Bon Jovi And NJ Lottery Ready To Harmonize

While most state lotteries are busy announcing NFL-themed games and promotions with the start of the regular season just two weeks away, the New Jersey Lottery is offering a very New Jersey alternative: Jon Bon Jovi-themed scratch-offs.

The NJ Lottery announced this week a partnership with the frontman of the iconic Jersey rock group, with the first Bon Jovi scratchers available Oct. 5. The tickets will have a $5 price point and offer cash prizes up to $200,000.

“Jon Bon Jovi is synonymous with New Jersey,” said New Jersey Lottery Executive Director Jim Carey in the press release, “and we’re excited to celebrate our shared sense of Jersey pride with players across the state through these scratch-offs.”

Added Bon Jovi: “I will always call New Jersey home, so I’m happy to join the New Jersey Lottery in celebrating the place that holds so many of my favorite personal and career memories.”

You play your part, and I’ll play my game

The partnership may be new, but the passion for lottery play was, in retrospect, always there in Bon Jovi’s music. Lottery Geeks has identified a dozen songs by Bon Jovi (either the band or from Jon’s solo career) that should have told us the man loves playing the numbers:

“Livin’ on a Prayer”: Tommy’s working on the docks, Gina’s grinding it out at the diner all day, but a $2 Powerball ticket and a little praying could save them from that life. As lottery players know, most of the time, you lose. And every time Gina’s ticket turns out to be worthless, Tommy whispers, “Baby, it’s OK. Someday …”

“Wanted Dead or Alive”: The title of this classic hit was a prescient reference to the exploits of scofflaw jackpot winner James Farthing.

“Living in Sin”: Bon Jovi’s declaration of moral judgment against New Jersey kids who are under 18 and try to buy lottery tickets.

“Blaze of Glory”: Jon’s solo hit from the Young Guns II soundtrack offers perhaps the most relatable refrain of all his lottery-themed songs. Who among us hasn’t gone down in a blaze of glory scratching aluminum powder off a card?

“Keep the Faith”: The words we tell ourselves the next time we return to the convenience store after going down in a blaze of glory.

“Hey God”: Whether you’re calmly requesting luck or angrily complaining about your lack thereof, these two words are spoken frequently by lotto enthusiasts.

“Something for the Pain”: This track appropriately follows “Hey God” on Bon Jovi’s most underrated album, These Days, as a “Hey God” is often followed by a request to “Give me somethin’ for the pain, give me somethin’ for the blues.”

“Hearts Breaking Even”: Jon keeps his emotions in check with this one — although given the typical lottery ROI, breaking even counts as winning.

“It’s My Life”: The hit that propelled Bon Jovi back onto the mainstream charts in 2000 is clearly quoting a lottery player after their spouse tells them to stop wasting money on lotto tickets. (By the way, this has nothing to do with the lottery angle, but can we all agree “Like Frankie said, ‘I did it my way’” is one of the cringiest lyrics in rock history?)

“Have a Nice Day”: Here, Jon is quoting his favorite convenience store clerk after he pops in for a stack of Mega Millions tickets.

“Story of My Life”: What lottery player hasn’t muttered this refrain after the nightly drawing contains none of their chosen numbers?

“Work for the Working Man”: A song about something you’ll never have to do again once you hit that jackpot.

“Living in Paradise”: The title of this 2024 song, which also features Ed Sheeran, is fairly self-explanatory. It’s about Tommy and Gina once their prayers finally get answered.