12/02/2008 - 10:02 AM

Dubach Man's Forgotten Ticket Wins $100,000 Top Prize from Holiday Scratch-off

Richard Griffith of Dubach has a reason to smile after claiming a $100,000 top prize from a "$100,000 Holiday" scratch-off at the Lottery's Monroe office.

A forgotten ticket turned out to be a big winner for Richard Griffith of Dubach, who claimed a $100,000 top prize from a $100,000 Holiday scratch-off at the Louisiana Lottery's Monroe office.

"I forgot I even had the ticket. I didn't find it in my truck until three days after I bought it," said Griffith. "I scratched it and thought I misread it. I didn't want to believe I won until I claimed it, in case I was wrong!"
 
Griffith, age 58, said he plans fix his house in Texas that was damaged by Hurricane Ike in September. He purchased his winning scratch-off from Express Way #687 on Highway 167 South in Bernice.

$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 one remaining top prize as of Nov. 30. 

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.