Louisiana Lottery Reports More Than $8.3 Million in Winning Draw-Style Tickets & More Than $6.5 Million Claimed from Scratch-Off Tickets during April

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Landscaping projects, home decorating and charitable donations are just a few of the ways winners of the Louisiana Lottery's draw-style games plan to spend the more than $8.3 million won in April. The Louisiana Lottery also reported more than $6.5 million in winning tickets claimed from scratch-off games last month.

April's draw-style game winnings included two Easy 5 jackpot prizes totaling $291,496, three "match-5" Powerball prizes of $200,000 each, seven Powerball prizes of $10,000 each, and 159 "match-5" Lotto prizes averaging $2,040 each. Pick 3 prizes totaled $1,765,780 and Pick 4 prizes totaled $1,859,400.

Easy 5 prizes totaled $473,907 with an additional $240,877 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. 
"Over 34,000 Power Play purchasers won a bonus total of $1,193,436 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. So far, The Louisiana Lottery has had three $1 million Powerball winners in the last three drawings with those players opting to purchase the Power Play add-on.

In total, draw-style game winnings were $8,365,412 in April. Lottery draw-style game players have 180 days from the date of the drawing to claim any winnings.

 "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.

In addition to $6,545,474 in scratch-off cash prizes paid during April, players also claimed $1,323,522 worth of free tickets. Scratch-off players have 90 days from the official game closure date to redeem a winning ticket. According to Lottery policy, scratch-off games are closed when all top prizes are claimed.

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 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.