Lottery winner defies the odds and scoops $2m jackpot before losing almost 25% of the sum – his hands were tied

A LOTTO player has won millions after a lucky draw - but nearly a quarter of the jackpot is lost to taxes.

The lucky player won the Louisiana Lottery jackpot worth $2,030,097.

On August 5, lottery officials confirmed that Christopher Archinard claimed the prize money.

However, tax regulations require the Louisiana Lottery to withhold 24% of federal taxes from each prize over $5,000 and an additional 4% in state taxes.

The winner received over $1,400,000 after state and federal tax withholdings.

The winning Lotto ticket was sold at the Raceway located at 1213 North MLK Highway in Lake Charles in the August 3 drawing.

The store received a selling bonus of $20,309.07, which is equal to 1% of the prize.

This is the third Lotto jackpot-winning ticket sold in 2024.

The other two were sold in Coushatta and Kenner.

HOW TO PLAY

To play Louisiana Lotto, players only need to cough up one dollar.

The jackpot starts at half-a-million dollars in cash plus three other prize levels every Wednesday and Saturday.

Players choose six numbers from 1 through 42.

Or players can let the Lottery’s computer randomly Quick Pick them.

Lotto drawings are held every Wednesday and Saturday except for Christmas Day, according to the lottery website.

Lotto winning numbers are displayed on official draw show stations every Wednesday and Saturday night and updated on the official website.

HOW TO CLAIM

For prizes under $600, winners can claim by visiting any participating lottery retailer and presenting an original winning ticket.

Top lottery winners in the US

Millions dream of winning the lottery and finding fame and fortune. These are the biggest winners in US lottery history.

• Edwin Castro - $2.04 billion, Powerball, Nov. 8, 2022, in California.
• Theodorus Struyck - $1.765 billion, Powerball, Oct. 11, 2023, in California.
• Unknown winner - $1.602 billion, Mega Millions, Aug. 8, 2023, in Florida.
• Marvin and Mae Acosta from Los Angeles, California, John and Lisa Robinson from Munford, Tennessee, and Maureen Smith and David Kaltschmidt from Melbourne Beach, Florida - $1.586 billion, Powerball, Jan. 13, 2016.
• Unknown winner - $1.537 billion, Mega Millions, Oct. 23, 2018, from South Carolina.
• Unknown winner - he sued the mother of his child to keep his identity hidden - $1.348 billion, Mega Millions, Jan. 13, 2023, from Maine.
• Unknown winner - $1.337 billion, Mega Millions, July 29, 2022, from Illinois.
• Cheng and Duanpen Saephan, and Laiza Liem Chao - $1.326 billion, Powerball, April 7, 2024, from Oregon.
• Yanira Alvarez - $1.08 billion Powerball, July 19, 2023 in California.
• Wolverine FLL Lottery Club - $1.05 billion, Mega Millions, Jan. 22, 2021, from Michigan.
• Unknown winner - $842.4 million Powerball, Jan. 1, 2024, from Michigan.

Prizes of over $600 must be claimed at a lottery office or by mail.

Those claiming by mail should follow these steps:

• Sign and complete the information on the back of their winning ticket and ensure that all barcodes are clearly visible.
• Photocopy of the front and back of the ticket, except for Powerball and Mega Millions tickets as photocopies are not accepted.
• Complete the Louisiana Lottery Prize Claim Form and be sure it includes your telephone number and mailing address for your prize check.
• Photocopy your valid driver’s license or current picture identification.
• Mail the above in a single envelope to Louisiana Lottery Corporation Attn: Prize Validations P.O. Box 90010 Baton Rouge, LA 70879-0010

Original tickets are required for those claiming prizes over $5,000.

Prizes of over $5,000 must be claimed at a Lottery office.

According to the Louisiana Lottery website, winning draw-style game prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the drawing in which the prize was won.

Meanwhile, three Powerball prizes worth $100,00 a piece remain unclaimed.

And a lottery player who landed a multi-million dollar payday claimed they knew the win would happen.

Responsible gambling

Remember to gamble responsibly

A responsible gambler is someone who:

• Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
• Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
• Never chase their losses
• Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry, or depressed
• National Council on Problem Gambling – https://www.ncpgambling.org/
• Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org

For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 1-800-522-4700 or go to ncpgambling.org/chat