Lottery Reports More than $21 Million in Winning Draw-Style Tickets and More than $22.8 Million Claimed from Scratch-off Tickets During September, October and November
Three-month draw-style game winning highlights included two Lotto jackpots totaling $1,712,690, seven Easy 5 jackpots totaling $498,026, five Powerball "match-5" prizes of $200,000 each and 18 Powerball prizes of $10,000 each. Pick 3 prizes totaled $6,270,030 and Pick 4 prizes totaled $3,463,300.
Easy 5 prizes totaled $1,098,743 with an additional $691,224 won in ezmatch prizes. For an additional $1, players can add ezmatch to their Easy 5 ticket for the chance to win up to $250 instantly.
"More than 99,000 Power Play purchasers won a bonus total of $1,382,061 in addition to their regular Powerball prize," 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 total, draw-style game winnings were $6,531,644 in September, $6,710,360 in October and $7,791,438 in November. Lottery draw-style game players have 180 days from the date of the drawing to claim any 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.
The Lottery also reported more than $22.8 million claimed by scratch-off game winners during September, October and November, plus more than $3.9 million worth of free tickets. Taking an Alaskan cruise and purchasing a new home were among the ways winners said they would spend their prize money. 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.
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. 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 in commission, and the Lottery retains less than 10 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.
