While Powerball and Mega Millions capture the public's attention when their jackpots soar into the hundreds of millions, it's other lottery games that pay the freight in New Jersey.
During fiscal year 2015, the New Jersey Lottery sold more than $1.7 billion in scratch-off tickets, which accounted for about 57 percent of the roughly $3 billion the lottery generated last year.
Mega Millions and Powerball, tickets for which are sold across the country, combined make up less than 11 percent of the lottery's revenue. Each sold a little more than $160 million in tickets. Sales for both are heavily dependent on the size of the jackpots. They are run by the Iowa-based Multi-State Lottery Association.
Twice daily draw games Pick 3 and Pick 4 are far more popular on the whole.
The lottery paid out more than $1.8 billion in prize money from July 1, 2014, to June 30, 2015. It contributed about $925 million to the state's coffers — mostly for education but also for human services and military and veteran affairs.
Of the remaining money, the largest chunk ($169.5 million) went to paying commissions to the state's approximately 7,600 lottery retailers.
Amazing ! most of $925M went to education and yet 69% of my sky high property tax went to the school district...someone is stealing !
That was my guess too!
I play the Dream Makers (PB and MM) the most hoping for the ridiculous big hit and all that goes with it.
I play Jersey Cash 5 anytime it goes over $250K. Hoping to relieve stress and lower my blood pressure.
I play scratch offs the least but my biggest win so far is $1,000 on $30 Scratch Off! Go figure.
This is my lucky one so far.
Golfer 1960, Congratulations on your $1,000.00 win on scratchers!!
I do not understand why players say, No Thanks, to the Power Ball when it is already at fifty million dollars.
I play every draw with one ticket. My numbers are just as good as anyone else.
Mega Millions is now at a decent prize level.
They never advertise the losers in scratchers.
Hey music*! I usually get in the PB at $100M also. I'm guilty of that.
Usually its a budget thing especially if I'm in the Jersey Cash 5 game. So I can understand why folks wait.
I see so many people playing pick 3 and pick 4 games so I'm surprised those games weren't the most popular.
I like your stategy of $1.00 in every drawing. That way you're always in it to win it.
Do you play your own numbers or quick pick?
Now I'm only buying C4L every draw and JC5 whenever it's over 300G.
Only buy MM when I go to Delaware, haven't played PB since the record JP of 1.5B
can't remember the last time I bought a scratcher.
Hey,Golfer1960
I did have a $250K limit on JC5 then upped it to $300K.
Later realized that I was buying a lot less tix on that, seems that it hits most between $250K and $300K
so I may move my limit back down.
But when the summer folk get here that JP grows quickly so maybe after summer.
Hey haymaker!!
Tomorrow's Jersey Cash 5 is $429K!!! It's time to make some donuts brother!!! Don't let this one get away from you.
Have a great summer haymaker.
On my way to get one now.
Thanks for the pic...where is that place ?
The Haymaker Inn is in Chard, England. You'll need to go on vacation to visit there. It's a hotel and restaurant.