Overview of Recent New Jersey Lottery Wins
The New Jersey Lottery has been a source of excitement and hope for many residents in recent weeks. Across the state, players have won significant prizes in games like Powerball, Mega Millions, and various scratch-off tickets. These wins have brought both financial relief and emotional joy to the lucky individuals. In this article, we provide a detailed summary of the most recent lottery winners in New Jersey, including where the winning tickets were sold, the amounts won, and the unique stories behind some of these fortunate events. For many, the dream of winning the lottery is alive and well, and these recent wins prove that luck can strike at any time.
Powerball and Mega Millions: No Jackpot Winners, But Big Prizes Awarded
The Powerball drawing on Monday, May 19, 2025, featured a jackpot of $134 million, with a cash option of $60.3 million. The winning numbers for this draw were 13, 14, 37, 50, and 60, with the Powerball number 11. Although no one in New Jersey or across the country claimed the jackpot, several players still walked away with substantial prizes. The Mega Millions drawing on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, offered an even larger jackpot of $146 million, with a cash option of $62.3 million. The winning numbers were 18, 30, 33, 55, and 64, with the Mega Ball number 11. Again, there was no jackpot winner, but many players matched enough numbers to win smaller, yet still impressive, amounts. These games continue to create excitement, as even non-jackpot prizes can be life-changing for winners.
Sixteen New Jerseyans Win Big in Lottery Games
According to the New Jersey Lottery, sixteen players in the state won $10,000 or more last week by playing Powerball and other lottery games. These winning tickets were sold between May 12 and May 18, 2025, and the lottery agency announced the winners on Monday. The announcement included details about the locations where the lucky tickets were purchased, showing that winning can happen anywhere in the state. This surge in winners highlights that while the top jackpots may go unclaimed, there are still many opportunities for players to win significant prizes. The New Jersey Lottery regularly updates its website with information about recent winners and the stores where winning tickets are sold, making it easy for players to check if they are among the lucky few. For those who play regularly, these stories offer hope and encouragement.
Honesty Pays Off: The $1 Million Scratch-Off Winner in Warren County
One of the most inspiring stories from recent weeks comes from Warren County. On April 30, a lottery player at the Paul Mart on South Main Street in Phillipsburg found a $100 bill left on the counter. Instead of keeping the money, the player asked if anyone had lost it and then gave it to the clerk to place in a lost and found envelope. Others in the store suggested the player should keep the money, but the player believed that taking what is not yours can prevent you from receiving your own good fortune. After returning the $100, the player bought three $20 Power 20X scratch-off tickets. To their amazement, one of the tickets turned out to be a $1 million winner. The player was overwhelmed with emotion, crying and shaking as the reality of the win set in. The winner later reflected that if they had kept the $100, guilt would have stopped them from buying a ticket and possibly winning. They saw the experience as a test of character and a sign of good karma. The winner plans to use the money to buy a modest house and a reliable car, showing that sometimes, honesty truly is the best policy.
How to Play and Claim Prizes in New Jersey
For those interested in joining the ranks of recent winners, it is important to know how to play and claim prizes in New Jersey. Mega Millions tickets cost $5 each, and drawings are held every Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m. Tickets can be purchased in-store or online until 10:45 p.m. on the night of the draw. The Powerball game costs $2 per play, with an optional $1 Power Play feature that can multiply non-jackpot prizes. Powerball drawings take place every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 10:59 p.m., and ticket sales close at 9:59 p.m. on the night of the draw. Prizes up to $599.99 can be claimed at any New Jersey Lottery retailer, while larger prizes must be claimed by mail or in person at the lottery office in Trenton. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Players should always check the official New Jersey Lottery website for the latest winning numbers and prize information.
Odds, Prize Options, and New Features
The odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot are about 1 in 290 million, while the odds for the Powerball jackpot are about 1 in 292 million. While these odds are long, the stories of recent winners show that it is possible to win life-changing amounts. Both games offer winners the choice between an annuity, which pays out over 30 years with increasing payments, or a lump-sum cash option. Recently, the Megaplier feature was retired from Mega Millions, but a built-in multiplier now automatically increases non-jackpot prizes by two, three, four, five, or even ten times. This change gives players more chances to win bigger prizes, even if they do not hit the jackpot.
Where to Find Winning Numbers and More Information
Players can watch live drawings for both Powerball and Mega Millions online, including on YouTube and the official lottery websites. Winning numbers are posted quickly after each draw, and the New Jersey Lottery website also provides a list of recent winners and the locations where winning tickets were sold. This transparency helps build excitement and trust among players, as they can see real examples of people winning big in their own communities.
Conclusion: New Jersey’s Lottery Luck Continues
The past few weeks have brought a mix of excitement, hope, and inspiration to New Jersey lottery players. With sixteen people winning $10,000 or more, and a heartwarming story of a $1 million scratch-off winner who chose honesty over easy money, the state’s lottery games continue to change lives. While the jackpots for Powerball and Mega Millions remain unclaimed, the many smaller prizes and the stories behind them show that luck can strike at any time. For those who dream of winning, the next drawing could be the one that changes everything.
