The basics:
- Powerball jackpot climbs to $1.4B, fourth largest in game history
- Two NJ tickets from Monday’s drawing each won $1M prizes
- C-stores report surge in lottery traffic, sales
- Jackpot.com sees strong NJ engagement as billion-dollar prize grows
Powerball fever is sweeping across the Garden State and the nation.
Officials announced Sept. 3 raising the jackpot for Wednesday evening’s drawing to an estimated $1.4 billion. As buzz and ticket sales grow, it sets up what will be the fourth-largest jackpot in the history of Powerball. It also marks the sixth-largest among all U.S. lottery jackpot games.
“Tonight could be the night this billion-dollar Powerball jackpot is won!” said Powerball Product Group Chair and Iowa Lottery CEO Matt Strawn. “Players are excited to take another shot at this growing jackpot, but we encourage everyone to play responsibly. It only takes one $2 ticket to win – all whole supporting good causes in your community.”
The Sept. 3 drawing will mark the 41st since the last winning Powerball jackpot (May 31 in California).
By the numbers:
- A winning player can choose between an annuity estimated at $1.4 billion or a lump sum payment estimated at $634.3 million (before taxes)
- Wednesday’s drawing will broadcast live at 10:59 p.m. ET from the Florida Lottery draw studio in Tallahassee; it will also livestream on Powerball.com
- Overall odds of winning a prize are 1-in-24.9; odds of winning the jackpot are 1-in-292.2 million
- In Monday’s drawing, two New Jersey tickets matched all five white balls to win $1 million – two of just 10 nationwide that won $1 million. The Garden State was the only state with more than one
Locally, the excitement and buzz are being felt as the drawing draws closer.
Big lottery prizes like this absolutely drive more in-store traffic and provide a nice boost to local retailers.
— Eric Blomgren, executive director, NJGCA
“Convenience stores across the state are happy to see the energy and enthusiasm among customers excited about this big jackpot,” Eric Blomgren, executive director, New Jersey Gasoline, C-Store, Automotive Association (NJGCA), told NJBIZ. “Big lottery prizes like this absolutely drive more in-store traffic and provide a nice boost to local retailers.
“Many of these new customers are also buying a cup of coffee or a snack and helping these small businesses prosper and continue serving their community. We encourage everybody to stop in their local corner store and take their shot at the big prize.”
What players need to know
New Jersey Lottery Executive Director James Carey noted the excitement about the huge jackpot – and provided guidance for players in a video (see below). He also pointed out how much this buzz and interest can benefit businesses and communities.
“Since May, retailers earn commissions, which have exceeded $3 million, and the contribution to the state from ticket sales is significant and amounts to over $23 million,” said Carey.
Expecting ‘unprecedented engagement’
Akshay Khanna, co-founder and CEO of Jackpot.com, an online lottery courier that NJBIZ profiled in 2024, said that billion-dollar jackpots are rare.
“Powerball has only crossed that mark seven times in its entire history – and this is the first time since April 2024 we’ve seen it happen,” Khanna told NJBIZ. “Moments like this drive unprecedented engagement: when the jackpot hit $1.765 billion in October 2023, ticket sales surged more than 400% compared to an average week. We expect similar momentum now.
“States like New Jersey, one of Jackpot.com’s fastest-growing markets, consistently see some of the highest participation when jackpots climb this high and have seen 12 Powerball jackpot winners. At Jackpot.com, we’re proud to give Garden State players a safe, convenient way to get in the game online.”
Good luck tonight!
Editor’s note: This story was updated at 4:28 p.m. EST Sept. 3, 2025, with a statement and video from New Jersey Lottery Executive Director James Carey.
