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4/13/2009 - 3:38 PM
Lottery Reports More Than $6.3 Million in Winning Draw-Style Tickets & More Than $7.4 Million Claimed from Scratch-Off Tickets during March
Buying a house, paying off business loans and taking a nice vacation are just some of the things that March winners of Louisiana Lottery draw-style games said they would do with the more than $6.3 million won last month. During March, the Louisiana Lottery also reported more than $7.4 million in winning tickets claimed from winning scratch-off game tickets.
March's winning draw-style tickets included three Easy 5 jackpot prizes averaging $33,333 each, one "match-5" Powerball prize of $200,000, nine Powerball prizes of $10,000 each, and 134 "match-5" Lotto prizes averaging $1,949 each. Pick 3 prizes totaled $2,113,700 and Pick 4 prizes totaled $1,503,000.
Easy 5 prizes totaled $259,578 with an additional $239,487 in ezmatch prizes. For an additional $1, players can add ezmatch to their Easy 5 ticket for the chance to win up to $250 instantly.
"Over 27,000 Power Play purchasers won a bonus total of $325,446 in addition to their regular Powerball prize," Lottery 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 total, draw-style game winnings were $6,333,863 for last month. Lottery draw-style game players have 180 days from the date of the drawing to claim any winnings.
"We encourage players to sign the back of their tickets immediately after purchasing and to check them promptly after the drawing. Even if a ticket does not win the jackpot, it could have won another prize," Hudson added.
In addition to $7,480,548 in scratch-off cash prizes paid during March, players also claimed $1,501,327 worth of free tickets. Scratch-off players have 90 days from the official game closure date to redeem a winning ticket. According to Lottery policy, scratch-off games are closed when all top prizes are claimed.
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. At least 35 percent of sales is 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.
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