New Jersey Lottery contributes more than $1 billion to state pension fund for ninth straight year
TRENTON, N.J. — The New Jersey Lottery contributed an unaudited $1.01 billion to the state’s public employee pension fund during fiscal year 2026, marking the ninth consecutive year the lottery has generated more than $1 billion for the retirement system.
Lottery officials said the contribution came as total ticket sales reached $3.49 billion for the fiscal year ending June 30, a 4.6% increase from the previous year. Players won more than $2.1 billion in prizes.
“For nearly a decade, the Lottery has consistently delivered over $1 billion annually to support the pension system,” said Executive Director James A. Carey. “This year’s contribution forms part of Governor Mikie Sherrill’s full pension payment, the sixth consecutive year of full funding after decades of shortfalls. The Lottery continues to demonstrate its value as a reliable revenue source for the state.”
Lottery officials said the final pension contribution is expected to increase once year-end accounting is completed.
Scratch-Off tickets remained the lottery’s top-selling product, generating $1.9 billion in sales, while Powerball posted the largest year-over-year growth. Powerball sales climbed 89.4% to $315.9 million, fueled in part by two jackpots exceeding $1 billion during the fiscal year. For the first time, Powerball sales surpassed Pick-4.
Jersey Cash 5 also recorded growth, with sales rising 6.2% to $186 million. Players won 67 jackpots during the year, including 13 prizes of more than $1 million.
The lottery reported 209 prizes of $100,000 or more during fiscal year 2026, up from 180 the previous year. Of those winners, 75 claimed prizes of at least $1 million.
Among the year’s largest prizes were a $90 million Mega Millions jackpot, a $22 million Pick-6 jackpot, a $12.3 million Pick-6 jackpot, a $7 million Cash4Life prize and a $6.5 million Pick-6 jackpot.
Lottery officials also highlighted two unusual winning streaks during the year. In early September 2025, 34 players from 18 counties won prizes ranging from $10,000 to $1 million over one week. On April 29, a single Powerball drawing produced 18 New Jersey second-tier million-dollar winners, including four players who doubled their prizes to $2 million with the Power Play option.
Despite overall sales growth, Mega Millions sales declined 22.4% to $146.9 million, which lottery officials attributed to the absence of a billion-dollar jackpot during the fiscal year.
“We’re committed to innovation and meeting players where they are,” said Carey. “Our partnership with Northstar New Jersey Lottery continues to explore fresh approaches to game design, marketing, and player engagement.”
More than 6,500 New Jersey businesses earned approximately $200 million in commissions and $2.5 million in bonuses for selling top-prize winning tickets during the fiscal year, according to the lottery.
Since its launch in 1970, the New Jersey Lottery has contributed more than $35.7 billion to support state programs and services. Under a 30-year agreement enacted in 2017, lottery profits are dedicated to the state’s public employee pension system.
