On August 16, 2025, lottery enthusiasts across the United States held their breath as a new set of winning numbers rolled out from coast to coast. From South Dakota to California, Mississippi to Washington, and Louisiana to New Mexico, players hoped that their tickets would be the lucky ones to change their lives forever. The day was packed with draws for major games like Powerball, Mega Millions, and a host of local favorites, each with its own unique set of rules, odds, and, of course, dreams.
According to the South Dakota Lottery, the Powerball drawing on August 16 delivered the numbers 23-40-49-65-69, with the Powerball being 23 and a Power Play of 3. These same numbers echoed in several other states, including California, Washington, New Mexico, and Louisiana, as Powerball is a multi-state game. While the winning combination was the same, each state brings its own flavor to the lottery experience, from how winners claim their prizes to the range of additional games on offer.
In South Dakota, alongside Powerball, other draws included Lucky For Life (01-03-08-26-32, Lucky Ball: 10), Lotto America (09-15-34-45-47, Star Ball: 04, ASB: 02), and Dakota Cash (04-05-18-20-26). According to the South Dakota Lottery, Powerball drawings take place at 9:59 p.m. CT on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, while Mega Millions happens at 10 p.m. CT on Tuesdays and Fridays. Lucky For Life is drawn daily at 9:38 p.m. CT, offering regular chances for players to win.
Claiming prizes in South Dakota is straightforward: prizes of $100 or less can be redeemed at any lottery retailer, while larger prizes require a trip to the lottery office or a claim by mail. Jackpot-winning tickets for Dakota Cash, Lotto America, or top prizes in Lucky For Life and Powerball must be presented in person at a lottery office in Pierre, ensuring the biggest winners get their moment in the spotlight.
Meanwhile, in Mississippi, the Mississippi Lottery reported Match 5 winning numbers of 04-09-16-18-30. Cash 3, a daily favorite, produced midday numbers of 2-2-5 (FB: 4) and evening numbers of 2-7-3 (FB: 5). For Cash 4, midday brought 0-6-6-0 (FB: 4), and the evening delivered 3-8-1-6 (FB: 5). Cash Pop, a newer addition, saw the numbers 14 (midday) and 15 (evening). Drawings for these games are held daily, with Match 5 at 9:30 p.m. CT and Cash 3/Cash 4 at 2:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. CT.
Mississippi’s rules for claiming prizes are clear-cut: winnings of $599 or less can be picked up at any authorized retailer. For prizes between $600 and $99,999, winners can claim at the Mississippi Lottery headquarters in Flowood or by mail, provided they submit the original ticket, a claim form, and identification. Any prize of $100,000 or more must be claimed in person at headquarters, and winners are advised to bring a government-issued photo ID and Social Security card. Prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the drawing date, a deadline that keeps excitement—and perhaps a bit of anxiety—alive for months after each draw.
California, famous for its own lottery culture, also participated in the August 16 Powerball draw with the same winning numbers as other states. But the California Lottery offered more: Daily 3 (midday: 4-8-2, evening: 4-2-2), Daily Derby (1st: 9 Winning Spirit, 2nd: 7 Eureka, 3rd: 10 Solid Gold, Race Time: 1:46.47), Fantasy 5 (01-02-09-11-39), Daily 4 (0-8-0-1), and SuperLotto Plus (10-12-19-33-36, Mega Ball: 06). These games, each with their own loyal following, are drawn at various times throughout the day, giving Californians plenty of opportunities to try their luck.
Up in the Pacific Northwest, the Washington Lottery reported Powerball numbers identical to those in other states, but also hosted a slew of local draws. Cash Pop’s winning number was 03, Pick 3 came up 5-2-1, Match 4 was 10-15-18-23, and Hit 5 delivered 01-06-11-14-23. Keno, a rapid-fire favorite, produced a string of numbers including 01, 04, 06, 08, 29, and more, while Lotto had 04-08-13-16-33-37. Powerball Double Play, a second-chance draw, landed on 31-34-43-44-55, Powerball: 02.
Washington’s prize claim rules are designed for convenience: prizes up to $600 can be redeemed at any retailer, while larger prizes can be claimed by mail or in person at a regional office. Winners need to provide a claim form, the signed ticket, and identification, and for those opting for direct deposit, a voided check is also required. Drawings for most games are held daily at 8 p.m. PT, with Powerball and Mega Millions at 7:59 p.m. and 8 p.m. PT, respectively.
New Mexico’s lottery scene was just as lively on August 16. According to the New Mexico Lottery, Powerball’s numbers matched those nationwide, while Pick 3 (day: 3-3-6, evening: 9-4-1), Pick 4 (day: 0-1-2-1, evening: 6-7-9-2), Lotto America (09-15-34-45-47, Star Ball: 04, ASB: 02), and Roadrunner Cash (15-29-30-31-33) brought additional excitement. Powerball Double Play, echoing other states, landed on 31-34-43-44-55, Powerball: 02.
In Louisiana, the Louisiana Lottery reported Powerball numbers in line with the national draw. Pick 3 came up 4-3-4, Pick 4 was 1-4-5-7, Pick 5 hit 2-8-2-0-3, Easy 5 produced 04-09-18-25-31, and Lotto landed on 20-26-29-35-38-39. Drawings for Powerball, Mega Millions, Easy 5, and Lotto are held at 9:59 p.m. CT on their respective days, while Pick 3, Pick 4, and Pick 5 are drawn daily. Prizes up to $600 can be redeemed at retailers, but prizes over $600 must be claimed by mail or in person at lottery offices, with those exceeding $5,000 requiring an in-person visit.
Across all these states, one thing is clear: the lottery remains a deeply embedded part of American culture, offering a moment of hope and a shot at fortune to anyone willing to take a chance. Whether it’s the thrill of scratching off a ticket, the anticipation of watching numbers roll in, or the careful process of claiming a hard-won prize, the lottery’s rituals are as varied as the states themselves.
For players in South Dakota, Mississippi, California, Washington, New Mexico, and Louisiana, August 16, 2025, was another chapter in the ongoing story of luck, dreams, and the pursuit of a life-changing win. With each draw, new winners are made—and countless more are inspired to try again, holding fast to the hope that next time, the numbers might just fall their way.
