The Arkansas Scholarship Lottery’s Natural State Jackpot (NSJ), which is only sold in Arkansas, has reached an all-time high of $500,000. The next NSJ drawing will be at 8 p.m. tonight in Little Rock.

A special event to celebrate this historic high jackpot is planned from 4 to 7 p.m. today at the Quick Fuel Mart, 13420 Otter Creek Parkway in Little Rock. Lottery employees will be there along with Mike Kennedy of The Point 94.1 radio station. Players who purchase a $1 Natural State Jackpot ticket will be able to spin the lucky lottery wheel to win lottery swag.

“We are thrilled that NSJ continues to grow, which has increased the excitement over this game, which is exclusive to Arkansas,” said Eric Hagler, ASL executive director. “For only $1, Arkansas players have an opportunity to win a half a million dollars in Arkansas’ own Natural State Jackpot game. That’s never happened before in our state.”

The NSJ launched in October 2012. The jackpot starts at $50,000 and increases by $5,000 every draw until it hits $150,000. After that, it increases by $10,000 every draw until it is won. The previous record jackpot of $430,000 was hit three years ago.

Players also have two chances to become a multi-millionaire this week with Powerball® and Mega Millions® jackpots totaling more than $505 million. The Mega Millions jackpot stands at $273 million for Friday night’s 10 p.m. drawing. The Powerball jackpot for Saturday night’s drawing at 9:59 p.m. has reached $279 million. 

Life-changing jackpots produce more than just lottery winners. Proceeds from sales drive more money for scholarships. Since 2009, the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery has raised more than $1.1 billion in scholarship proceeds and awarded more than 675,000 scholarships. 

To purchase a ticket, simply visit a local lottery retailer and ask for a computer-generated Quick Pick or choose your own lucky numbers. For more information on game odds and how to play, visit MyArkansasLottery.com.

About the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery

More than 92 cents of every dollar of ASL revenue goes to prizes, scholarships, retailer commissions and other expenses in Arkansas. Since 2009, the lottery has raised more than $1.1 billion in proceeds for scholarships. More than 675,000 college scholarships have been awarded to Arkansans. The lottery has awarded more than $4 billion in prizes to players, about $349 million in retailer commissions and provided more than $154 million in state and federal tax revenue.

Follow the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Visit MyArkansasLottery.com for more information on scholarships, winners, games, odds, promotions – and to join The Club for free. To hear winning numbers, call the Winning Numbers Hotline at 501-682-IWON (4966). To get help with problem gambling, contact the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.