Lottery Drawings Produce $6.5 Million in Winnings in March While Scratch-Off Winners Claim $12 Million

From remodeling their kitchen to investing in their family’s business, Louisiana Lottery players had big plans for the more than $12 million in scratch-off prizes claimed in March. The Lottery also reported more than $6.5 million won during drawings held in March.

March’s draw-style game winnings included three Powerball prizes of $10,000 each, three Mega Millions prizes of $5,000 each and one Easy 5 jackpot prize worth $315,920. Lotto winnings totaled $1,017,403. Pick 3 winning tickets totaled $2,071,820 and Pick 4 winning tickets totaled $1,497,700.

Easy 5 prizes totaled $504,875 with an additional $168,452 won in ezmatch prizes, an instant-win option available for an additional $1. 

“Nearly 20,000 Power Play purchasers won a bonus total of $144,187 in addition to their regular Powerball prize,” Lottery President Rose Hudson said, “and nearly 47,000 Megaplier purchasers won a bonus total of $195,780.” The Power Play option offers Powerball players the chance to increase any nonjackpot winnings. The $1 Megaplier add-on option multiplies nonjackpot Mega Millions prizes by a multiplier number selected during the drawing.

In total, draw-style game winnings from drawings held in March were $6,581,195. 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 $12,449,876 in scratch-off cash prizes paid during March, players also claimed $1,925,214 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. A list of current scratch-off games, prizes remaining and claim deadlines can be found on its website, www.louisianalottery.com.

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.

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.