The New Jersey Lottery announced that it will add a third weekly drawing to its popular Pick-6 game. Beginning July 12, players can participate in Saturday drawings in addition to the current Monday and Thursday schedule.
The enhancement comes without any price increases or changes to the game matrix or Double Play add-on feature. Pick-6 will remain $2 per play.
“I’m excited about this enhancement,” said New Jersey Lottery Director James Carey. “By having an additional drawing each week, we will see jackpots grow even faster. That means more excitement for everybody!”
Retailers are already implementing changes to their advance-sale process. Players, who could previously purchase tickets for up to 26 future drawings, are temporarily limited to fewer advance purchases until the new schedule takes effect on July 11.
Pick-6 holds a historic place in lottery history as the first game of its kind in the nation when it launched on May 9, 1980, under pioneering director Gloria Decker.
The game’s most recent update came in April 2022 with improved player odds and the addition of Double Play, a $1 add-on offering a chance at a $250,000 prize. These changes contributed to increased sales in fiscal years 2023 and 2024, reaching $80 million.
The New Jersey Lottery partners with nearly 6,800 retailers statewide, who earned $214 million in commissions during fiscal year 2024, averaging over $30,000 per retailer. Retailers selling jackpot-winning tickets can receive bonuses of up to $10,000.