Lottery Drawings Produce $16.7 Million in Winnings in January While Scratch-Off Winners Claim $14.1 Million

From saving to purchasing a new home, Louisiana Lottery players had several plans for some of the $14.1 million in scratch-off prizes claimed in January. The Lottery also reported more than $16.7 million won during drawings held in January.

January's draw-style game winnings included three match-5 $1 million winners, 24 $50,000 match-4 + PB winners and three Powerball plus Power Play prizes that totaled $350,000. Powerball prizes for the month amounted to more than $8 million. One Mega Millions prize worth $5,000 and 32 match-4 winners totaling $16,000 helped to bring the game's monthly total to $212,665. A $425,000 Lotto jackpot was won and the game's total winnings were $1,224,287. Pick 3 winning tickets totaled $2,211,020 and Pick 4 winning tickets totaled $2,265,000.

A $140,630 Easy 5 jackpot was won to bring the game's total to $312,652 with an additional $168,660 won on ezmatch, an instant-win option available for an additional $1. 

"More than 144,000 Power Play purchasers won a bonus total of $1,223,452 in addition to their regular Powerball prize," Lottery President Rose Hudson said, "and more than 34,000 Megaplier purchasers won a bonus total of $211,029." 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 January were $16,708,503. 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 $14,121,920 in scratch-off cash prizes paid during January, players also claimed $2,123,532 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.