Lottery games have been a part of human society for centuries, offering the dream of instant wealth with a simple ticket purchase. While the odds are often astronomical, the allure of winning millions—or even billions—keeps people around the world playing in the hope of a life-changing jackpot. Over the years, some lotteries have grown so large that their payouts are nothing short of jaw-dropping. In this article, we’ll explore the biggest lottery jackpots ever won, looking at the amounts, the winners, and the stories behind these monumental prizes.
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1. Powerball: $2.04 Billion (November 2022)
The largest lottery jackpot ever won took place on November 7, 2022, when a single ticket in California matched all six numbers in the Powerball drawing, winning a staggering $2.04 billion. The drawing had been rolled over for weeks, and the prize pool had reached unprecedented heights, surpassing the previous record by a wide margin.
Edwin Castro, the lucky winner, opted to take the lump sum payment of $997.6 million after taxes. While little is known about Castro’s plans following the win, his name has become synonymous with the largest lottery payout in history.
This monumental jackpot is a testament to the growing popularity of lotteries like Powerball, which has seen its prize pools increase dramatically in recent years due to higher ticket sales and changes in game mechanics designed to roll jackpots over more frequently.
2. Mega Millions: $1.537 Billion (October 2018)
Before Powerball shattered the record in 2022, Mega Millions held the title for the largest single-ticket jackpot win. On October 23, 2018, one lucky ticket holder from South Carolina claimed the $1.537 billion Mega Millions jackpot. Unlike many winners, this individual chose to remain anonymous, taking the cash option of $877.8 million.
This win was particularly remarkable not only for its size but also for the fact that the winner waited for several months before coming forward. In South Carolina, winners have 180 days to claim their prize, and the ticket holder took their time to make plans before stepping into the spotlight—or, in this case, choosing to remain out of it.
The $1.537 billion Mega Millions jackpot stands as the largest single-ticket lottery win in the United States, and it’s a reminder that, occasionally, the stars align for a life-altering prize.
3. Powerball: $1.586 Billion (January 2016)
While this prize was slightly smaller than the 2022 record-breaker, the January 13, 2016, Powerball drawing still stands out because it was the first lottery jackpot to exceed the billion-dollar mark. The $1.586 billion prize was split between three winning tickets—one from California, one from Tennessee, and one from Florida.
Each winning ticket holder chose to take the lump sum payout of $327.8 million after taxes. The winners, John and Lisa Robinson (Tennessee), Maureen Smith and David Kaltschmidt (Florida), and Marvin and Mae Acosta (California), became instant celebrities following their windfalls.
This record-setting jackpot was a milestone moment for lottery games, demonstrating the potential for life-changing sums as more people participated in Powerball and Mega Millions drawings. The excitement surrounding the billion-dollar prize drew unprecedented attention, making it one of the most talked-about lottery events in history.
4. Mega Millions: $1.35 Billion (January 2023)
Another significant Mega Millions jackpot was won on January 13, 2023, just two months after the record-breaking $2.04 billion Powerball win. A single ticket sold in Maine matched all six numbers, earning the lucky winner $1.35 billion. The winner opted for the lump sum payment of $724.6 million.
This particular win was notable because Maine had never before produced a Mega Millions jackpot winner. The ticket was purchased at Hometown Gas & Grill in Lebanon, and the retailer earned a commission for selling the winning ticket.
Once again, the Mega Millions prize proved that with every rollover, the jackpot grows to previously unimaginable levels, captivating the attention of lottery players and media alike.
5. Powerball: $768.4 Million (March 2019)
On March 27, 2019, Manuel Franco from Wisconsin won an astonishing $768.4 million Powerball jackpot. At just 24 years old, Franco became one of the youngest major lottery winners in history. He opted for the lump sum payout of $477 million, which he described as life-changing but also overwhelming.
Franco’s win came after the jackpot had been growing for several months, and he later spoke about the moment he realized he held the winning ticket, describing it as surreal. His story inspired countless other young people to try their luck in future drawings.
Franco’s win is a reminder that the lottery can strike at any age, and it cemented Powerball’s status as one of the most lucrative games in the world.
6. Mega Millions: $656 Million (March 2012)
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Before the era of billion-dollar jackpots, Mega Millions set a record on March 30, 2012, with a $656 million prize, which was the largest lottery jackpot in the world at the time. The prize was split between three winners—one from Illinois, one from Kansas, and one from Maryland. Each of the winners took a lump sum payment of approximately $158 million after taxes.
The Maryland winners, who were part of a group of public school employees known as “The Three Amigos,” remained largely anonymous, while the Illinois winner, Merle Butler, became a local celebrity in his small town of Red Bud.
This jackpot was historic for its size and marked a turning point in the world of lotteries, as it showed that future prizes could reach even more astounding levels.
7. Powerball: $758.7 Million (August 2017)
On August 23, 2017, Mavis Wanczyk from Massachusetts won a $758.7 million Powerball jackpot, at the time the largest prize ever awarded to a single ticket holder. Wanczyk chose to take the lump sum payment of $480.5 million, which she received after taxes.
Wanczyk, a hospital worker, quickly became a media sensation after her win, and she spoke openly about how she planned to retire and enjoy her newfound wealth. Her story resonated with people across the country, as she was a relatable, everyday person who had suddenly come into an extraordinary fortune.
This win remains one of the largest single-ticket prizes in lottery history, and Wanczyk’s life changed in an instant after purchasing her ticket at a convenience store in Chicopee, Massachusetts.
8. EuroMillions: €230 Million ($253 Million USD, July 2022)
While the United States tends to dominate the world of massive lottery jackpots, Europe has seen its fair share of huge prizes as well. One of the largest came in July 2022 when a single ticket holder from the United Kingdom won €230 million (about $253 million USD) in the EuroMillions lottery.
This record-setting win for the EuroMillions game marked a new high for European lotteries, and the lucky winner chose to remain anonymous. EuroMillions is played across multiple countries in Europe, and its jackpots often climb to eye-watering amounts, rivaling those seen in the United States.
The winner’s identity may be a mystery, but their win is a reminder that life-changing jackpots aren’t limited to North America.
Conclusion
The dream of hitting the jackpot is a universal one, and these massive lottery wins showcase just how life-changing a lucky ticket can be. From billion-dollar prizes in the United States to record-breaking jackpots in Europe, lotteries have created instant millionaires (and billionaires) around the globe. While the odds of winning may be slim, the stories behind these wins remind us all that sometimes, lightning really does strike, and when it does, it can be nothing short of extraordinary.