{"id":373679,"date":"2016-03-31T21:35:24","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:35:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/louisiana-law\/louisiana-state-lotteries-laws.html"},"modified":"2016-06-20T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2016-06-20T05:00:00","slug":"louisiana-state-lotteries-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/louisiana-law\/louisiana-state-lotteries-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Louisiana State Lotteries Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Louisiana State Lotteries Laws<\/h1>\n
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Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last updated\n

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Unfortunately, the odds of winning a lottery are quite low<\/a>. Lower than getting hit by a car, in fact. However, it\u2019s good to know the money is being used by Louisiana to invest in the future of our children.<\/p>\r\n

Louisiana started its state lottery in 1991<\/a>. Since 2004, the lottery proceeds have funded public education<\/a> in Louisiana through the \u201cMinimum Foundation Program.\u201d Even before that, the proceeds were primarily used for K-12 public education.The following table outlines the main lottery laws<\/a> in Louisiana.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Code Section<\/b><\/td>\r\nLouisiana Revised Statutes Title 47 \u2013 Revenue and Taxation<\/a> 47:9000 to 47:9081: Louisiana Lottery Corporation Law<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Distribution of Lottery Revenue<\/b><\/td>\r\nAt least 35% of the lottery proceeds<\/a> (gross revenue) are legally required to be transferred to the state treasury. More than half of the money coming in goes out to lottery winners.
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\r\nIn addition, the Louisiana Lottery Corporation is self-funded with about 6% of the revenue going to operations<\/a>. Another $500,000 is allocated to Compulsive and Problem Gaming Fund<\/a> to help those with gambling addiction.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Additional Purpose of Lottery<\/b><\/td>\r\nOne of the purposes<\/a> of the Louisiana lottery is to enable \u201cthe people of the state to benefit from the profits."<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Problem Gambling<\/b><\/td>\r\nLouisiana lottery tickets have to include a toll-free phone number for mental health services for compulsive or problem gambling. Retailers who sell lottery tickets will need to post a sign<\/a> with this problem gambling referral information.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Lottery Prize Taxable<\/b><\/td>\r\nProceeds from any Louisiana lottery over $500 are subject to the Louisiana state income tax<\/a>.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Lottery Prize Subject to Garnishment<\/b><\/td>\r\nYes, lottery prizes are garnishable<\/a>. Therefore, if you have outstanding judgments or child support arrears<\/a> or anyone else you legally owe money too, if you were to win the lottery, they could find out and enforce their judgment on your winnings.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Time Limit to Claim Prize or Disposition<\/b><\/td>\r\nA lottery winner has 180 days to claim the prize he or she has won. In a game where the player instantly determines if he or she has won or lost, the time limit to claim the prize is 90 days. Any unclaimed prize is added to the pool for future prizes or is used in special prize promotions.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Prohibited Related Activities<\/b><\/td>\r\nAlthough the state lottery is legal in Louisiana, many associated activities aren\u2019t legal, including:
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