7/02/2009 - 2:52 PM

Baton Rouge Woman Surprised by Top Prize Bingo! Win

Shirley Collins wished she was back in the cardiologist's office after the clerk at a local retailer told her that her winning Bingo! ticket was actually worth $30,000.

"I scratched the ticket while I was in the patient room with my mother," said the 60-year-old Baton Rouge resident. "When I finished, I told my mother 'Look, I won $100!'"

Collins then took the ticket to have it cashed and was told she would need to take it to a Lottery office since she had won more than $600. The clerk showed her how she had matched all the numbers in the shape of an "X" to win the game's top prize.

Collins purchased her top prize-winning ticket at Swifty's V.N. on Plank Road in Baton Rouge.

Bingo! is a $3 game that has four remaining top prizes of $30,000 as of June 25.

Persons must be at least 21 years of age to purchase a Lottery ticket.  Anyone who has a gambling problem or friends and family of anyone with a gambling problem are encouraged to call toll-free 1-877-770-7867. For security purposes, the Lottery strongly encourages players to sign the back of their ticket immediately after purchasing.