New Jersey’s Latest Lottery Millionaire
In a remarkable turn of events, Tayeb Souami from New Jersey became a millionaire overnight. His story began with a simple errand to return a carton of orange juice. Souami’s wife had asked him to return the juice because it was too expensive, and he could find it cheaper elsewhere. While at the store, he decided to use the refunded money to buy two lottery tickets. Little did he know, this decision would change his life forever. On May 19, 2018, Souami, who was an accountant for a food importer, discovered he had won a staggering $315 million Powerball jackpot. This win came at a crucial time as he had recently refinanced his home to pay for his children’s college tuition. At a press conference, Souami expressed his joy and shared that his priority was supporting his children’s education. He even joked about buying more orange juice in the future.
Jersey Cash 5 Jackpot Winner
Another lucky New Jersey resident recently claimed a significant prize. A lottery player won a $944,619 Jersey Cash 5 jackpot on a Saturday. The winning ticket was sold in Bergen County at the Walmart on Teterboro Landing Drive in Teterboro. This win marked the 19th time the Jersey Cash 5 jackpot has been won in 2025. In addition to the jackpot winner, 53 other players matched four numbers and the Bullseye to win $500 each. Nine additional players hit four balls with the Bullseye and Xtra to also win $500 each. The winning numbers for that day were 01, 04, 16, 19, and 22, with the Xtra number being 02 and Bullseye 22. The New Jersey Lottery estimates the next Jersey Cash 5 jackpot at $164,000 for the upcoming drawing. Jersey Cash 5 is a daily lottery draw game where players pick five numbers between 1 and 45. Players can add the Xtra option for a chance to increase non-jackpot prizes by up to five times, and the Bullseye feature gives players another chance to win.
Colossal Crossword Jackpot
A New Jersey Lottery Scratch-Off player recently bagged a $600,000 jackpot from the Colossal Crossword game. The winning ticket was purchased on April 23 at Krauser’s in Highland Park, Middlesex County. This win marked the third and final top prize claimed in the current version of the Colossal Crossword game. However, another version of Colossal Crossword still has all three top prizes available. In addition to this win, two other scratch-off players each won $200,000 prizes last week. On April 21, a $200,000 prize was claimed from the $5 Jersey Pop game at Walmart #2825 in Old Bridge, Middlesex County. Another $200,000 win came from the $5 Sizzling Hot 7’s game with a ticket purchased at Lucky 7 Deli & Convenience Store in Ringwood, Passaic County. The New Jersey Lottery announced two new scratch-off games launching soon: Money Rush and $50 Million Fast Cash. Additionally, two new Fast Play Progressive games will be available: Beehive Bucks and Garden State Bingo. Fast Play tickets offer immediate results and are sold statewide, with progressive jackpots increasing with each ticket sold until someone wins the top prize.
Impact of the New Jersey Lottery
Since its inception in 1970, the New Jersey Lottery has contributed nearly $33.7 billion to state programs and services. Under a 30-year agreement signed into law in 2017, lottery profits support the state’s public employee pension system. Lottery officials regularly remind players to check their tickets and play responsibly. The lottery not only provides entertainment and excitement but also plays a crucial role in supporting various state initiatives. With each ticket sold, players contribute to the betterment of the community, making every win a win for the state as well.
Conclusion
The recent wins in New Jersey highlight the unpredictable nature of the lottery. From a simple errand leading to a life-changing jackpot to strategic plays in daily games, the lottery continues to capture the imagination of many. As new games and opportunities arise, players are reminded of the importance of playing responsibly and the potential impact of their contributions to state programs. Whether it’s a Powerball jackpot or a scratch-off win, each story adds to the rich tapestry of lottery history in the Garden State.
