Nj lottery jackpots surge with mega millions near $1 billion — US dollars bundle close up isolated on dollar background. Paper denominations of dollars cash rolls with rubber bands. Business budget of wealth and prosperity finance. Pile capital of American US dollars bills notes cash

Mega Millions climbs to $900 million as Powerball nears half a billion

TRENTON, NJ – The Mega Millions jackpot surged to $900 million after no player matched all six numbers over the weekend, making Tuesday’s drawing the eighth-largest in the game’s history and continuing its rapid climb toward the $1 billion mark.

The current cash option for the Mega Millions jackpot sits at $415.3 million. This run is the highest since March 2024, when a Monmouth County player claimed a $1.128 billion prize, now ranked sixth all-time. Mega Millions has awarded four jackpots across the U.S. so far this year.

Powerball is also building momentum, reaching $490 million for tonight’s drawing. Last week, three New Jersey players each won $50,000 in secondary Powerball prizes, adding to the state’s growing tally of recent wins.

New Jersey players have also seen success in non-jackpot Mega Millions prizes thanks to a rule change in April allowing random multipliers. Since then, 16 Garden State players have seen their $10,000 wins multiplied — some by up to 4X. In October, an Ocean County player hit a $3 million prize, while a Bergen County player scored $4 million in June. On Nov. 4, a Mercer County winner saw their $10,000 prize double to $20,000.

Several other jackpot games in New Jersey continue to deliver major payouts:

Pick-6 is now at $2.6 million ahead of tonight’s drawing.
Jersey Cash 5 reset to $150,000 after two jackpots were hit over the weekend — $664,971 in Union County and $160,000 in Ocean County.
Cash4Life continues to award lifetime prizes, with one New Jersey player winning the $7 million cash value prize this year and five others claiming $1 million each.

Mega Millions’ top jackpots of all time include:

$1.602 billion – Florida (Aug. 8, 2023)
$1.537 billion – South Carolina (Oct. 23, 2018)
$1.348 billion – Maine (Jan. 13, 2023)
$1.337 billion – Illinois (July 29, 2022)
$1.269 billion – California (Dec. 27, 2024)
$1.128 billion – New Jersey (March 26, 2024)
$1.050 billion – Michigan (Jan. 22, 2021)
$900 million – Current jackpot

Since its launch in 1970, the New Jersey Lottery has contributed nearly $34.7 billion to the state, currently funding public employee pensions under a long-term agreement passed in 2017.

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Key Points

Mega Millions reaches $900 million, the eighth-highest jackpot in its history
Powerball climbs to $490 million with multiple recent NJ winners
Jersey Cash 5, Pick-6, and Cash4Life continue to deliver major payouts

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Chris Quigley is a Staff Writer and Community News Correspondent for Shore News Network, where she covers local government, public safety, community affairs, politics, and issues impacting residents throughout New Jersey. Her reporting focuses on delivering timely, accurate, and relevant news that helps readers stay informed about the communities in which they live and work.

As a member of the Shore News Network editorial team, Quigley works closely with public officials, community leaders, first responders, and local organizations to provide factual coverage of breaking news, municipal government, public policy, and events affecting New Jersey residents. Her work highlights both major developments and the local stories that shape communities across the state.

Quigley is committed to responsible journalism, emphasizing accuracy, source verification, and transparency in every story she reports. She strives to present information in a clear and accessible manner, helping readers better understand the issues, decisions, and events that impact their daily lives.

Through her work at Shore News Network, Chris Quigley contributes to the organization's mission of providing trusted local news coverage, accountability reporting, and community-focused journalism throughout New Jersey.

Chris Quigley is a graduate of Stockton State University and began her career at IN Jersey, the online news and media branch of the Asbury Park Press. She also worked at Monmouth Internet, the Ocean Signal Newspaper, and JTOWN Magazine during her career in both content management and operations.

Degrees: Business B.A. - Stockton University

Experience and interests: Criminal Justice, Business, Animal Care, Entertainment, Lottery News, Local News