There was one third-tier prizewinning ticket sold for the Friday, December 31, drawing that matched four of the five white balls and the Gold Mega Ball drawn winning the $10,000 prize. That ticket was purchased at Best Buy Wine & Liquor, 315 Kearny Ave., Kearny in Hudson County.
In addition to the third-tier prize won, 24 players matched four of the five white balls drawn making each ticket worth $500. One of those tickets was purchase with the Megaplier, multiplying the prize to $1,500. Moreover, 49,663 other New Jersey players took home $213,148 in prizes ranging from $2 to $600. The winning numbers for the Friday, December 31, drawing were: 02, 05, 30, 46, and 61. The Gold Mega Ball was 08, and the Megaplier Multiplier was 03.
The jackpot rolls to $244 million for the next drawing to be held on Tuesday, January 4, at 11:00 pm. All New Jersey Lottery Mega Millions tickets must be purchased before 10:45 pm to participate in the drawing. Mega Millions tickets cost just two dollars; by adding the Megaplier option for an extra dollar per play, players can increase their non-jackpot winnings up to five times. Mega Millions tickets are sold in 46 participating jurisdictions. Drawings are held on Tuesdays and Fridays.