Going public can give lottery winners a chance to relax and enjoy their winnings without having to keep "such a big secret" from friends and family, the National Lottery has said.
It released a statement after Joe and Jess Thwaite from Gloucester revealed their identities after scooping the biggest ever UK lottery win - a whopping £184 million - in the EuroMillions Lottery on May 10.
The pair broke the record for the highest amount won in a lottery game in the UK by more than £14million.
They attended a press conference at Ellenborough Park hotel in Cheltenham to spill the beans on their incredible win this week.
Hundreds of people took to social media to congratulated the pair, who had bought a Lucky Dip ticket on the National Lottery App, but many questioned why people go public with such a big win.
One surprised social media user took to Twitter to say: "I really don’t understand why those who win the lottery choose to publicise themselves especially over social media… cool you won it keep it to yourselves go and live your lives. I don’t think it’s fair on the young children either."
In response, a spokesperson for the National Lottery said: "Taking publicity can give the winner peace of mind and help to manage circulation of the fantastic news.
"People may find out via social media, and winners may not be able to enjoy the experience if they have to keep such a big secret from their friends and family.
"If a winner does decide to go public, Camelot's [National Lottery operators] PR team will organise a press conference and handle all media interests for them so they can enjoy their win and relax!
"It is completely up to the winners as to whether they go public or not... It also stops their friends and family feeling pressured to keep the win a secret too."
A spokesperson continued: "In all consideration, it is a lot of money to conceal.
"People can feel more relieved knowing the knowledge of their win has been shared in a managed, controlled manner, allowing the winner to access their funds more freely without fear of raising suspicion."
Jess, who works as a business manager at a hair salon she runs with her sister, said: "The win gives us time to dream which we haven't had before.
"We’ve had one week to think about this and we now have time to share lots of experiences and go on adventures with our family and friends."
She added her father had played the National Lottery his whole life and always dreamed of winning.
Jess added: "He'd always ask us what we'd do when we won, how we'd spend it, who we'd treat. It was a regular conversation and I feel like he was preparing us!"
Social media is full of messages congratulating the winners.
Among them, Twitter user Caroline Dennehy said: "John and Jess Thwaite seem like gorgeous lovely people. Many Congratulations to them".
Twitter user Lausey B said: "The EuroMillions winners seem absolutely lovely. They thought it was £148k not £148m and were happy with that. Bless them and good luck to them!"
"Amazing news," wrote another. "I always wonder if people actually do win. The power of social media I've never known anyone who's [sic] won big on national lottery. Congratulations to them both."
Some National Lottery players took to social media to suggest changes should be brought in to the game to stop individuals, or pairs, winning such high sums - and suggesting the jackpot should be split up.
"Instead of giving £184,000,000 to a single ticket holder, couldn't the National Lottery give 368 people £500,000 and make more of a difference to society in the UK?" said one lottery player.
"Good luck and fair play to the record breaking EuroMillions winners - but £184,000000 is crazy money! The prize would be better split down to 10 or so winners IMHO [in my honest opinion]," added another.
