learn how to enter lottery games and enjoy their prizes. Gus is an ambassador for the Pennsylvania Lottery, and he wants people to have a positive relationship with gambling and understand the odds of winning before playing.
With Gus’ help, PA Lottery players have sent hundreds of millions of dollars in lottery profits to the state for programs for seniors and problem gambling prevention, and new grants and scholarships for students.
Where does Gus the groundhog live?
Gus the groundhog lives in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Punxsutawney is a borough located in western Jefferson County. Every year on February 2nd, known as Groundhog Day, thousands of people gather in Punxsutawney to witness the most famous groundhog in the world, Gus, make his prediction about the upcoming weather.
If he sees his shadow, it is believed that winter will continue for another 6 weeks. If he does not see his shadow, it is believed that an early spring is coming.
Does the PA Lottery app tell you if you win?
Yes – the PA Lottery app is designed to help make it easy to check your lottery tickets and see if you have won. The app will give you a notification if you have won a prize, and you can immediately claim it through the app.
This can be done by either taking a picture of your ticket and uploading it to the app or by entering the individual ticket code. You can also view draws and find out the winning combinations of numbers after each draw, with the app displaying all of the available prize information.
The app also includes a “My Wins” page to keep track of all the tickets that have won you prizes. This page will quickly and easily show how much you have won, how many secondary prizes you have won, and the value of any tickets that are pending prizes.
Can pa lottery winners remain anonymous?
The laws regarding anonymity of Pennsylvania Lottery winners vary based on the specific lottery game. For most games, winners do have the right to remain anonymous, but certain games (eg: Cash4Life and Powerball) require the winners’ identities to be disclosed publicly for legal reasons.
Pennsylvania law does not permit the remaining anonymous for prize amounts over $250,000, and in some scenarios, winners may need to provide their identity to the Pennsylvania Lottery for legal verification and prize fulfillment.
When a winner wishes to remain anonymous, a revocable trust can be utilized in conjunction with the applicable rules of the Pennsylvania Lottery. A trust allows for a third party, such as an attorney, to be appointed to receive the check on the winner’s behalf, which preserves the anonymity of the winner.
However, anonymously claiming a prize may be illegal in certain circumstances and can have serious legal repercussions. As such, it is strongly recommended that winners work with a reputable and experienced attorney before claiming a prize.
What is the first thing you should do if you win the lottery?
If I were to win the lottery, the first thing I would do is consult a lawyer and a financial adviser. It is important to engage with these professionals as soon as possible, so that I can understand the financial and legal implications of my lottery win, and get the advice I need to make the best decisions for my future financial security.
I would also ensure to claim the money in a safe and secure manner, and investigate any tax implications associated with my winnings. Once that is taken care of, I could begin to plan out how I would like to use my winnings – whether it be investing, donating to charity or pursuing my own personal goals.
Ultimately, it would be important to ensure that I am making decisions that are best for me and my family’s future.
How much taxes do you pay on lottery winnings in PA?
If you win the lottery in Pennsylvania, the total amount of taxes you will owe depends on the size of your prize and your overall tax liability. State taxes on lottery winnings are collected at a flat 4.
07%, with additional taxes imposed depending on your personal situation. Winnings over $5,000 may also be subject to federal taxes of up to 39. 6%, and if you choose to receive your jackpot prize as an annuity, you may owe taxes on each installment as you receive them.
Additionally, if you are claiming a large prize and reside in one of the 24 jurisdictions in the state that imposes an additional local wage tax, you may owe additional taxes. Finally, if you win a prize over a certain amount, the Pennsylvania Lottery may report your winnings to the Internal Revenue Service and you could be liable for submitting the information on a 1040 form.
So, any lottery wins you receive in Pennsylvania will require careful consideration of all applicable taxes before you can accurately determine the total tax liability you owe.
How can I hide my identity after winning the lottery?
If you have won the lottery, it can be tempting to let the world know about it but it is important to consider the safety of your identity and your money before doing so. Here are some steps you can take to help protect your identity and your newfound wealth after winning the lottery:
1. Stay anonymous: Depending on where you bought the ticket, you may be able to remain anonymous. Some states allow winners to keep their identity private. Investigate your state’s rules about winners’ identities and take steps to ensure that your identity remains anonymous or that you are not given away by any friends or family members.
2. Keep quiet: Don’t tell friends, family members, or even your closest confidants about the win. Consider limiting yourself to only the necessary people you need to tell, such as a lawyer or financial advisor.
Canvass the team you need, who can help you with the legal and financial side of the win, but don’t tell them too much either.
3. Get legal advice: Get a good financial advisor or lawyer to help you manage the process of receiving and cashing out the win and set up a trust to help with anonymity.
4. Prepare before cashing out: Plot out your strategy and have a clear understanding of where the money will be going and how you’re going to use it. Many winners opt for an annuity payment plan, which pays out the money in tems over a long period of time, versus one lump sum which can draw too much attention.
5. Be vigilant about your security: Once you have your winnings, take preventive steps to protect yourself and your winnings from scams and hacks. Secure access to your bank accounts and review your accounts regularly for any unexpected or suspicious activity.
Change any passwords you use often, including social media accounts, and be sure to review your credit reports for accuracy and to ensure that your identity is secure.
Can trust claim lottery winnings in Pennsylvania?
Yes, you can trust claim lottery winnings in Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Lottery allows you to appoint a third-party to claim a prize on your behalf. This means you can appoint a trust to be the claimant of the prize.
In order to complete this process, you must submit a signed and notarized Authorization to Release Winnings form that includes the trust’s name, address, and other identifying information, as well as the signatures of the trustee, winning claimant and notary.
The form must also be accompanied by a copy of the trust’s Tax Identification Number (TIN). Once the claim is processed, the Lottery will issue a check in the name of the trust entity. Before claiming a prize, you should consult a qualified attorney for legal advice, as you will be required to pay any applicable state and federal taxes.
Which states allow anonymous lottery winners?
The rules surrounding anonymous lottery winners vary by state. At the time of this writing, the following states allow lottery winners to remain anonymous: Alaska, Delaware, Kansas, Maryland, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas, and Wyoming.
Some states also provide the option of claiming a prize through a trust or limited liability company (LLC).
Alaska is one of the most accommodating states when it comes to anonymity, allowing winners to remain anonymous without the use of other legal entities. In Delaware, an anonymous lottery winner must claim their prize through a trust.
In Kansas, the lottery winner’s identity only must be made public if a media organization requests such information.
In Maryland, players are allowed to remain anonymous but must form a limited liability company and have that company claim their prize to remain anonymous. Ohio does not allow anonymity in most cases.
However, winners can claim their prize through a trust that does not show their identity and still remain anonymous. In South Carolina, lottery winners must create a trust to remain anonymous.
Texas is incredibly open to lottery winners wanting to remain anonymous. These winners must create a trust and are not required to produce any public records regarding their identity. Wyoming also allows winners to remain anonymous by claiming prizes through a trust.
Overall, the rules that govern anonymous lottery winners vary by state. Before claiming a prize, it is important to research your state’s rules and regulations so that you can be aware of the options available to you.
Who is on the PA Lottery commercial?
The Pennsylvania Lottery’s most recent commercial features “Big Winner!” Bob, a fictitious character who represents all of the Lottery’s big winners. He is engaging, energetic, and outgoing as he dances, shouts, and celebrates his big win.
Bob is a senior citizen who, in the commercial, is joyfully celebrating his luck, happiness, and accomplishment of hitting the big jackpot. Throughout the commercial, he encourages viewers to play the Pennsylvania Lottery and shares his big win with all of his friends.
He is seen wearing bright and colorful clothing, throwing his hands up in the air, and shouting at the top of his lungs in celebration of his newfound riches. The commercial displays all the fun and excitement that comes with winning with the Pennsylvania Lottery.
Is Punxsutawney Phil married?
No, Punxsutawney Phil is not married. Punxsutawney Phil is a groundhog who is a resident of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Every February 2nd, the groundhog awakens from his burrow and is presented to the townspeople, in front of a large crowd, who are gathered to witness Phil’s prognostication of the upcoming weather.
Phil is not married and has no known “ladyfriend” or “groundhog mate” either. Instead, every year Phil is presented with a proclamation from the Inner Circle, who are a group of top-hatted men who organize the event every year.
This proclamation honors Phil as the official Groundhog Day meteorologist and is delivered with much pomp and circumstance, including a very large ovation from the assembled crowd.
Is the original Punxsutawney Phil still alive?
No, the original Punxsutawney Phil is no longer alive. He was a groundhog who lived at the Punxsutawney Groundhog Zoo in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania and served as the official “Punxsutawney Phil” from 1887 to his death in 1899.
He was replaced with a look-alike groundhog as his successor, and this tradition has continued since. To commemorate the original Punxsutawney Phil, his stuffed remains have been on display at the Punxsutawney Groundhog Zoo since his death.
He is often referred to today as the “original Punxsutawney Phil” to differentiate him from his many successors over the years.
Who is the most famous groundhog in the US?
The most famous groundhog in the United States is Punxsutawney Phil, located near Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Every February 2nd, thousands of people gather in Punxsutawney to celebrate Groundhog Day and to find out if Punxsutawney Phil will see his shadow and predict six more weeks of winter.
The tradition of Groundhog Day dates back to the 1800s, when a group of people, the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club, declared Punxsutawney Phil the most famous groundhog in the US. On Groundhog Day, people dress in costume and hold a celebration to welcome Punxsutawney Phil as he emerges from his burrow.
At the celebration, America’s most famous groundhog Phil is called upon to predict whether or not spring will arrive early and relieve the cold winter. If Phil sees his shadow and predicts six more weeks of winter, then spring will come late; however, if Phil does not see his shadow, then spring will arrive sooner.
After the big reveal, plenty of food, music, and festivities follow to honor Phil. Groundhog Day has become a celebrated event for the U. S. and for Americans the world over, and the tradition has only grown with time.
What language does Punxsutawney Phil speak?
Punxsutawney Phil’s exact language is unknown, however it is believed he speaks some form of Groundhogese, which is an amalgamation of various languages and dialects of the Upper Ohio Valley. This combination of language is thought to be what Punxsutawney Phil speaks when he predicts the upcoming weather during Groundhog Day.
Groundhogese is the local language of the Groundhog Club and is only spoken on the morning of February 2nd, extending to the club’s subsequent festivities. The dialect, which is said to be a difficult combination of various languages, includes elements of both English and German, but is highly mixed and constantly evolving.
Reportedly, the club members and followers of the tradition are the only people able to understand and interpret the Groundhogese language accurately.
Which state Punxsutawney Phil is from?
Punxsutawney Phil is a celebrity groundhog from Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Every February, thousands of people make their way to Gobbler’s Knob, a tiny hillside in Punxsutawney, to witness Phil make his spring predictions.
Phil, who was said to be over 100 years old, is the star of the famed Groundhog Day celebration, an event that was introduced in Punxsutawney in 1886. According to folklore, if Phil sees his shadow and returns to his burrow on Groundhog Day, winter will last for six more weeks.
If he does not see his shadow, it means that spring will come early. Punxsutawney Phil is one of several Pennsylvania groundhogs that take part in Groundhog Day festivities, but he is the most famous one since he was chosen by the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club on February 2, 1887, to forecast the weather.