Lottery Reports More Than $6.4 Million in Winning Draw-Style Tickets and More Than $6.1 Million Claimed from Scratch-off Tickets During December

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The Louisiana Lottery Corporation reported more than $6.4 million in winning tickets for its draw-style games during December, highlighted by three Easy 5 jackpot-winning tickets worth $114,479, $60,000 and $50,000.  Also during the same month, scratch-off players claimed more than $6.1 million in cash prizes.

December's winning draw-style tickets totaled $6,419,020, which included one Powerball prize of $200,000, 11 Powerball prizes of $10,000 each and 118 "match-5" Lotto prizes averaging $2,224.  Pick 3 prizes totaled $1,772,110 and Pick 4 prizes totaled $1,193,600.  Easy 5 prizes totaled $434,427 with an additional $364,618 won in ezmatch prizes. For a limited time and for an additional $1, players can add ezmatch to their Easy 5 ticket for the chance to win up to $250 instantly.  Lottery draw-style game players have 180 days from the date of the drawing to claim their winnings.

"Last month, more than 23,000 Power Play purchasers won a bonus total of $642,059 in addition to their regular Powerball prize.  This included one player who multiplied his prize by three to win $600,000," Lottery President Rose Hudson said.  For an additional $1, the Power Play option offers Powerball ticket purchasers the chance to multiply any nonjackpot-related prize up to five times depending upon the Power Play multiplier number randomly selected during the drawing.

In addition to the $6,156,508 in scratch-off cash prizes paid during December, players also claimed $1,279,399 worth of free tickets. Scratch-off players have 90 days from the official game closure date to claim a winning ticket.

While actual game performance and the amount of prizes claimed will vary from month to month, the Lottery allocates at least 50 percent of sales to fund prizes, with 35 percent of sales transferred to the state treasury for the Minimum Foundation Program that funds public education in Louisiana. Retailers are paid at least 5 percent in commission and the Lottery retains less than 10 percent of sales to operate.

"We encourage players to sign the back of their tickets after purchasing and to check them promptly after the drawing. Even if a ticket doesn't win the jackpot, it might possibly have won a smaller prize," Hudson added.

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.