New Jersey lottery player claims $12.3 million Pick-6 jackpot

• A single winning ticket sold in Ocean County has claimed the $12.3 million Pick-6 jackpot from the 24 January 2026 drawing
• The winning numbers were 07, 09, 10, 17, 25, and 30, with the ticket purchased at ShopRite in Waretown
• The winner selected the cash option of $5.6 million rather than the annuity payment

A New Jersey lottery player from Ocean County has won the $12.3 million Pick-6 jackpot in the drawing held on Friday, 24 January 2026, just hours before a major winter storm blanketed the region.

The New Jersey Lottery confirmed that a single ticket matched all six numbers drawn, claiming the entire jackpot prize. The winning numbers were 07, 09, 10, 17, 25, and 30, according to the official NJ Lottery announcement.

Ticket details and cash option

The winning ticket was sold at ShopRite #619, 501 Route 9 in Waretown, Ocean County. The retailer will receive a $10,000 bonus for selling the jackpot-winning ticket.

The winner elected to take the cash option, which totals $5,602,036 rather than the annuity value of $12.3 million. Under New Jersey Lottery procedures, winners can choose between a lump-sum cash payment or an annuity paid over multiple years, with the advertised jackpot figure representing the annuity value.

“This weekend will surely be unforgettable for one particular lottery player,” said James Carey, New Jersey Lottery executive director.

“Hopefully this will be the start of many other life-changing jackpots to come this year!”

Timing and winter storm

The ticket was purchased late Friday night, just hours before the first snowflake hit the Garden State in a storm that blanketed a large section of the United States, according to FOX29. The timing made the win particularly memorable as the Northeast braced for major winter weather.

The $12.3 million prize represents the largest Pick-6 jackpot won in New Jersey so far in 2026 and the fourth prize of at least $1 million this year.

Pick-6 game format

Pick-6 is New Jersey’s flagship in-state jackpot game, with drawings held three times weekly on Monday, Thursday and Saturday evenings at approximately 10:57 pm. Players select six numbers from a field of 1 to 46, with a minimum jackpot starting at $2 million that grows with each drawing until won.

The game underwent format changes in April 2022, when the number matrix changed from 6/49 to 6/46, the Double Play drawing was added, and ticket prices increased from $1 to $2 per play. Saturday drawings were added in July 2025.

The game offers additional prize tiers for matching five, four, or three numbers, though the jackpot prize requires matching all six numbers drawn. Tickets cost $2 per play, with players able to purchase multiple combinations on a single ticket and add the optional Double Play feature for an additional $1.

Recent major wins

The 2026 jackpot continues a strong streak for New Jersey Pick-6 winners. In 2025, the game produced four jackpots:

• 20 January: $32 million jackpot sold at Quick Mart in Jackson, Ocean County
• 20 March: $5.5 million jackpot sold at Clark Cardsmart in Clark, Union County
• 22 May: $5.9 million jackpot sold at Eisenhower Exxon in Roseland, Essex County
• 25 October: $22 million jackpot sold via Jackpocket app in Hudson County

The Pick-6 jackpot has now reset to its $2 million minimum for the next drawing, scheduled for Monday, 27 January 2026.

New Jersey Lottery contribution

New Jersey operates multiple lottery games including Pick-6, Powerball, Mega Millions, Jersey Cash 5, and various instant games. The state lottery generated over $3 billion in sales during fiscal year 2025, with proceeds directed to state programmes including education and institutions.

Lottery proceeds in New Jersey support various state programmes, with the majority of funds directed to education and state institutions. The lottery contributed over $1 billion to state programmes in fiscal 2025, representing approximately one-third of total lottery sales.

Under New Jersey law, lottery winners can remain anonymous. New Jersey enacted legislation in 2020 allowing jackpot winners to shield their identities from public disclosure, joining several other states offering prize winner anonymity.

Winners of prizes over $599.50 must claim their winnings at New Jersey Lottery headquarters in Lawrence Township. The lottery requires winners to complete claim forms and provide identification documentation before prize payment. For jackpot prizes, the lottery conducts verification procedures to confirm ticket authenticity and winner eligibility before releasing funds.