11/05/2008 - 3:26 PM

Port Allen Resident Claims $11,000 Top Prize from Roll 'Em Scratch-off

Ronald Courville of Port Allen has a reason to smile after claiming an $11,000 top prize from a "Roll 'Em" scratch-off at Lottery headquarters in Baton Rouge.

Ronald Courville of Port Allen did a lot of waiting over the weekend. He won an $11,000 top prize from a Roll 'Em scratch-off, but couldn't claim his prize until Monday, since prizes over $600 must be claimed at a Lottery office.

"It was so difficult to wait until Monday," said Courville, age 23. "I put the ticket under my mattress, so I wouldn't lose it."

Courville, who said he plans to pay a few bills with his winnings, purchased his winning scratch-off from Minnows II on Lobdell Highway in Port Allen.

Roll 'Em is a $2 scratch-off game that offers players the chance to win up to $11,000 on each ticket. The game has three remaining top prizes as of Nov. 4. 

According to Louisiana Lottery policy, a scratch-off game is closed and removed from sale when all top prizes for the game have been claimed. Winners have 90 days from the game closure date in which to claim their winnings.

Players must be at least 21 years old to purchase a Lottery ticket.  For security purposes, players should sign the back of their tickets immediately after purchasing.  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 for help.

A list of current scratch-off games and prizes remaining can be found on the Lottery's Web site, www.louisianalottery.com.