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New Jersey Lottery

The New Jersey Lottery gives people in the state a chance to enjoy a super convenient gaming experience. There are many games to choose from, and on this page, we provide all the information you will need to enjoy the lottery action safely.

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The New Jersey Lottery explained

New Jersey is one of 45 states with government-run lotteries, and there are lotteries in the U.S. Virgin Islands, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. They are all very similar, and New Jersey is right in the middle of the mainstream when it comes to the way the lottery is operated. It is one of the more popular forms of gambling in New Jersey.

There are big-money games that provide winners with hundreds of millions of dollars in some cases. Along with these jackpots, there are lottery games that will put thousands of dollars in your pocket, and the smaller games will make your day with a relatively modest cash infusion.

Can you play the New Jersey Lottery online?

No, you cannot play the lottery online in New Jersey directly. However, you can play the lottery online in New Jersey using Jackpocket or Lotto.com. These are third-party service providers that can legally provide you with lottery tickets in New Jersey through their respective online portals.

In addition, the New Jersey Lottery website has a lot of very useful information for lottery players. The site keeps you up-to-date on events and promotions, and there are player tools that provide insight that can help to give you an edge.

There is also a VIP Club that you can join online, and it is absolutely free of charge. Benefits include jackpot alerts, daily winning number emails, opt-in drawings, sweepstakes, personalized notifications, and second-chance opportunities.

If you’re looking to play something online, sports betting in New Jersey can be played from your computer or phone.

History of the New Jersey Lottery

In 1969, New Jersey voters were given a chance to vote on a ballot initiative that would legalize a state-operated lottery. An overwhelming 81.5 percent of people who cast ballots voted in favor of the initiative.

The first lottery tickets were sold on December 16, 1970. In 1971, the big money started flowing when the first millionaire drawing was introduced. Edward and Kathleen Henry of West Caldwell were the winners, and they received $50,000 in annual annuity payments.

Six years later, in 1977, New Jersey Network started broadcasting the lottery drawings every evening, and the show was hosted by Hela Young. In 1980, the Pick-6 Lotto game was introduced.

The New Jersey Lottery celebrated its 50th year in 2020, and in July of that year, a $124 million winning Mega Millions ticket was purchased in Bayonne.

Claiming New Jersey Lottery winnings

Winning the lottery is a fantastic feeling, and it is gratifying to feel the cold hard cash in your hands. These are the steps that you take to collect your winnings if you are fortunate enough to win the lottery in New Jersey.

  1. Sign the back of your ticket.
  2. If your winnings are $599 or less, you can go to any lottery retailer to collect your money.
  3. For larger wins, you have to file a claim with the New Jersey Lottery. Claim forms are available at retail locations and N.J. Lottery headquarters.

Can I claim NJ Lottery winnings online?

No, you cannot claim your New Jersey Lottery winnings online. That would be the most convenient route, but it is very easy to collect using the methods that we explained above.

Cross-state lottery draw games you can play in New Jersey

New Jersey is a populous state, so residents can certainly generate significant prize pools. That being stated, when multiple states pool their resources, the jackpots can become enormous. These are the cross-state lottery games that you can play in the great state of New Jersey.

  • Mega Millions
  • Powerball
  • Cash4Life

New Jersey-specific draw games you can play

While the multi-state games can change your life in an instant, the odds of winning are minuscule. You have a better shot at the more modest payout that you can get through these draw games that are specific to the state of New Jersey.

  • Pick-3
  • Pick-4
  • Pick-5
  • Pick-6
  • Quick Draw
  • Cash Pop
  • Fast Play

Instant win lottery games in NJ

There is nothing like an instant winner, and the New Jersey Lottery provides players with this avenue as well. In New Jersey, scratch-offs are the only instant lottery games, and there are over 40 different ticket types available.

Where do I purchase lottery tickets in NJ?

You can purchase lottery tickets in New Jersey at about 7,000 different retail locations, so there is always an outlet nearby. These are the types of businesses that sell lottery tickets in New Jersey:

  • Restaurants
  • Liquor stores
  • Markets
  • Convenience stores
  • Bars
  • Newsstands

Famous NJ Jackpot winners

You get a lot of notoriety when you win a huge lottery jackpot. For that reason, a lot of winners choose to remain anonymous, but some winners have been willing to share their identities, and we list a few of them below.

  • Richard Wahl won a $533 million Mega Millions jackpot in 2018.
  • Mario Scarnici of Monmouth Junction and 16 of his co-workers divvied up two-thirds of a $448.4 million Powerball prize in 2013.
  • Pearlie Mae Smith scored to the tune of $429.6 million when she hit the Powerball jackpot in 2016.

Is there a New Jersey Lottery mobile app?

Yes, there is a New Jersey Lottery mobile app, and it is quite useful. You can use it to create and save ePlayslips with the numbers that you like to play, and the app will create a unique barcode. When you go to a retail outlet to buy your tickets, you simply scan the code.

With the app, you can scan your tickets to see if you are a winner. There are tools that give you the ability to look up winning numbers, check the jackpot levels, find lottery retailers, and access the VIP Club. You can also program the app to provide push notifications on your mobile phone.


FAQ

Do I pay taxes when I win the NJ lottery?

Yes, you have to pay taxes when you win the NJ lottery. You have to claim lottery profits when you file your state and federal income tax returns.

Can I play the New Jersey Lottery if I’m 18?

Yes, you can play the NJ Lottery if you are 18 years old or older.

What is the annual revenue from the New Jersey Lottery?

In 2022, the annual revenue from the New Jersey Lottery exceeded $3.6 billion, and the state received $1.11 billion.

How often can you play the lottery?

You can play the lottery seven days a week, so the opportunity is always available.