TRENTON (Dec. 31, 2019) – New Jersey Lottery is closing out 2019 and looking to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2020. More than 40 prizes over $1,000,000 were won in 2019! Here’s a quick look at the top five prizes won by New Jersey players in 2019.

1:  $273,000,000 - Mega Millions

The Mega Millions drawing on March 1, 2019, produced a $273,000,000 jackpot winning ticket in Phillipsburg, Warren County. The prize was claimed by Michael Weirsky of Alpha, New Jersey. Michael almost missed the opportunity with his ticket when he temporarily forgot it at the store after purchasing the ticket. A Good Samaritan at the store held the ticket for safe keeping and returned it to Michael – all before the drawing took place.

2:  $9,500,000 - Pick-6

The Pick-6 drawing on September 30, 2019, produced a $9,500,000 jackpot winning ticket in Newark, Essex County. As of now, the ticket has not yet been claimed. The lucky ticketholder will have one year from the date of the drawing to claim their prize. The winning numbers were 14, 22, 26, 29, 36 and 48.

3 & 4:  $5,000,000 - Lucky 7’s

Two lucky New Jersey players hit it big with the $5,000,000 Lucky 7’s Scratch-Offs game. The first ticket was claimed in May, and was purchased at the Quick Shop in Franklin Lakes, Bergen County. The second ticket was claimed just two months later in July, and was purchased at Oprandy’s Wine & Liquor in Englewood, Bergen County.

5:  $4,500,000 - Pick-6

The Pick-6 jackpot was hit in 2019 for the first time on February 25 in Kearny, Hudson County. The ticket was claimed by Stanley McKelvin of Linden, who was overwhelmed when he realized he won. "I don't want to sound cliché, but they say all you need is a dollar and a dream, and it's true," Stanley said.

Honorable mentions:

1. A 200X The Money Bonus ticket worth $4,000,000, sold in Cedar Grove, was claimed in October.
2. A $3,000,000 Cash Out jackpot-winning ticket, sold in Vineland, was claimed in February.
3. Another $3,000,000 Cash Out jackpot-winning ticket, sold in Cape May, was claimed in September.

New Jersey Lottery would like to congratulate all of its winners in 2019. We are looking forward to our 50th Anniversary in 2020 and the new winners the year may bring.