Louisiana Lotto Starting Jackpot Doubles
Saturday May 23rd 2020The Louisiana Lotto jackpot is heating up this summer! The lottery has announced that the flagship game's starting top prize will double to $500,000 beginning with the August 5, 2020 drawing.
This is only the fourth time that the Lotto minimum jackpot amount has changed during its 28 years of operation. But one thing that's not changing is the price of a ticket.
“There will be more to love about Lotto this summer with more frequent $1 million-plus jackpots that our loyal Lotto players enjoy," said Louisiana Lottery President Rose Hudson. "Our players have spoken, and we listened with a Louisiana game that is still just a dollar.”
The Lotto game matrix has been revamped to create the bigger grand prizes. From August 5, players will choose six numbers out of 42, with overall odds of winning a prize at 1 in 34.4.
Currently, players pick six number out of 40 and the overall chances of winning are 1 in 30.
The second- and third-level prizes for matching five or four numbers will stay pari-mutuel. That means that if there are multiple winners in a prize tier, the money in that level's prize pool will be shared evenly by all the winners in the tier.
The match-5 prize will average $1,000 in the redesigned matrix, and the match-4 $50 average prize will remain the same.
Multidraw temporarily paused from May 27
Due to the matrix upgrade, Lotto will temporarily stop offering the multidraw feature where players can purchase tickets in advance for future drawings.
Multidraw will be available again using the new matrix when tickets for the new version go on sale on August 2 and more information will be released then.
Below is a schedule of the date when each multidraw option will be temporarily suspended. Multidraw ticket sales for each option will end at 9:30 pm on its last day.
| Multidraw Option | Date Sales End (at 9:30 pm) |
|---|---|
| 20-Draw Ticket | Wednesday, May 27, 2020 |
| 10-Draw Ticket | Wednesday, July 1, 2020 |
| 5-Draw Ticket | Saturday, July 18, 2020 |
| 4-Draw Ticket | Wednesday, July 22, 2020 |
| 3-Draw Ticket | Saturday, July 25, 2020 |
| 2-Draw Ticket | Wednesday, July 29, 2020 |
Claiming prizes while LA Lottery offices are closed
Restrictions have been relaxed in the state after Gov. John Bel Edwards lifted his stay-home order on May 14. In phase one of reopening, businesses such as salons, gyms and restaurants as well as houses of worship may open at 25 percent capacity. Phase two could begin on June 5 with additional reopening.
Louisiana lottery offices will stay closed until further notice to combat the transmission of COVID-19. You can find the latest information on the Louisiana lottery coronavirus updates page, which is kept current as the situation develops.
The lottery is currently offering winners the following prize claim options.
Prizes of $600 and under
All wins of $600 and under may be cashed out by presenting an original winning ticket at any lottery retailer.
Prizes of $5,000 or below for Lotto, Easy 5, Pick 3, Pick 4, and Scratch-Offs
Players may claim these prizes by mailing a copy of the winning ticket, a claim form, and copy of photo ID to the lottery.
First, sign the back of the original winning ticket and complete the required information. Ensure the entire barcode is visible.
Store the original ticket safely just in case there's a problem with delivery or a question about the claim.
Send the following documents to the lottery at the address below:
- Copy of the front and back of the ticket
- Completed prize claim form
- Copy of valid photo identification, such as driver's license
Use registered or certified mail for tracking and send to:
Louisiana Lottery Corporation
Attn: Prize Validations
P.O. Box 90010
Baton Rouge, LA 70879-0010
Prizes above $5,000 and Powerball and Mega Millions wins
Players will need to email the lottery at prizepayments@louisianalottery.com to schedule an appointment to claim their prize in person. Include the following information in your message:
- Your full name
- Name of the game / ticket on which the prize was won
- Prize amount won
- The lottery office where you would like to claim:
- Baton Rouge
- New Orleans (Metairie)
- Lafayette
- Alexandria
- Monroe
- Shreveport
- Your phone number, including area code
Prize claim period extended
The lottery has extended the deadline to claim prizes for tickets that would have expired between March 24 and May 17, 2020. Winners now have until August 15, 2020 to redeem these prizes.
Normally, all draw game prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the winning draw date. Scratch-off prizes must be claimed within 90 days of the game end date.
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