Ernest Oliver admitted he had stopped playing Lotto for a while but decided to give the game another try after the Louisiana Lottery launched its Lotto Lagniappe promotion last month. Although Oliver’s free Lotto Lagniappe entry didn’t win a prize in the April 1 promotional raffle drawing, the Lotto ticket he purchased to receive the entry ended up matching all six numbers in the April 2 Lotto drawing, winning him the $1,725,000 jackpot prize.  

 

The 64-year-old Metairie resident said he initially won $51 in the March 26 Lotto drawing by matching four of the six Lotto numbers. He used some of those winnings to purchase the Quick Pick ticket that made him Louisiana’s newest millionaire.

 

Oliver received $1,218,676 after state and federal tax withholdings. The winning ticket was sold at Danny and Clyde’s #19 on Citrus Boulevard in New Orleans. The store will receive a bonus of $17,250, which is 1 percent of the prize, for selling Oliver the jackpot-winning ticket.

 

Oliver said he plans to continue playing Lotto during the Lotto Lagniappe promotion which lasts until the end of June.  During this time, when players purchase a single-draw $5 Lotto ticket, they get a little something extra – an entry into a raffle drawing worth up to $50,000 cash. With each eligible $5 single-draw Lotto ticket purchase, a second "entry" ticket prints with a unique raffle number good for the next monthly Lotto Lagniappe drawing. Lotto Lagniappe entry tickets feature a unique seven-digit raffle number which must match exactly a winning number drawn to win a prize. The first drawing was held April 1. The next drawings will be held May 1, June 1 and July 1 from all raffle entries generated in the previous month.

 

Lottery ticket purchasers must be at least 21 years of age. Draw-style game tickets must be claimed within 180 days of the drawing. Anyone who may have a gambling problem or friends and family of anyone with a gambling problem should call toll free 1-877-770-7867 for help.

 

For security purposes, the Lottery strongly encourages players to sign the back of their tickets immediately after purchasing. More information about other Lotto Lagniappe, Lotto and other jackpot winners can be found on the Lottery’s website, www.louisianalottery.com.