Check your tickets. Seriously.
If you bought a ticket for Saturday, January 17, 2026, you're looking for a specific set of digits. The Oregon Megabucks winning numbers last night were 7, 8, 13, 37, 38, and 42.
It’s a weirdly "clumpy" set of numbers, isn't it? You’ve got that low 7 and 8 combo, then a jump to 13, and then a massive leap into the high 30s and 40s. Most people hate picking consecutive numbers like 7 and 8 or 37 and 38 because they feel "unlikely." But math doesn't care about your feelings. Every combination has the exact same 1-in-6,135,756 chance of hitting.
The jackpot for this specific drawing sat at an estimated $7.5 million.
Why "Oregon's Game" Still Matters in the Age of Billions
Look, we all see the headlines when Powerball or Mega Millions hits a billion dollars. It’s flashy. It’s national. But honestly? Your odds of winning those are astronomical. Like, "getting struck by lightning while being bitten by a shark" astronomical.
Oregon Megabucks is different. It’s local. Only people in Oregon (or those using legitimate messenger services) are playing. This means you aren't competing against 300 million other people. The odds are actually significantly better than the big national games.
The Kicker: The Strategy Nobody Talks About
Did you play the Kicker?
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Most casual players skip it to save a buck. Big mistake. Basically, for an extra $1, you can quadruple your non-jackpot prizes. If you matched four numbers last night without the Kicker, you’re looking at maybe $40. With the Kicker? That's $160.
It turns a "neat, I won lunch money" moment into a "let's go out for a nice dinner" moment.
If you matched 3 numbers last night, you usually win a free ticket. But if you had the Kicker, you get $4 cash instead. It’s a small detail that changes the game’s value proposition entirely.
What Really Happened With the $7.5 Million Jackpot
The lottery world is funny. People think the jackpot stays the same until someone wins. Nope.
Following the January 14 drawing, which had a jackpot of $7.4 million, the pot rolled over. Because no one hit all six numbers (6, 11, 25, 28, 36, 48) on Wednesday, the prize grew by another $100,000.
Since the pandemic, the Oregon Lottery adjusted how the jackpot grows. It used to be more fluid, but now it typically increases by a steady $100,000 per drawing if there's no winner. It’s slow and steady. It’s predictable.
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Common Misconceptions About Winning Numbers
- "Hot" and "Cold" numbers are a thing. They aren't. Just because 7 and 8 showed up last night doesn't mean they are "due" or "hot." The balls don't have memories.
- Quick Picks are worse than picking your own. Actually, about 70% of winners are Quick Picks. Why? Because about 70% of people use Quick Picks. The odds are identical.
- You have to be a resident to win. Nope. You just have to buy the ticket within state lines. If you were road-tripping through Ontario or Portland and grabbed a ticket, you're good.
The Reality of the Odds
Let's get real for a second. 1 in 6.1 million is still a huge number.
To put it in perspective, imagine a line of 6.1 million people stretching from Portland all the way down to San Francisco and then some. Only one person in that line is holding the winning ticket.
But compared to Powerball's 1 in 292 million? Megabucks looks like a sure bet. Sorta.
How to Claim Your Prize Without Losing Your Mind
If you realized those Oregon Megabucks winning numbers last night match your ticket, don't run to the store immediately.
- Sign the back. This is a "bearer instrument." Whoever holds it, owns it. If you drop it in the parking lot and someone else finds it, it's theirs—unless your signature is on it.
- Take a photo. Keep a digital record of both sides of the ticket.
- Check the expiration. You have one year from the drawing date to claim. Don't be that person who finds a winning ticket in a glove box 366 days later.
- Validation. You can check your ticket at any lottery retailer, but for the $7.5 million jackpot, you're going to need to visit the Oregon Lottery headquarters in Salem.
Actionable Steps for the Next Drawing
Since last night's numbers are now in the history books, focus on the next one.
1. Double check your numbers via the official app. The "Oregon Lottery" app has a scanner. It's much more reliable than your tired eyes at 11 PM.
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2. Evaluate the Kicker. If you're going to play, decide now if you're a "jackpot or bust" player or if you want those mid-tier wins to actually mean something.
3. Set a limit. The lottery is entertainment. If you're spending money you need for the electric bill, the odds are never in your favor.
4. Check the "Raffle" option. If you want the best odds in Oregon to actually become a millionaire, keep an eye out for the annual Raffle. The odds there are often 1 in 250,000, which is miles better than any Megabucks drawing.
Whether you're holding a winning ticket for the January 17 draw or just planning for the next Monday night game, keep it fun. Those numbers—7, 8, 13, 37, 38, 42—are gone now. The machine is already resetting for the next $7.6 million attempt.
Next Steps:
Go to the official Oregon Lottery website or download their mobile app to scan your physical ticket. If you've won a prize over $600, you will need to fill out a claim form, which can be submitted by mail or in person at the Salem office. For smaller prizes, any lottery retailer in the state can pay you out immediately.