New Jersey Lottery Launched Charity Scratch-off Ticket
Retailers across New Jersey can now stock the five-dollar game featuring music legend Jon Bon Jovi.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Philanthropy
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The New Jersey Lottery has introduced a new scratch-off game, Jersey Legend, which features branding from Jon Bon Jovi. Proceeds from the game contribute to state programs and the JBJ Soul Foundation.
Why it matters
Lottery games represent a major revenue driver for state initiatives, and this partnership links public funding with the charitable operational mission of the JBJ Soul Foundation. For retailers, this introduces a new product category as part of the state's long-standing lottery distribution network.
The Jersey Legend game offers a $200,000 top prize within a total prize pool exceeding $12 million. This adds to the New Jersey Lottery's broader contribution record, which has surpassed $35 billion in state funding since 1970.
The players
New Jersey Lottery
A state-run enterprise responsible for managing public gaming and contributing revenue to state pension programs.
JBJ Soul Foundation
A nonprofit organization that has operated for 15 years to provide community meal services and address food insecurity.
Jon Bon Jovi
A musician and philanthropist whose image and likeness are featured on the new lottery ticket series.
The details
The game is sold at 7,000 locations, with players able to enter non-winning tickets into a second-chance drawing via the New Jersey Lottery VIP Club. Jon Bon Jovi has donated his appearance fee to the JBJ Soul Foundation, which supports initiatives like a planned kitchen expansion in Asbury Park's Mercy Center. This facility follows the nonprofit's 15-year operational history in providing meal services.
Timeline
The New Jersey Lottery launched the scratch-off game on October 6, 2026.
The Asbury Park City Council amended its redevelopment plan in February 2026.
The Mercy Center purchased its new property in June 2025.
Market Landscape
This rollout aligns with the expansion of local community development projects in Asbury Park. The project follows the pattern set by the Asbury Park City Council redevelopment plan in facilitating infrastructure growth for local nonprofits.
Retailers should prepare for customer interest in the new scratch-off game and monitor terminal performance metrics. Operators involved in local charitable projects should track the progress of the Mercy Center kitchen expansion as a model for nonprofit property development.
The takeaway
The partnership highlights how state lottery mechanisms can be leveraged to support long-term nonprofit operational scaling. Operators interested in similar philanthropic integration should monitor the JBJ Soul Foundation's development of the Mercy Center kitchen as a benchmark for community-based impact.
Further reading
For more on state-backed charitable initiatives, see Philanthropy.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Asbury Park Press.
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