Lottery players in the great state of Louisiana were big winners in January. According to a press release from the Louisiana Lottery they paid out more than $17.6 million in cash prizes just on scratch-off tickets. That same release touted the winnings generated by the Lottery's draw games to be $11.6 million.

Two Multi-State Lotteries Each Offer Over $400 Jackpots
Justin Sullivan, Getty Images
loading...

So, it's easy to see that in Louisiana we love to play "the lottery". If you weren't aware there will be a huge drawing tonight in the multi-state game Mega Millions. Lottery officials are estimating the top prize in that game will be $525 million when the ping pong balls drop at 10 pm tonight (2.23.24). The $525 million is the estimated annuitized jackpot, and the lump sum payout on Mega Millions would be $247.1 million, as estimated.

megamillions.com
megamillions.com
loading...

The last time there was a jackpot winner in Mega Millions it happened on December 8th of last year. The jackpot at that time was $395 million. Based on our observations the Mega Millions jackpot is primed to get a winner over the next few drawings. With a jackpot of more than half of a billion dollars interest in playing the game should be quite high for the next few drawings.

Powerball
Powerball
loading...

The Powerball multi-state lottery game has not made a jackpot winner since New Year's Day. A ticket sold for the January 1st drawing claimed a jackpot prize of $842.4 million. The game has not produced a jackpot win since then. That means Saturday's (02.24.24) drawing will be for an estimated top prize of $350.5 million for the annuitized jackpot. The lump sum payout for Powerball on Saturday will be an estimated $165.5 million.

Saturday's drawings will also feature a Lotto prize of  $650,000 and an Easy 5 prize of $200,000. Those drawings take place at about the same time as the Powerball drawing on Saturday. Those drawings are scheduled to occur at 10 pm.

Staff Photo
Staff Photo
loading...

Louisiana Lottery Reveals Big Money Scratch-Off Wins

As we mentioned earlier scratch-off tickets have been a major cash cow for Louisiana's lottery players over the first month of 2024. We've seen those winning streaks extend into February as well.

In the Lafayette area, there was this big win on a scratcher.

There was another big win reported in Acadiana on February 20th. This time the winning ticket paid out $10,000.

And just down the road in Abbeville, Louisiana the Louisiana Lottery has confirmed another big win. This time the ticket, sold at a Circle K Store, was worth $5,000.

This big win was reported by the Louisiana Lottery just before Valentine's Day. It was a $5,000 winner on the Hit 5000 game that was purchased in Arnaudville.

And one of the largest wins on a scratch-off ticket, at least the largest win reported so far in February has got to be this big winner that was purchased in Breaux Bridge.

That's a $155,000 winner on a scratch-off ticket. We should all be so lucky, right?

The Louisiana Lottery reported many other big-ticket wins during February. You can see where the winners came from and check out what games still have large cash prizes by visiting the Lottery's X (formerly Twitter) page or the official website for the Louisiana Lottery.

Please remember most lottery purchases do not result in winning tickets. Be prepared to spend only what you can afford to lose. If you or a loved one needs help with a gambling problem the Lousiana Lottery offers confidential referrals to professional counselors. Simply call 1-877-770-STOP (7867). Good Luck.

10 Louisiana Laws You Don't Know You're Breaking

Gallery Credit: Jude Walker

 

 

 

 

 

More From 97.3 The Dawg