You know how it goes. You’re standing in a gas station line, staring at the neon signs, and you think, "Why not?" For a lot of people in West Virginia, that "why not" happens four nights a week with Cash 25. It’s the local favorite. It’s not the billion-dollar headline grabber like Powerball, but it's the one people actually win. Honestly, that’s why we track it so closely.
Yesterday, specifically Thursday, January 15, 2026, the drums rolled at the West Virginia Lottery headquarters. If you’ve got a ticket stuffed in your visor or sitting under a fridge magnet, you’re looking for these specific numbers.
Cash 25 winning numbers West Virginia yesterday: The results
The winning numbers for the Thursday draw were 3, 4, 10, 16, 17, and 24.
Did you hit?
If you managed to match all six, you’re looking at a $25,000 top prize. That’s the beauty of this game. It isn’t a pari-mutuel nightmare where you have to share the pot with 500 other people and end up with enough for a sandwich. In West Virginia, if you win, you get the full $25,000, provided there aren't more than ten jackpot winners. If 11 or more people somehow pick the exact same six numbers, they split a $250,000 pool. But let’s be real—the odds of 11 people hitting the same 6-out-of-25 combination are incredibly slim.
Breaking down the prize tiers
Not everyone hits the big one, but the "consolation" prizes aren't half bad for a game that only costs a buck to play.
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- Match 5 of 6: You’ll pocket $250.
- Match 4 of 6: That gets you $10.
- Match 3 of 6: You get your $1 back. Basically a free play.
The odds of hitting that $25,000 jackpot are 1 in 177,100. Compared to the 1 in 292 million for Powerball? Those are actually some of the best jackpot odds in the entire country. It’s why West Virginians love this game. It feels reachable.
Why people keep playing Cash 25
Most people don't realize that Cash 25 is a "state-only" game. That means the money stays here. It’s not being funneled into a massive national pool. The revenue helps fund seniors, education, and tourism in the Mountain State.
There's a certain strategy people try to use, though experts (and the lottery office) will tell you it's all random. Some players swear by the "balanced" approach. They try to pick three odd and three even numbers. Looking at yesterday’s numbers—3, 17 (odd) and 4, 10, 16, 24 (even)—it was a 2-odd, 4-even split. Close enough to satisfy the theorists.
Another thing? You’ve only got 180 days to claim. I’ve seen stories of people finding tickets in old winter coats months too late. Don’t be that person. If you won $600 or less, you can just walk into any lottery retailer. They’ll scan it and hand you the cash right there. For the full $25,000, you’ll need to make a trip to Charleston or mail it in with a claim form and a copy of your ID.
The technical side of the draw
The West Virginia Lottery doesn't just pull these out of a hat. They use a dedicated drawing machine. It happens every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday at 6:49 PM. It’s quick, efficient, and usually over before you’ve even settled in for the evening news.
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A lot of folks wonder if there's a "hot" number. Statistically, every number from 1 to 25 has the exact same mathematical probability of being drawn. But players still look at the charts. They see that "10" has popped up quite a bit lately and they chase it. Or they see a number hasn't appeared in weeks and they bet on the "overdue" factor.
The truth is, the machine doesn't have a memory. It doesn't know that it picked 4 yesterday. It just picks.
How to check your tickets safely
Mistakes happen. People misread "16" for "10" all the time in the dim light of a kitchen.
- Use the Official App: The West Virginia Lottery has an official app where you can scan your ticket. It’s the most foolproof way.
- Retailer Terminals: Any place that sells tickets has a "Check-a-Ticket" machine.
- The Website: WVLottery.com is the source of truth.
Actionable steps for your win
If you realize you’re holding the winning ticket from yesterday, stop. Take a breath.
First, sign the back of that ticket immediately. In the eyes of the law, a lottery ticket is a "bearer instrument." That means whoever holds it, owns it. If you drop a winning, unsigned ticket and someone else picks it up, it's technically theirs.
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Second, put it somewhere safe. Not in your wallet where it can get worn down or lost. A safe or a locked drawer is better.
Third, check the date. Since yesterday was January 15, you have until mid-July to claim your prize. You don't have to rush to Charleston tomorrow morning, but don't sit on it for five months either.
If you didn't win this time, the next draw is coming up fast. The schedule is consistent: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Just remember to play for the fun of it. The $25,000 is a life-changer for most, but it’s still a game of chance.
Double-check those numbers one last time: 3, 4, 10, 16, 17, 24. If they match, congratulations. You just had a very good Thursday.
Go to the West Virginia Lottery official website or visit a local retailer to verify your ticket and start the claim process if you have a winner.