For millions of Americans, the daily lottery draw is a blend of hope, excitement, and the tantalizing prospect of instant fortune. On September 18, 2025, lottery players across Mississippi, Colorado, California, and New Mexico eagerly awaited the results of their favorite games, each state offering a unique lineup of draws and the promise of life-changing prizes. Let’s take a look at the numbers, the procedures, and the small print that shape the lottery experience from coast to coast.
According to the Mississippi Clarion Ledger, the Mississippi Lottery held its regular slate of draws, headlined by the Mississippi Match 5. The winning numbers for the September 18 drawing were 09, 12, 27, 29, and 30. For those who favor quicker games, the Cash 3 and Cash 4 draws also took place. The Cash 3 Midday numbers were 2-0-7 with a Fireball of 4, while the Evening draw produced 2-9-2 with a Fireball of 0. In the Cash 4 game, the Midday numbers were 6-1-3-0 with a Fireball of 4, and the Evening numbers were 5-2-5-9 with a Fireball of 0. Rounding out the offerings, the Cash Pop game delivered 08 for the Midday and 06 for the Evening draw.
Mississippi is known for its straightforward approach to prize claims. Winnings of $599 or less can be collected at any authorized retailer, making smaller wins easy to redeem. For prizes between $600 and $99,999, winners can either visit the Mississippi Lottery Headquarters in Flowood or mail in their claim with the proper documentation. However, if fortune truly smiles and a player wins $100,000 or more, the claim must be made in person at headquarters, with government-issued ID and a Social Security card required for verification. The state allows winners to opt for electronic funds transfer for large prizes, and, crucially, all prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the drawing date—a detail that’s caught out more than one distracted winner in the past.
Meanwhile, the Colorado Lottery, as reported by the Fort Collins Coloradoan, saw its own rush of anticipation. The Pick 3 Midday numbers were 6-8-8, and the Evening numbers were 2-0-4. In the Cash 5 game, the winning combination was 16, 18, 21, 27, and 30. For those chasing a longer shot, the Lucky For Life game produced numbers 14, 29, 41, 44, and 46, with a Lucky Ball of 04. These draws are not just about the numbers—they’re about access, too. Colorado residents can buy tickets at gas stations, convenience stores, grocery stores, and even some airport terminals. But in a sign of changing times, the Jackpocket app, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, allows eligible players in Colorado and several other states to order tickets, check numbers, and even collect winnings from their phones or computers.
Jackpocket’s digital reach is expanding, offering ticket purchasing in states ranging from Arizona to New York and even Puerto Rico. But as the Coloradoan notes, eligibility restrictions apply, and Jackpocket isn’t affiliated with any state lottery. Players must be physically present in a participating state, and age restrictions vary—18+ in most states, 19+ in Nebraska, and 21+ in Arizona. The app has become a game-changer for those who want to participate without leaving home, but it’s also a reminder of the evolving nature of lottery play in the digital age.
Out west, the California Lottery delivered its own set of results, with the Desert Sun reporting on Daily 3, Daily Derby, Fantasy 5, and Daily 4 draws. The Daily 3 Midday numbers were 2-8-3, while the Evening numbers came in at 5-2-1. The Daily Derby, a horse-racing themed draw, saw Whirl Win (6) take first, Winning Spirit (9) second, and Gorgeous George (8) third, with a race time of 1:47.81. The Fantasy 5 numbers were 03, 08, 27, 29, and 32, and the Daily 4 produced the combination 3-6-9-0.
California’s lottery coverage comes with a heavy dose of responsible gambling messaging. The Desert Sun makes it clear: "Gambling involves risk. Please only gamble with funds that you can comfortably afford to lose." The publication emphasizes that all information is provided in good faith, but mistakes can happen, and gambling should never be considered a guarantee of financial gain. They urge readers to check official sources for results and to seek help if gambling becomes a problem, providing the National Council on Problem Gambling’s hotline numbers for several states. The warnings are a sobering reminder that, for all the excitement, the lottery is still a form of gambling, and not everyone walks away a winner.
In New Mexico, the Las Cruces Sun-News reported on the Pick 3 and Pick 4 draws, as well as the ever-popular Roadrunner Cash. The Pick 3 Day numbers were 1-5-3, and the Evening numbers were 1-7-7. Pick 4 produced 4-5-6-1 for the Day draw and 3-7-7-7 for the Evening. Roadrunner Cash, a staple for local players, delivered 01, 17, 19, 25, and 27 as the winning numbers. While New Mexico’s lottery doesn’t boast the same digital infrastructure as some larger states, it remains a fixture in the daily routines of many residents, offering both hope and, occasionally, a little extra cash.
Across all these states, one thing is clear: the lottery is more than just a numbers game. It’s a cultural phenomenon, woven into the fabric of everyday life. Drawings are held daily—Mississippi’s Cash 3 and Cash 4 at 2:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., Match 5 at 9:30 p.m. CT, and Cash Pop at 2:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.; Colorado’s Pick 3 and Cash 5 at regular intervals; California’s Daily 3, Daily Derby, and others throughout the day; and New Mexico’s Pick 3, Pick 4, and Roadrunner Cash offering fresh chances to win. For those who play, each ticket is a brief escape—a moment to imagine what might be, if only luck tips their way.
But as the warnings and disclaimers in California and Colorado make clear, the lottery is a risky pursuit. The odds are long, and the house always wins in the end. Still, the stories of small victories—claiming a $599 prize at a corner store in Mississippi, or seeing your numbers pop up on a phone screen in Colorado—keep players coming back. And for the lucky few who hit it big, the process is both exhilarating and daunting, with paperwork, identification checks, and sometimes even direct deposits to manage the windfall.
For now, the numbers are in, and the dreams continue. Whether you’re a regular player or just someone who enjoys the thrill of possibility, the lottery remains a uniquely American pastime—full of hope, risk, and the ever-present chance that the next drawing could change everything.