Greensburg Resident Claims Final $200,000 Top Prize on Scratch-Off Game

When Natasha Melton of Greensburg took her lunch break and bought an Emerald Green 7s scratch-off ticket, she had no idea that she was about to win the final $200,000 top prize for that game.  "I called my family to tell them, and I couldn't talk," she explained. 

"My aunt just kept saying 'tell us what's going on.'"  Melton then left work for the day, and her family accompanied her to the Louisiana Lottery's headquarters where she claimed $200,000.

"I liked the ticket the first time I saw it," said Melton, age 31.  "I have won prizes in the past on two other Emerald Green 7s tickets," She purchased her winning ticket at the Min Hui Mart on Main Street in LaPlace. Melton said she plans to use her winnings to pay bills.

All top prizes have been claimed for Emerald Green 7s, and the Lottery has closed the $10 scratch-off game as of Jan. 8, 2008.  According to Louisiana Lottery Corporation policy, players must claim prizes from scratch-offs with 90 days of the official closure of the game, which is May 7, 2008 for Emerald Green 7s.

Persons must be at least 21 years of age to purchase a Lottery ticket.  The Lottery encourages anyone who has a gambling problem or friends and family of anyone with a gambling problem to call toll-free 1-877-770-7867.