New Jersey Lottery Games
Founded in November 1969, the New Jersey Lottery is one of the oldest lottery operators in the United States. This Lottery has multi-jurisdictional and state-only lotteries, with players having the opportunity to win cash prizes many times a day.
Proceeds from New Jersey lottery games are used to support educational programs and other institutions across the state, with profits having been used to support pensions for public sector workers across New Jersey since 2018.
Powerball
Powerball is a world-famous lottery renowned for its long odds and often lucrative jackpots.
Powerball tickets cost $2.00, with players choosing five numbers between 1 and 69 plus a Powerball number between 1 and 26. Players can choose numbers manually or go for a Quick Pick if they wish. A Power Play option is also available, costing $1.00 for the chance to multiply non-jackpot prizes by up to 10 times.
Mega Millions
Mega Millions is another world-renowned lottery that’s even harder to win than Powerball, but with a very similar format.
As with Powerball, tickets cost $2.00.
Players must choose five numbers between 1 and 70 and a Mega Ball number between 1 and 25, with a Quick Pick option also available for those wishing to play with random selections. Mega Millions has an additional Megaplier option for $1.00, for the chance to multiply non-jackpot prizes by up to 10 times.
Cash4Life
Cash4Life is a popular lottery game played across nine states, giving players the chance to win $1,000 a day (paid out as $365,000 annually) for the rest of their lives, or the option to take a $7 million-dollar lump sum.
Tickets cost $2.00, with players choosing five main numbers from 1 to 60 and a Cash Ball number between 1 and 4. Quick Pick is also available for those who prefer to play with random selections.
Pick-6
Pick-6 is a traditional 6-from-49 lottery, with tickets costing $1.00.
Players choose six numbers from 1 to 49 or can go for a Quick Pick for randomly chosen selections. Participants can add XTRA to their ticket for $1.00, for an additional prize tier and an increase in all non-jackpot prizes.
Quick Draw
Quick Draw is a Keno-style lottery with multiple entry options, including the ability to choose initial stakes.
Players must first decide on how many numbers to match from one to 10, before choosing the relevant number of selections between 1 and 80. While Quick Pick is available for participants who wish to play with random selections, players can also decide whether to stake $1.00, $2.00, $3.00, $4.00, $5.00 or $10, with this amount also acting as the prize multiplier.
Finally, participants can add BULLSEYE to their tickets to increase the chances of winning and the possibility of landing bigger prizes, for double the initial stake.
Jersey Cash 5
Jersey Cash 5 is a straightforward lottery that costs $1.00 to enter.
Players must choose five numbers from 1 to 45, or can go for a Quick Pick for randomly chosen selections. Participants can add XTRA to their ticket for $1.00, to increase non-jackpot prizes by the randomly selected multiplier during each draw.
For a further $1.00, participants can add Instant Match to their ticket for the chance to win up to $500 on the spot.
Cash Pop
Cash Pop is a unique lottery in which every available number can be chosen to ensure a potential win, although doing this would result in a loss due to how game prizes are calculated.
To enter Cash Pop, choose up to 15 numbers between 1 and 15 followed by a $1.00, $2.00, $5.00 or $10 stake per number, resulting in a ticket price that could be anything from $1.00 to $150!
The prize value is printed on the ticket at random during purchase, with a player with a $150 entry potentially winning as little as $50, while a stake of just $1 could win up to $250!
Pick-4
There are multiple entry options in Pick-4, with players able to choose stakes of $0.50, $1.00, $2.00, $3.00, $4.00 or $5.00.
Players must choose four numbers from 0 to 9 and, because each number is chosen independently, the same number can be chosen repeatedly if desired. Participants then choose whether to bet on matching numbers in the order drawn, in any order, or whether to split their stake equally between both options.
There is also the option to choose a Wheel entry, for a ticket with every possible combination of the four player-chosen numbers.
Participants can also wager against matching either the first or second pair of numbers drawn. Finally, players can add FIREBALL to their ticket to double the stake. The FIREBALL number is drawn each game and can be used as a replacement number if the result is only one digit from winning a prize. Participants should note that while FIREBALL improves prize-winning odds, prizes will be paid out at reduced values.
Pick-3
In Pick-3, players can choose stakes of $0.50, $1.00, $2.00, $3.00, $4.00 or $5.00.
Players must choose three numbers from 0 to 9, and because each number is chosen independently, the same number can be chosen repeatedly if desired. Participants then choose whether to bet on matching numbers in the order drawn, in any order, or to split their stake equally between both options.
There is also the option to choose a Wheel entry, for a ticket with every possible combination of the three chosen numbers.
Participants can also wager against matching either the first or second pair of numbers drawn, or the first and third numbers drawn. Finally, players can add FIREBALL to their ticket to double the original stake. The FIREBALL number is drawn each game and can be used as a replacement number when only one digit away from winning a prize. Participants should note that while FIREBALL improves prize-winning odds, prizes will be paid out at reduced values.
New Jersey Lottery Game Schedule
The table below provides an overview of the schedule for each New Jersey lottery game.
| Lottery Game | MON | TUE | WED | THU | FRI | SAT | SUN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mega Millions | 23:00 | 23:00 | |||||
| Powerball | 23:00 | 23:00 | 23:00 | ||||
| Cash4Life | 21:00 | 21:00 | 21:00 | 21:00 | 21:00 | 21:00 | 21:00 |
| Pick-6 | 22:57 | 22:57 | |||||
| Quick Draw | Every 4 minutes. | ||||||
| Jersey Cash 5 | 22:57 | 22:57 | 22:57 | 22:57 | 22:57 | 22:57 | 22:57 |
| Cash Pop | Every 15 minutes. | ||||||
| Pick-4 | 12:59 22:57 | 12:59 22:57 | 12:59 22:57 | 12:59 22:57 | 12:59 22:57 | 12:59 22:57 | 12:59 22:57 |
| Pick-3 | 12:59 22:57 | 12:59 22:57 | 12:59 22:57 | 12:59 22:57 | 12:59 22:57 | 12:59 22:57 | 12:59 22:57 |
New Jersey Lottery Odds and Jackpots
Although the Pick-3 and Pick-4 games have the most attractive odds, the best value game is arguably Cash4Life, which gives players the chance to win $1,000 a day for the rest of their lives!
| Lottery Game | Winning Odds | Minimum Jackpot |
|---|---|---|
| Mega Millions | 1 in 302,575,350 | $40 million |
| Powerball | 1 in 292,201,338 | $40 million |
| Cash4Life | 1 in 21,846,048 | $1,000 a day for life ($7 million if players take the lump-sum option) |
| Pick-6 | 1 in 13,983,816 | Depends on ticket sales |
| Quick Draw | 1 in 8,911,711 | $100,000 |
| Jersey Cash 5 | 1 in 1,221,759 | Depends on ticket sales |
| Cash Pop | 1 in 11,250 | $2,500 |
| Pick-4 | 1 in 10,000 | $5,000 |
| Pick-3 | 1 in 1,000 | $500 |
New Jersey Lottery Advance Play Options
All New Jersey Lottery games have Advance Play options, with the number of draws that players can enter at once being highlighted in the below table.
| Lottery Game | No. of Advance Draws Players Can Enter |
|---|---|
| Cash Pop | Up to 4 |
| Mega Millions | Up to 8 |
| Powerball | Up to 12 |
| Pick-4 | Up to 14 |
| Pick-3 | Up to 14 |
| Quick Draw | Up to 20 |
| Jersey Cash 5 | Up to 21 |
| Pick-6 | Up to 26 |
| Cash4Life | Up to 28 |
New Jersey Lottery Scratch-Offs
With multiple prizes available, jackpots are typically proportional to the cost of the scratch-off itself. New Jersey Lottery scratch-offs range inprice from $1.00 to $30, with jackpots ranging from $500 to $3 million!
Lower-priced scratch-offs typically have winning odds of around 1 in 5, with the more lucrative games having winning odds of around 1 in 4.
Detailed information about scratch-offs, prize tiers, payouts and odds is available on the official New Jersey Lottery website.
New Jersey Lottery Tax Information
The tables below highlight taxes payable on New Jersey Lottery prizes.
New Jersey Lottery Taxes for U.S. citizens and residentsamount to 24% on prizes between $5,001 and $10,000, as detailed below.
| Prize Value | Tax | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| $5,001 to $10,000 | Federal Taxes | 24% |
New Jersey Lottery Taxes for U.S. citizens and residentsamount to 29% on prizes between $10,001 and $500,000, as detailed below.
| Prize Value | Tax | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| $10,001 to $500,000 | State Taxes | 5% |
| Federal Taxes | 24% |
New Jersey Lottery Taxes for U.S. citizens and residentsamount to 32% on prizes exceeding $500,000, as detailed below.
| Prize Value | Tax | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Over $500,000 | State Taxes | 8% |
| Federal Taxes | 24% |
New Jersey Lottery Taxes for non-U.S. citizens or non-residentsamount to 30% on prizes between $600 and $10,000, as detailed below.
| Prize Value | Tax | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| $600 to $10,000 | Federal Taxes | 30% |
New Jersey Lottery Taxes for non-U.S. citizens or non-residentsamount to 38% on prizes exceeding $10,000, as detailed below.
| Prize Value | Tax | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Over $10,000 | State Taxes | 8% |
| Federal Taxes | 30% |
How to Claim New Jersey Lottery Payouts
Prizes of $599.50 or lesscan be claimed at any New Jersey Lottery retailer.
Prizes exceeding $599.50must be claimed via mail. Winners should take their ticket to a New Jersey Lottery retailer for validation before mailing in their ticket. All mailed-in claims should be accompanied by a Claim Form.
How to Contact the New Jersey Lottery
| Operator | Games | Official Website | Main Address | Local Tel. No. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Lottery | Pick-3 Pick-4 Jersey Cash 5 Pick-6 Quick Draw Cash Pop Powerball Mega Millions Cash4Life | https://www.njlottery.com/ | Lawrence Park Complex, 1333 Brunswick Avenue Circle, Trenton, NJ 08648, USA | +1 800-222-0996 |
Which New Jersey Lottery scratch-off has the biggest jackpot?
While the value of the most lucrative New Jersey Lottery scratch-offs change on a periodic basis, the biggest jackpot is typically around $3 million.
Can I buy New Jersey Lottery tickets online?
Yes, via selected lottery agent websites.
Players should note that tickets are not available via the official New Jersey Lottery website or mobile app.
How much tax is paid on New Jersey Lottery winnings?
Various levels of taxation apply on New Jersey Lottery winnings, depending on player residency and respective citizenship and residency statuses. U.S. citizens and residents will need to disclose their social security details when claiming a prize, otherwise tax will be levied at the rate applied to non-U.S. citizens and residents.
For U.S. citizens and residents, 24% federal taxis levied on all prizes between $5,001 and $10,000. No state taxes apply.
For U.S. citizens and residents, 29% taxis levied on all New Jersey Lottery prizes of $10,001 to $500,000, of which 5% is state tax and 24% is federal tax.
For U.S. citizens and residents, 32% taxis levied on all prizes exceeding $500,000, of which 8% is state tax and 24% is federal tax.
Non-U.S. citizens or non-residentspay 30% federal taxon all prizes between $600 and $10,000. No state taxes apply.
Non-U.S. citizens or non-residents pay 38% taxon all prizes over $10,000, of which 8% is state tax and 30% is federal tax.
How do New Jersey Lottery winners get paid?
Some New Jersey lottery games pay in regular instalments or as lump sums, while others pay out as lump sums only. Players must state their preference when purchasing a ticket.
How long does it take to receive New Jersey Lottery winnings?
All prizes of $599.50 or under, which are claimed in personat a New Jersey Lottery Retailer, will be paid out immediately in cash.
Prizes exceeding $559.50 must be claimed by mail, with players expecting to wait up to six weeks for claims to be processed and for checks to be mailed out to them.
How is the $1,000 a day Cash4Life jackpot paid out?
Players who win the Cash4Life jackpot will receive an annual payment of $365,000 for the rest of their lives, or a lump sum of $7 million.
Source websites:
https://www.njlottery.com/
