Lottery Player Watches Saints Break Atlanta’s Winning Streak

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Walking onto the Mercedes-Benz Superdome turf Sunday morning before the New Orleans Saints game against Atlanta, James A. Spencer "got goosebumps even where they shouldn't be!" That's because the Bossier City resident's non-winning $5 I LOVE MY SAINTS scratch-off ticket was selected as a Louisiana Lottery 2012 Saints Prize Package winner from among roughly 18,000 entries in the scratch-off's second second-chance drawing.

Even though he's been a Saints fan since 1970 after waiting in the Shreveport Woolco's parking lot to get former kicker Tom Dempsey's autograph, this was the first time Spencer ever attended a Saints game, and what a game to attend. As part of his prize, Spencer received four Plaza Club Sideline tickets to watch the Saints break Atlanta's winning streak.  The prize package also included pregame field passes for his party, a parking pass, overnight hotel accommodations, a $200 dinner allotment and $500 spending cash.

After learning that he was the Lottery's second-chance winner, Spencer said he "made a lot of friends, but family comes first" when choosing who to bring with him. He attended the game with his wife, Joana Spencer, his daughter and son-in law, Jasmine and Victor Ramirez, also of Bossier City.

In addition to Spencer's prize, 10 Official Autographed Saints Merchandise Prizes were also awarded during the second-chance drawing held Oct. 16. Melissa S. Ambrose of Avondale, Phillip Talor of West Monroe and Teresa C. Harris of Prairieville each won an autographed Saints helmet. Roy Wright of Greenwood, Nancee Searcy of Brandon, Miss., and Margaret Davis of New Orleans each won an autographed Saints jersey. Gerald Saucier of Baton Rouge, Jessica Cote of Bossier City and John M. Cheramie of Galliano each won an autographed football. Daniel Worley of Livonia won a pair of autographed Saints football gloves.

The Lottery reminds players that the deadline for its third I LOVE MY SAINTS second-chance drawing is Monday, Nov. 19. During the next drawing, 10 entries will be selected to win an official Saints autographed helmet, football, jersey or gloves. In addition, one winner will be selected to receive a 2012 Saints Prize Package to the Saints vs. Tampa Bay game on Dec. 16.

To enter the second-chance drawing, players should complete the information on the back of non-winning $5 I LOVE MY SAINTS scratch-off tickets and mail one ticket per envelope no larger than 4.5" by 9.5" to the drawing address printed on the back of the ticket. The entry must arrive at the second-chance drawing address by the Nov. 19 deadline to be entered into the third drawing; otherwise, it will be entered into the fourth and final drawing. Players can enter as many times as they wish, but each entry should be mailed in a separate envelope.

The Louisiana Lottery is solely responsible for administering the game and second-chance drawings. Lottery ticket purchasers and second-chance drawing entrants must be at least 21 years of age.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available by calling 1-877-770-7867. For security purposes, the Lottery encourages players to sign the back of their tickets immediately after purchasing.