9/11/2007 - 11:27 AM

Lottery Reports More Than $10.4 Million Won in Draw-style Games and More Than $6 Million Claimed from Scratch-off Tickets During August

The Louisiana Lottery Corporation reported more than $10.4 million in winning tickets for its draw-style games during August, highlighted by a Lotto ticket that won a $475,000 jackpot and six match-5 Powerball tickets worth a combined $2.2 million.  Also during the same month, scratch-off players claimed more than $6 million in cash prizes.

August's winning draw-style tickets totaled $10,416,087, which included 26 Powerball prizes of $10,000 each and 157 match-5 Lotto prizes averaging $2,091 each.  Pick 3 prizes totaled $2,574,000, Pick 4 prizes totaled $1,430,300 and Cash Quest prizes totaled $163,198.  Lottery draw-style game players have 180 days from the date of the drawing to claim their winnings.

"Last month, more than 41,000 Power Play purchasers won a bonus total of $1,493,181 in addition to their regular Powerball prize.  This included two players who multiplied their prize by three to win $600,000 each and another player whose prize was doubled to win $400,000," 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.

In addition to the $6,040,977 in scratch-off cash prizes paid during August, players also claimed more than $1,196,624 worth of free tickets. Scratch-off players have 90 days from the official game closure date to claim 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, with 35 percent of sales 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.