11/14/2008 - 10:50 AM

Florida Man Claims $100,000 Top Prize from Holiday Scratch-off

Dean Richardson (right) of Crawfordville, Fla., has a reason to smile after claiming a $100,000 top prize from a "$100,000 Holiday" scratch-off at Lottery headquarters with his friend, Bobby Tala.

Dean Richardson of Crawfordville, Fla., got an early start to his holiday season when he claimed a $100,000 top prize from a $100,000 Holiday scratch-off at Louisiana Lottery headquarters in Baton Rouge.

"I scratched the ticket in the store and started shaking," said Richardson . "I went outside to the truck and told my friend, 'Tell me it's real! Tell me it's real!' He looked at it, and we both just stood there for about 30 minutes."

Richardson, who just turned 48 years old, said he plans to help his mother with his winnings. He purchased his winning scratch-off from Murphy USA #7404 on Walker South Road in Walker.

$100,000 Holiday is a $5 scratch-off game that offers players the chance to win up to $100,000. With up to 15 chances to win on each ticket, the game has two remaining top prizes as of Nov. 12. 

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.  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. For security purposes, the Lottery also encourages players to sign the back of their tickets immediately after purchasing. A list of current scratch-off games and prizes remaining can be found on the Lottery's Web site, www.louisianalottery.com.