On October 13, 2025, lottery players across the United States held their breath as the winning numbers for a slew of popular games were revealed. From the Powerball draws in South Dakota and Connecticut to Pick 3 results in Wisconsin and Mississippi, hopeful ticket holders checked their numbers in anticipation of a life-changing windfall. The day’s results, spanning multiple states and games, painted a vivid picture of the enduring American fascination with the lottery—and the intricate web of rules, schedules, and prize claims that underpin this billion-dollar pastime.
Let’s start with the headline act: the Powerball. According to the South Dakota Lottery, the winning numbers for the October 13, 2025, Powerball draw were 13, 14, 32, 52, and 64, with the Powerball 12 and a Power Play of 2. This combination was echoed across several states, including Kansas, Ohio, Virginia, and Connecticut, each reporting the same set of numbers for the national draw. While the identity of any jackpot winner remained under wraps as of press time, the draw itself captured the attention of millions who had purchased tickets in hopes of striking it rich.
The Powerball wasn’t the only game in town. The Kansas Lottery reported its Pick 3 Midday numbers as 4-0-0 and Evening numbers as 7-6-5, while the Ohio Lottery drew 3-6-6 for its Pick 3 Midday and 6-1-3 for the Evening. In Wisconsin, Pick 3 Midday came up 6-4-4 and Evening 1-9-2. Meanwhile, Mississippi’s Cash 3 Midday result was 0-2-6 with a Fireball (FB) of 8, and the Evening draw was 1-3-0 with FB 2. It’s a dizzying array of numbers, but for seasoned players, these draws are part of a daily ritual, each number sequence holding the promise of a quick payday.
Other multi-state games also grabbed attention. The Lucky For Life draw, which offers winners $1,000 a day for life, revealed the winning numbers 03, 09, 19, 28, 46 with the Lucky Ball 05, according to both the Connecticut Lottery and South Dakota Lottery. Lotto America, another cross-state game, posted 05, 08, 10, 39, and 47 with Star Ball 09 and ASB 03 in both South Dakota and Kansas. The Virginia Lottery’s Cash4Life draw produced 10, 25, 34, 38, and 54 with Cash Ball 04, while its Cash 5 numbers were 05, 10, 23, 29, and 30.
State-specific games added even more variety. The Mississippi Lottery’s Match 5 numbers were 03, 12, 20, 25, and 29, and Wisconsin’s Badger 5 came up 03, 07, 12, 19, and 29. The Connecticut Lottery’s Cash 5 numbers were 16, 20, 30, 33, and 34, while its Play3 Day draw was 1-6-5 with Wild Ball (WB) 0 and Night was 3-0-7 with WB 9. Play4 Day and Night results added more layers, with 4-5-4-5 WB 4 and 7-5-0-7 WB 3, respectively.
But what happens if you’re lucky enough to win? Claiming a prize is a process that varies from state to state and depends on the amount won. In South Dakota, prizes of $100 or less can be claimed at any lottery retailer, while those of $101 or more require mailing in a claim form and the signed ticket—or, for jackpots and major prizes, an in-person visit to the lottery office in Pierre. Kansas, on the other hand, allows claims up to $599 at retailers, with larger prizes redeemable by mail or in person at the headquarters in Topeka. According to the Kansas Lottery, “All Kansas Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $599. For prizes over $599, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at select Kansas Lottery offices.”
Mississippi’s rules stipulate that prizes of $599 or less can be claimed at authorized retailers, while prizes between $600 and $99,999 require a trip to headquarters or a mail-in claim. For prizes of $100,000 or more, winners must appear in person at the Mississippi Lottery headquarters in Flowood, bringing a government-issued photo ID and Social Security card. “Mississippi Lottery prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the drawing date,” notes the Mississippi Lottery, a crucial detail for anyone lucky enough to snag a big prize.
Connecticut’s system is equally detailed. Prizes up to $599 can be claimed at any retailer or by mail, while winnings between $600 and $5,000 are eligible for claim at high-tier centers or headquarters. Prizes above $5,000 must be claimed in person or by mail, but anything over $50,000 requires a personal visit to headquarters, ID in hand. The Connecticut Lottery reminds players: “Winners are required to bring a government-issued photo ID and their Social Security card.”
Wisconsin, meanwhile, allows claims up to $599 at retailers, with prizes from $600 to $199,999 claimed in person or by mail. Any prize of $200,000 or more means a trip to the Madison Lottery office, and Wisconsin’s open records laws mean that the name and city of winners must be released upon request, adding a dose of transparency—and perhaps a bit of anxiety for privacy-minded winners.
Each state also runs its own schedule of draws, making for a packed calendar. Powerball draws take place on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday evenings, typically around 9:59 or 10:59 p.m. Central or Eastern Time, depending on the state. Mega Millions is drawn on Tuesday and Friday nights, and Lucky For Life is a daily event. State games like Pick 3, Pick 4, and Cash 5 often run both midday and evening draws, offering players multiple chances to win each day.
For many, the lottery is more than just a game of chance—it’s a ritual, a glimmer of hope, and sometimes a community event. Whether it’s the thrill of scratching off a ticket at the corner store, watching the numbers roll in on TV, or dreaming up plans for a sudden windfall, the lottery remains a uniquely American pastime. And with every draw, from the Powerball’s multimillion-dollar jackpots to the humble Pick 3, the cycle of hope and anticipation continues.
As the dust settles on October 13’s draws and winners step forward to claim their prizes, one thing is certain: the numbers may change, but the excitement of the lottery endures, drawing in new dreamers with every ticket sold.