Eunice Man Wins Top Prize of $200,000 on Lottery Scratch-Off

Every time Kevin Johnwell Sr. plays a Louisiana Lottery scratch-off game, he likes to scratch the winning numbers before he reveals the remaining numbers on his ticket one by one. His playing method was less routine when he realized he won $200,000 on the Louisiana Lottery $10 scratch-off $200,000 Ruby 7s on Dec. 18.

“When I started scratching the prizes, I saw big numbers,” Johnwell said. “When I saw I matched $200,000 I couldn’t believe it. I said: ‘Is this really real?’”

Once winning the top prize had finally sunk in, Johnwell called his wife Christina to tell her the news; she was quick to suspect her husband was pulling her leg.

“He told me he won a lot of money and I asked him if he was serious,” Christina Johnwell said with a laugh.

Kevin Johnwell Sr. purchased his winning ticket at Brownie’s in Eunice and received $140,000 after federal and state tax withholdings.

Lottery ticket purchasers must be at least 21 years of age. Scratch-off games are closed when all of the top prizes in a game have been claimed, when all of the tickets in a game have been substantially sold or at the discretion of the Lottery's president. Scratch-off prizes must be claimed within 90 days of the announced closure of the game.

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