New Jersey Lottery Director Reflects on Powerball Jackpot
Powerball Jackpot Reaches $1.4 Billion Ahead of Tonight’s Drawing
As top prize climbs, record sums come into focus
TRENTON (September 3, 2025) – The Powerball Jackpot has reached an estimated $1.4 billion heading into tonight’s drawing, the multi-state game’s fourth largest and the sixth highest among all games in U.S. lottery history.
New Jersey Lottery Executive Director James Carey knows well the excitement that goes into record-setting jackpots. He spoke Wednesday morning before the jackpot was raised to $1.4 billion from $1.3 billion. In the interview, he discussed the game, its impact nationally and on New Jersey while providing guidance for players. The complete interview can be viewed here.
“In my seven years (as director), I’ve met six winners of Powerball or Mega Millions jackpots,” Mr. Carey said. Indeed, in March 2024 Mr. Carey celebrated the Garden State’s largest lottery win, a $1.13 Mega Millions jackpot in the Monmouth County township of Neptune. Not long after, a Camden County player in South Jersey won a $220 million Powerball jackpot.
Tonight’s drawing is the 41st since the jackpot was last won in May, the second longest run in game history. The longest span covered 42 drawings in 2024.
The $1.4 billion jackpot is an annuity prize, paid over 30 years. Players have the option to choose the cash value, which stands at $634.3 million.
“Whether you take the cash or the annuity depends on your individual situation,” Mr. Carey said. “If you’re the winner, you should talk to a financial professional for guidance. Take time to make well-informed decisions.”
Mr. Carey emphasized that players don’t need to hit the jackpot to win big. In the last four drawings, 23 New Jersey players have won prizes of at least $50,000, including two who each won $1 million.
“Powerball creates lots of winners beyond the jackpot,” Mr. Carey said. “In Saturday’s drawing, 10 tickets across the country won prizes of $1 million or more.”
It’s not just the players who benefit from prizes. Mr. Carey underscored the benefit to businesses and communities.
“Since May, retailers earn commissions, which have exceed $3 million, and the contribution to the state from ticket sales is significant and amounts to over $23 million,” Mr. Carey said.
The top five Lottery jackpots of all time are:
· Powerball: $2.04 billion, Nov. 7, 2022, California;
· Powerball: $1.765 billion, Oct. 11, 2023, Caifornia;
· Mega Millions: $1.602 billion, Aug. 8, 2023, Florida;
· Powerball: $1.586 billion, Jan. 13, 2016, California, Florida, Tennessee;
· Mega Millions: $1.537 billion, Oct. 23, 2018, South Carolina.
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View all New Jersey Lottery game winning numbers and drawings for the Pick-3, Pick-4, Jersey Cash 5, Pick-6, and CASH4LIFE games on the Lottery website (www.NJLottery.com) or on the official Lottery Facebook Page. Powerball and Mega Millions drawings can be seen on WABC-TV or WTXF stations.
