Lottery Drawings Produce $7 Million in Winnings in December While Scratch-Off Winners Claim $14.1 Million

From moving to investing, Louisiana Lottery players had several plans for some of the $14.1 million in scratch-off prizes claimed in December. The Lottery also reported more than $7 million won during drawings held in December.

December’s draw-style game winnings included six $50,000 Powerball prizes and three Mega Millions prizes worth $5,000 each. A $500,000 Lotto jackpot was won to bring the game’s total winnings to $1,121,019. Pick 3 winning tickets totaled $1,958,840 and Pick 4 winning tickets totaled $1,760,000.

A $352,277 Easy 5 jackpot was won to bring the game’s total to $531,213 with an additional $146,149 won on ezmatch, an instant-win option available for an additional $1. 

“More than 31,000 Power Play purchasers won a bonus total of $194,038 in addition to their regular Powerball prize,” Lottery President Rose Hudson said, “and more than 30,000 Megaplier purchasers won a bonus total of $144,323.” The Power Play option offers Powerball players the chance to increase any nonjackpot winnings. The $1 Megaplier add-on multiplies nonjackpot Mega Millions prizes by a multiplier number selected during the drawing.

In total, draw-style game winnings from drawings held in December were $7,058,798. Lottery draw-style game players have 180 days from the date of the drawing to claim the winnings from those tickets.

“We encourage players to sign the back of their tickets immediately after purchasing and to check them promptly after the drawing. Even if a ticket does not win the jackpot, it could have won another prize,” Hudson added.

In addition to $14,189,666 in scratch-off cash prizes paid during December, players also claimed $2,105,041 worth of free-ticket prizes. According to Lottery policy, scratch-off games are closed when all top prizes are claimed, and scratch-off players have 90 days from the official game closure date to redeem a winning ticket. A list of current scratch-off games, prizes remaining and claim deadlines can be found on its website, www.louisianalottery.com/scratch-offs.

While actual game performance and the amount of prizes claimed will vary from month to month, the Lottery allocates nearly 53 percent of sales to fund prizes. At least 35 percent of sales is transferred to the state treasury for the Minimum Foundation Program that funds K-12 public education in Louisiana. Retailers are paid at least 5 percent compensation, and the Lottery retains approximately 6 percent of sales to operate.

Hudson reminded ticket purchasers to play responsibly, encouraging anyone who has a gambling problem, or friends and family of anyone with a gambling problem, to call toll-free 1-877-770-7867 for help.  Ticket purchasers must be at least 21 years of age.