By Sunayana Prabhu
RED BANK – The rock legend Jon Bon Jovi, in partnership with the New Jersey Lottery, launched a new $5 scratch-off game last week at JBJ Soul Kitchen. The ticket celebrates the musician’s ties to the state and supports his nonprofit.
Bon Jovi and Gov. Mikie Sherrill announced the “Jersey Legend: Jon Bon Jovi” ticket Oct. 6 with NJ Lottery executive director Jim Carey.
“This lottery ticket is special because, first and foremost, we hope that it helps provide money for pensions for teachers, for policemen, firemen. We love to have that participation and continuing comfort and dignity for all of those who serve us,” Bon Jovi said during the launch.
JBJ Soul Kitchen is a nonprofit community restaurant serving paying customers and people in need. The restaurant provides nutritious meals regardless of a customer’s ability to pay. JBJ Soul Kitchen celebrates its 15th anniversary this year.
At the launch of the new lottery, Bon Jovi said he would donate his fee for the lottery game to the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation to help fund the next JBJ Soul Kitchen in Monmouth County.
“You have really shown across the state, across the country, and across the world the talent, the style, and really the generosity of New Jerseyans,” Sherrill said, praising Bon Jovi’s contributions to New Jersey communities.
According to Carey, over the past couple of years, the New Jersey Lottery has introduced Jersey-centric tickets. “We’ve been focused on great Jersey things, but this is the first ticket that we’ve done that focuses on a real person,” Carey said.
The tickets feature three designs that showcase moments from Bon Jovi’s stage career and will be sold at nearly 7,000 retailers statewide. Four million tickets have been printed and players 18 and older can win prizes up to $200,000. The game has over $12.9 million in total prizes, with overall odds of winning a prize at 1 in 4.39.
This article originally appeared in the October 8-14, 2026 print edition of The Two River Times.
