Scratch-off lottery tickets are a fun and easy way to try your luck at winning cash prizes in Louisiana. With so many different scratch-off games available from the Louisiana Lottery Corporation, you’ll want to know the proper way to check your tickets so you don’t miss out on any potential winnings.
Check the Prize Symbols
The first thing you need to do when checking a scratch-off ticket is reveal the prize symbols. Each Louisiana scratch-off game has a different play style, but they all involve scratching off the coating on the ticket to reveal symbols or numbers. The prize symbols are the ones that indicate if you’ve won a prize. They may be dollar amounts, points, play or prize symbols, words like “WIN” or pictures of prizes you could win.
Scratch all of the coating off of the prize symbol areas on your ticket. Make sure you’ve fully removed the covering over the symbols so you can clearly see what’s printed underneath. Scan the prize symbols on your ticket to see if you uncover any that match the winning combinations printed on the scratch-off ticket or in the game rules.
Common Louisiana Scratch-Off Prize Symbols
- Dollar amounts – These may reveal the specific prize won.
- Words like “WIN” or “BREAK EVEN” – These indicate the prize shown.
- Point symbols – Win that many points toward prize shown.
- Play or prize symbols – Match these to win the corresponding prize.
Review the Scratch-Off Rules
Each scratch-off game has its own set of rules that explain how to play and win prizes. After revealing the prize symbols on your ticket, you should read the specific rules for that scratch-off game printed right on the ticket. The rules will tell you exactly what prize symbols or combinations you need to win prizes.
Scratch-off rules may include instructions like:
- Match 3 like prize amounts to win that amount
- Reveal 3 identical symbols in a row to win prize shown
- Earn points by revealing certain symbols that can be added up to win prizes
Take the time to carefully review the scratch-off rules so you understand exactly how that game works and what you needed to do to win. Don’t assume you know how a particular scratch-off works until you check the rules.
Check the Prize Legend
In addition to the game rules, most scratch-off tickets also have a legend printed on them that shows the possible prize symbols and the prize amounts associated with them. You’ll want to cross-check the symbols you revealed against the prize legend to verify the amount you’ve won.
For example, the legend may show:
- Cherry symbol – Win $5
- Diamond symbol – Win $20
- Moneybag symbol – Win $100
If you reveal 3 diamond symbols on your ticket, the legend confirms that you’ve won 3 prizes of $20 for a total of $60.
Double-Check Your Numbers
Some scratch-off tickets involve matching your numbers or symbols to a separate set of winning numbers printed on the ticket. After revealing all of your ticket symbols or numbers, double-check that they do indeed match the winning options. Make sure to check the winning numbers carefully and verify you’ve scratched all of your symbols.
It can be easy to think you’ve won by matching just part of a winning number combination. Take the time to carefully and systematically compare your revealed ticket against the winning combinations.
Verify Barcodes
Most scratch-off tickets in Louisiana feature a barcode printed along the bottom or side. Once you’ve checked your ticket and believe you’ve won a prize, you can have the barcode scanned to immediately verify it. Bring your ticket to a retailer location where lottery tickets are sold.
The clerk will scan your barcode using a special lottery terminal. This will instantly confirm whether or not your ticket shows a winning combination. The terminal will indicate the prize amount won, if any.
Claim Your Prize
Once you have checked your scratch-off ticket and confirmed it as a winner by scanning the barcode, you will need to claim your prize. For smaller prizes under $600, you can redeem your winning ticket directly at a lottery retailer location. They can pay out cash or check for any verified lower-tier wins.
For larger scratch-off prizes over $600, you will need to mail in or drop off your winning ticket to the Louisiana Lottery headquarters in Baton Rouge. Be sure to sign the back of your ticket. Include your name, address and phone number on the claim form.
The Lottery recommends making a copy or taking a picture of both sides of your winning ticket for your records before submitting. You have 180 days from the announced end of that scratch-off game to claim any prizes. Prizes over $5,000 are subject to federal and state tax withholding requirements.
Second Chance Scratch-Off Games
Even if your scratch-off ticket isn’t an instant winner, you still have a chance to win with Louisiana’s second chance promotional games. Non-winning scratch-off tickets can be submitted online into drawings for different prizes and promotions.
To enter, you’ll need to join the Lottery’s free online Fun Club. Then simply enter the unique entry number from your eligible scratch-off tickets. Drawings are held periodically for different vacations, electronics, vehicles and cash prizes. It provides a second chance to win without having to buy more tickets.
Use a Louisiana Lottery App
The Louisiana Lottery offers free mobile apps for both iOS and Android that allow you to scan and check scratch-off tickets on the go. Apps like the Louisiana Lottery Official App let you scan your ticket barcode to instantly verify winnings.
The app also includes a “Ticket Checker” feature that allows you to manually enter the ticket serial number and 8-digit packs number found under the scratch-off coating to check results. This comes in handy if a ticket is damaged and the barcode cannot scan.
Mobile lottery apps also provide current jackpot information, let you find retail locations, enter second chance promotions, view draw schedule and more. Download the free Louisiana Lottery Official App to your device from the App Store or Google Play.
Where to Buy Scratch-Offs in Louisiana
Louisiana scratch-off lottery tickets can be purchased at over 3,000 licensed retailer locations throughout the state. Tickets range in price from $1 up to $30 for the more expensive specialty games. Scratch-offs can be purchased by anyone 18 years of age or older.
You can find scratch-off tickets at convenience stores, gas stations, grocery stores, drug stores, liquor stores, tobacco outlets, newsstands, and other licensed retailers. Use the Louisiana Lottery website or official app to find a full list of retailers selling scratch-off tickets near you.
Scratching Tips
To get the best results scratching your tickets, follow these tips:
- Use a coin or car key – Don’t use anything sharp that could damage the ticket.
- Scratch in a back-and-forth motion – Rubbing too hard can cause friction.
- Scratch lightly – The coating should come off easily if you rub gently.
- Scratch entire coating off – Fully reveal symbols and numbers underneath.
Most Popular Louisiana Scratch-Offs
Louisiana offers dozens of different scratch-off games throughout the year with varying odds, costs and prizes. Some of the most popular scratch-offs include:
- 100X The Cash – Tickets cost $20 with a top prize of $2.5 million.
- $250,000 Jackpot – $10 tickets with a chance to win a quarter million dollars.
- Money Bags Doubler – $2 tickets where you can double non-winning prizes.
- 20X The Cash – Win up to 20X on this $5 scratch-off.
- $500 Frenzy – $1 tickets with shot at maximum $500 prizes.
Scratch-Off Ticket Tips
Follow these tips when playing Louisiana scratch-off tickets:
- Scratch carefully – Reveal the full symbol or number underneath.
- Check tickets thoroughly – Verify against winning combinations.
- Read the rules – Understand how to win for that game.
- Know the odds – The lower the odds, the better chance to win.
- Check expiration dates – Only valid until end date shown.
- Sign your tickets – Always sign before claiming prizes.
- Secure winners – Keep safe until ready to claim.
Scratch-Off Odds of Winning
Every scratch-off game lists the overall odds of winning any prize, as well as the odds for winning specific prize amounts. Lower listed odds are better because it means more chances to win. For example:
- 1 in 4.82 odds – Better odds with 1 winner in less than 5 tickets
- 1 in 20 odds – Lower chance with just 1 winner in 20 tickets
Scratch-off games in Louisiana typically have overall winning odds ranging anywhere from 1 in 4.50 on the low end up to 1 in 7.50 on the higher end. The specific odds vary for each prize amount in each game. Jackpot top prizes often have extremely high odds of at least 1 in 600,000 or greater.
Unclaimed Scratch-Off Prizes
According to Louisiana Lottery, over $16.5 million in prize money goes unclaimed in Louisiana lottery games each year. This includes unclaimed scratch-off ticket winnings where players don’t realize they’ve won, lose tickets or fail to claim them in time.
The lottery publishes a list of all unclaimed scratch-off prizes of $100,000 or more on its website. Players can check the list to see if they may have won on a lost or forgotten ticket. Unclaimed prize money rolls over into future prize pools and promotions.
Scratch-Off Ticket Scanners
To quickly check their scratch-off tickets and verify winning amounts, many players use personal ticket scanners or checker apps. These devices can scan and read the barcode printed on lottery tickets to detect winners.
Small handheld scanners can be purchased online or in some stores. For convenience, most people opt to download lottery scanner apps to their smartphones like Lottery Ticket Scanner and National Lottery Ticket Checker. They provide instant results without any extra devices needed.
Tips for Picking Winning Scratch-Offs
While scratch-off wins are ultimately random, there are some tips players use to try to select winning tickets:
- Pick thicker tickets – Can indicate fewer were printed.
- Avoid damaged tickets – May have already been scanned.
- Buy consecutive packs – Where winners tend to be clustered.
- Choose unfamiliar games – Better odds with new games.
- Don’t pick “hot” games – Avoid games with recent jackpots.
Scratch-Off Scams
Be aware that scam artists sometimes target scratch-off players to try and con them out of winnings. Be wary of these common scratch-off scams:
- Tickets switches – Cashier takes your ticket and substitutes a loser.
- Fraudulent clerks – Steal winning tickets brought in for redemption.
- Double scanning – Retailer scans ticket as unsold to check for winner.
Protect yourself by covering barcodes, checking your tickets thoroughly yourself, and only playing at authorized retailers. Report any suspicious activity.
Conclusion
Scratching those silver or latex coverings off Louisiana lottery tickets provides an exciting opportunity to instantly win cash and prizes. Following the proper procedures for thoroughly checking your scratch-offs will ensure you don’t miss discovering any winnings. Use a coin or lottery app to carefully reveal the symbols, verify against the rules and legends, double-check all numbers, and scan the barcode to validate your ticket. With the right approach, you’ll maximize your chances of cashing in on those winning scratch-off tickets.
