Across the United States, the thrill of the lottery continues to draw hopeful players eager for a life-changing windfall. On October 3, 2025, several state lotteries revealed their latest winning numbers, offering up new possibilities for lucky ticket holders in Mississippi, Rhode Island, Louisiana, and Oregon. Whether it’s the anticipation of a Mega Millions jackpot or the daily excitement of local draw games, the lottery remains a fixture in American life, blending dreams with the realities of prize claiming and the intricacies of each state’s rules.
Let’s start in Mississippi, where the state lottery held its daily drawings for a variety of games. According to the Mississippi Lottery, the Match 5 winning numbers for October 3 were 12, 16, 17, 27, and 30. For those who favor the Cash 3 game, the midday numbers drawn were 2, 1, and 7, with a Fireball number of 6. Later that evening, the Cash 3 game produced the numbers 7, 8, and 3, again with a Fireball 6. The Cash 4 midday draw revealed 7, 8, 2, and 4, while the evening numbers were 3, 1, 3, and 4—both draws also featured the Fireball 6. For the Cash Pop game, the midday number was 08 and the evening number was 04.
Claiming prizes in Mississippi is a straightforward process, but there are important distinctions depending on the amount won. Prizes of $599 or less can be redeemed at any authorized retailer, making it easy for most winners to collect their cash. For prizes between $600 and $99,999, winners must either visit the Mississippi Lottery Headquarters in Flowood or submit their claim by mail. In both cases, a claim form, proper identification, and the original ticket are required. If the prize exceeds $100,000, the winner must claim it in person at the headquarters, bringing along a government-issued photo ID and a Social Security card for verification. Winners of substantial prizes can also opt for electronic funds transfer, ensuring a secure and direct deposit into their bank account. All lottery prizes in Mississippi must be claimed within 180 days of the drawing date, so time is of the essence for lucky winners.
Drawings for Mississippi’s games are held daily: Cash 3 and Cash 4 at 2:30 p.m. (midday) and 9:30 p.m. (evening), Match 5 at 9:30 p.m. Central Time, and Cash Pop at both 2:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. The Mississippi Lottery encourages winners to visit their website for detailed instructions and necessary forms, ensuring the process is as smooth as possible.
Traveling northeast to Rhode Island, the Rhode Island Lottery also had a busy day of drawings on October 3. The Mega Millions numbers drawn were 18, 19, 38, 54, and 57, with the Mega Ball 19. For those playing Lucky For Life, the winning numbers were 01, 22, 23, 25, and 38, with Lucky Ball 12. The Numbers game saw a midday draw of 8, 1, 9, and 6, and an evening draw of 4, 6, 3, and 7. Meanwhile, the Wild Money game produced the numbers 04, 05, 07, 10, and 23, with an Extra number of 08.
Rhode Island’s prize claiming rules are similar to those in Mississippi, but with some unique twists. Prizes less than $600 can be claimed at any retailer, while prizes of $600 and above must be redeemed at the Lottery Headquarters in Cranston. Mega Millions and Powerball jackpot winners are given a choice: they have 60 days after becoming entitled to the prize to decide between a lump-sum cash payment or an annuity paid in 30 graduated annual installments. Lucky For Life winners, meanwhile, can opt for the top prize of $1,000 a day for life or a lump sum, with a minimum 20-year payout option for the top two prize tiers. This flexibility allows winners to choose the financial arrangement that best suits their needs.
Rhode Island’s lottery schedule is packed, with Powerball drawn at 10:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday; Mega Millions at 11:00 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday; Lucky For Life daily at 10:30 p.m.; Numbers drawn at 1:30 p.m. and 7:29 p.m. daily; and Wild Money at 7:29 p.m. on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. These regular drawings keep players engaged and hopeful for a big payout.
Down in Louisiana, the Louisiana Lottery reported Mega Millions numbers identical to those in Rhode Island and Oregon—18, 19, 38, 54, and 57, with Mega Ball 19—reflecting the multi-state nature of the game. Local draws included Pick 3 numbers 8, 7, and 0; Pick 4 numbers 5, 7, 8, and 7; and Pick 5 numbers 8, 3, 8, 1, and 7.
Louisiana Lottery retailers can redeem prizes up to $600, but for amounts above that, winners must claim their prizes by mail or in person at one of the lottery offices. Prizes over $5,000 must be claimed at the Baton Rouge headquarters. The process involves signing the back of the ticket, submitting a claim form, and providing identification. For those mailing in their claim, it’s recommended to photocopy the ticket and ID (though Powerball and Mega Millions tickets cannot be photocopied for claims). The headquarters is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., offering ample opportunity for winners to collect their earnings.
Louisiana’s drawing schedule is equally robust: Powerball at 9:59 p.m. Central Time on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday; Mega Millions at 10 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday; and Pick 3, Pick 4, and Pick 5 drawn daily at 9:59 p.m. Easy 5 and Lotto round out the week with Wednesday and Saturday drawings.
Out west, the Oregon Lottery also participated in the nationwide Mega Millions frenzy, drawing the same winning numbers as Louisiana and Rhode Island. For local excitement, Oregon’s Pick 4 game offered four separate draws throughout the day: at 1 p.m. (numbers 2, 3, 7, 9), 4 p.m. (5, 5, 6, 0), 7 p.m. (8, 3, 0, 1), and 10 p.m. (1, 6, 1, 4). Oregon’s lottery tickets can be purchased at a wide array of locations, including gas stations, convenience stores, grocery stores, and even some airport terminals. For those preferring the digital route, the Jackpocket app enables online ticket purchases in Oregon and several other states, allowing users to pick games and numbers, place orders, and collect winnings via their phone or computer.
Oregon’s lottery draws are held as follows: Powerball at 7:59 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday; Mega Millions at 7:59 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday; Pick 4 at 1 p.m., 4 p.m., 7 p.m., and 10 p.m. daily; and Win for Life and Megabucks at 7:29 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. The integration of digital services like Jackpocket reflects a broader trend toward convenience and accessibility in the world of lottery gaming.
With millions of tickets sold and dreams riding on every draw, the lottery remains a uniquely American pastime. Whether players are checking the latest numbers at their local retailer, mailing in a claim form, or tapping an app on their smartphone, the hope for a lucky break endures. For winners, the next step is clear: check your numbers, follow the claim instructions, and don’t let that prize slip away—after all, you have just 180 days in some states to make your dream a reality.