Lottery Scratch-off Winners Claim $8.1 Million in November, While Drawing Games Produce $5.9 Million in Winnings

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Buying a new car, investing in home repairs and purchasing Christmas gifts are just some of the ways winners of the Louisiana Lottery's scratch-off games planned to spend the more than $8.1 million in prizes claimed during November. The Lottery also reported more than $5.9 million won from draw-style game tickets for drawings held in November.

November's draw-style game winnings included an Easy 5 jackpot totaling $289,207, 10 Powerball prizes of $10,000 each and 157 match-5 Lotto prizes averaging $1,955 each. Pick 3 winning tickets totaled $1,597,100, and Pick 4 winning tickets totaled $1,329,300.

Easy 5 prizes totaled $503,792 with an additional $222,409 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 36,000 Power Play purchasers won a bonus total of $341,561 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 increase any nonjackpot-related prize up to five times.

In total, draw-style game winnings from drawings held in November were $5,928,486. Lottery draw-style game players have 180 days from the date of the drawing to claim the 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.

In addition to $8,198,321 in scratch-off cash prizes paid during November, players also claimed $1,339,275 worth of free ticket prizes. 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.

A list of current scratch-off games, prizes remaining and claim deadlines for the Lottery's draw-style games can be found on its website.
 
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.