A New Jersey man narrowly avoided losing a $5.9 million lottery jackpot after finding the winning ticket in a pants pocket just eight days before it was set to expire. The man, who was not identified by the New Jersey Lottery, had purchased the Pick-6 ticket on May 22, 2025, at the Eisenhower Exxon in Roseland, New Jersey.
Last-minute discovery
When the lottery announced the approaching deadline last month, the man spoke with employees at the gas station where he frequently bought tickets. Although they did not know the winner, they noted that only a few regular customers chose Pick-6 and advised him to double-check his tickets.
Inspired by their suggestion, the man conducted a thorough search of his home. He checked every corner and eventually went through his closet, examining every pants pocket. His persistence paid off when he found a crumpled Pick-6 ticket from the previous May.
After confirming it was the winning ticket, he brought it to the New Jersey Lottery office last Thursday, with only eight days remaining before the expiry date.
Lottery officials remind players to check tickets
“As always, New Jersey Lottery reminds players to check their tickets,” the lottery stated. “While jackpot prizes going unclaimed is rare, many small tickets sit unclaimed in drawers and pockets for months or years when they could be redeemed for cash.”
The man’s story serves as a cautionary tale for lottery players to regularly check their tickets, as even large prizes can be missed if tickets are forgotten.
