Lottery jackpot records explained

This is a list of the largest jackpots, or prizes, awarded in various lotteries.

United States

All lottery winnings are subject to Federal taxation (automatically reported to the Internal Revenue Service if the win is at least $600); many smaller jurisdictions also levy taxes. The IRS requires a minimum withholding of 24% of the prize (minus the wager) of any gambling win in excess of $5,000. However, the net for a major prize often is misleading; winners often owe the IRS upon filing a return because the Federal withholding was below the winner's tax obligations. Nonresident U.S. lottery winners have 30% of winnings of at least $600 withheld.[1]

While the largest lottery prizes in the early history of U.S. state lotteries were "annuity-only," these lotteries gradually introduced a "cash option" for these games. All prizes listed below are reported as the pre-withholdings amount, as this is taxable income the player must report on their returns to be subject to taxation. Jackpots and jackpot shares listed below are annuity amounts (and the cash value). The annuities for both the Mega Millions and the Powerball are paid out in 30 annual installments, increasing 5 percent yearly.[2] [3]

Over time, the size of Mega Millions and Powerball jackpots has generally increased because of higher ticket prices, the larger number of states participating (especially after cross-selling was allowed), and the reduced odds of winning.[4]

List of U.S. lottery drawings of $400 million or more (annuity value):[5] [6]

RankGameDateLocationNotes
1$2.04b$997.6m1$997.6mPowerballNov 7, 2022CALargest jackpot for a single ticket; largest cash value for a single ticket.[7]

Due to technical difficulties, the November 7, 2022, draw did not take place until the morning of November 8.[8]

2$1.765b$774.1m1$774.1mPowerballOct 11, 2023CA[9]
3$1.602b$794.2m1$794.2mMega MillionsAug 8, 2023FL[10]
4$1.5864b$983.5m3$327.8mPowerballJan 13, 2016CA, FL, TNFirst lottery jackpot over $1 billion.[11]
5$1.537b$877.8m1$877.8mMega MillionsOct 23, 2018SC[12]
6$1.350b$724.6m1$724.6mMega MillionsJan 13, 2023ME[13]
7$1.337b$780.5m1$780.5mMega MillionsJul 29, 2022IL[14] [15]
8$1.326b$621m1$621mPowerballApr 7, 2024ORDue to technical difficulties, the April 6, 2024, draw did not take place until the morning of April 7.[16]
9$1.130b$537.5m1$537.5mMega MillionsMar 26, 2024NJ[17]
10$1.080b$558.1m1$558.1mPowerballJul 19, 2023CA[18]
11$1.050b$776.6m1$776.6mMega MillionsJan 22, 2021MI[19]
12$842.4m$425.2m1$425.2mPowerballJan 1, 2024ME[20]
13$768.4m$477m1$477mPowerballMar 27, 2019WI[21] [22]
14$758.7m$480.5m1$480.5mPowerballAug 23, 2017MA[23]
15$754.6m$407.2m1$407.2mPowerballFeb 6, 2023WA[24]
16$731.1m$546.8m1$546.8mPowerballJan 20, 2021MD[25]
17$699.8m$496m1$496mPowerballOct 4, 2021CAFirst Powerball jackpot won in a Monday drawing.[26]
18$687.8m$396.2m2$198.1mPowerballOct 27, 2018IA, NY[27]
19$656m$474m3$158mMega MillionsMar 30, 2012IL, KS, MD[28]
20$648m$347.6m2$173.8mMega MillionsDec 17, 2013CA, GA[29]
21$632.6m$450.2m2$225.1mPowerballJan 5, 2022CA, WI[30]
22$590.5m$370.9m1$370.9mPowerballMay 18, 2013FL[31]
23$587.5m$384.7m2$192.4mPowerballNov 28, 2012AZ, MO[32]
24$564.1m$381.1m3$127.0mPowerballFeb 11, 2015NC, PR, TX[33]
25$560m$264.4m1$264.4mMega MillionsJun 4, 2024IL[34]
26$559.7m$352m1$352mPowerballJan 6, 2018NHWinner successfully sued for right to stay anonymous.[35] [36]
27$543m$320.5m1$320.5mMega MillionsJul 24, 2018CA[37]
28$536m$378.3m1$378.3mMega MillionsJul 8, 2016IN[38]
29$533m$324.6m1$324.6mMega MillionsMar 30, 2018NJ[39]
30$530m$345.2m1$345.2mMega MillionsJun 7, 2019CA[40]
31$516m$349.3m1$349.3mMega MillionsMay 21, 2021PA[41]
32$502m$252m2$126mMega MillionsOct 14, 2022CA, FL[42]
33$487m$341.7m1$341.7mPowerballJul 30, 2016NH[43]
34$483m$256.9m1$256.9mMega MillionsApr 14, 2023NY[44]
35$473.1m$283.3m1$283.3mPowerballApr 27, 2022AZ[45]
36$456.7m$269.4m1$269.4mPowerballMar 17, 2018PA[46]
37$451m$281.9m1$281.9mMega MillionsJan 5, 2018FL[47]
38$448.4m$258.2m3$86.1mPowerballAug 7, 2013MN
NJ (2)
[48]
39$447.8m$279.1m1$279.1mPowerballJun 10, 2017CA [49]
40$437m$261.8m1$261.8mMega MillionsJan 1, 2019NY[50]
41$435.3m$263.4m1$263.4mPowerballFeb 22, 2017IN[51]
42$431m$314.4m1$314.4mMega MillionsSep 21, 2021NY[52]
43$429.6m$284.1m1$284.1mPowerballMay 7, 2016NJ[53]
44$426m$293m1$293mMega MillionsJan 28, 2022CA[54]
45$425.3m$242.2m1$242.2mPowerballFeb 19, 2014CA[55]
46$420.9m$254.6m1$254.6mPowerballNov 26, 2016TN[56]
47$414m$230.9m2$115.4mMega MillionsMar 18, 2014FL, MD[57]
48$414m$319.9m1$319.9mMega MillionsJun 9, 2020AZ[58]

Europe

Unlike in the United States, where lottery wins are taxed, European jackpots are generally tax-free (the lotteries themselves are taxed in other ways) and jackpots are paid in a lump sum. For example, in the United Kingdom's National Lottery, wagers are split between the game operator Camelot Group and the government, with Camelot distributing its share among prizes, operating costs, profit,[59] Camelot's "good causes" programme, with the remainder going to the government as tax.[60]

Examples of largest jackpots in specific European lotteries
Jackpot
(local currency)		LotteryCountryTicketsDateNotes
€371.1mSuperEnalottoOne winning ticket split between 90 players[61] 16 February 2023Europe's largest jackpot, €296.9m tax paid
€230.0mEuroMillions1[62] 19 July 2022record in pound £195.7m
€209.1mSuperEnalotto1[63] 13 August 2019
€183.6mEuroMillions ×2,
 ×1		33 February 2006
€177.7mSuperEnalotto130 October 2010Shared by 70 players
€163.5mSuperEnalotto1[64] 27 October 2016
€147.8mSuperEnalotto122 August 2009Sold in Bagnone, Tuscany
€129.8mEuroMillions18 October 2010
€129.6mEuroMillions,
2[65] 12 February 2010UK ticket won by Nigel Page and Justine Laycock of Cirencester; SP ticket was never claimed[66]
€126.2mEuroMillions18 May 2009Won by an anonymous 25-year-old woman from Mallorca
€115.4mEuroMillions129 July 2005Won by Dolores McNamara;[67] largest single jackpot win of Ireland
€102.2mEuroMillions2[68] 6 November 2009Won by Les Scadding and a syndicate of 7 call center workers
€100.0mEuroMillions1[69] 9 February 2007Largest single jackpot win of Belgium is 168m
€100.0mEuroMillions118 September 2009Sold in Venelles; shared by a syndicate of 15 players; largest single jackpot win of France is 220m
€100.0mEuroMillions1[70] 14 May 2010
£42mNational Lottery36 January 1996
€38.4mState Lottery110 May 2013Tax-free lump sum[71]
€37.7mNational Lottery17 October 2006Won by a nurse; largest single jackpot win of Germany is €48.6m

Spain

The Spanish Christmas Lottery is considered to be the world's largest lottery.[79] The 2011 top prize of €720 million was paid out as €4 million[80] (US$5.2 million) to each of the 180 tickets. In 2012, the first prize was €720 million (then US$941.8 million; $1.215 billion in 2022 dollars), out of a total prize pool of €2.52 billion (US$3.297 billion; $4.255 billion in 2022 dollars). In 2016, the total prize pool was €2.310 billion ($2.414 billion).[81] In 2020, the total prize pool was €2.38 billion ($2.897 billion).

Other

Prize
(local currency)		LotteryCountryTicketsDateNotes
¥570mWelfare Lottery (Union Lotto) China112 June 2012Sold in Beijing; Asia's largest prize (€79.3m, US$87.3m)
R$541.9mMega-Sena531 December 2022Five winners: Sold in Florestal (MG), Arroio do Sal (RS), Santos (SP), São José da Bela Vista (SP) and one ticket online. (R$108.3 million each).
A$200MPowerBall2[82] 1 February 2024Australia's largest jackpot shared by 2 winners
A$107.6MPowerBall117 January 2019Australia's largest prize winner
₩$40.7b6/45 Lotto1April 2003Won by a police officer in Chuncheon;[83] South Korea's largest prize
₱1.18bUltra Lotto 6/58214 October 2018The Philippines' largest prize as of 2020 (US$21.9m)[84]
₱741mGrand Lotto 6/55129 November 2010(US$14.5m)[85] [86] [87]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Publication 515 (2023), Withholding of Tax on Nonresident Aliens and Foreign Entities Internal Revenue Service . 2023-12-22 . www.irs.gov . en.
  2. Web site: FAQs. 2022-12-01.
  3. Web site: Difference Between Cash Value and Annuity. 2022-12-01.
  4. News: Yes, huge lottery jackpots are less rare now. Here are 5 things to know about them . March 22, 2024 . Bill Chappell . NPR.
  5. Web site: Powerball Winners. 2016-01-12. https://web.archive.org/web/20160523184521/http://www.powerball.com/powerball/pb_stories.asp. 2016-05-23. dead.
  6. Web site: Mega Millions Winners.
  7. News: Winsor . Morgan . November 8, 2022 . Single ticket wins record $2.04 billion Powerball jackpot . . November 8, 2022.
  8. News: Mangan . Dan . November 8, 2022 . Powerball drawing held for record $2.04 billion jackpot after delay of hours . . November 9, 2022.
  9. Web site: 2023-10-12 . Ticket in California Wins $1.765 Billion Powerball Jackpot . 2023-10-13 . Powerball . en.
  10. Web site: 2023-08-09 . Smashing Jackpot Run Ends With Big Florida Win . 2023-08-10 . Mega Millions . en.
  11. News: Stanglin . Doug . Estepa . Jessica . January 14, 2016 . Winners in 3 states to split record $1.6B Powerball jackpot . . October 30, 2022.
  12. News: March 14, 2019 . Mega Millions winner in South Carolina to share record jackpot with charities . . October 30, 2022.
  13. Web site: Mega Millions jackpot grows to second highest with no winner . 2023-01-11 . NBC News . en.
  14. News: Parker . Nick . Bella . Timothy . July 30, 2022 . Winning ticket for $1.28 billion Mega Millions jackpot is sold in Illinois . . Washington, D.C. . July 30, 2022 . 0190-8286 . 1330888409.
  15. Web site: July 30, 2022 . Summer Splendor – Mega Millions® Jackpot Won in Illinois . October 30, 2022 . . Press release.
  16. Web site: 2024-04-05 . Powerball jackpot increased to $1.3 billion for tomorrow night . 2024-04-06 . Powerball . en.
  17. Web site: March 27, 2024 . First Mega Millions Jackpot of 2024 Goes to New Jersey . March 27, 2024 . . Press release.
  18. Web site: 2023-07-18 . Powerball Jackpot Reaches $1 Billion . 2023-07-18 . Powerball . en.
  19. Web site: January 23, 2021 . Michigan Lottery Player Wins $1 Billion Mega Millions Jackpot . October 30, 2022 . . Press release.
  20. Web site: Murdoch . Robin . 2024-01-02 . Winning Powerball jackpot ticket worth $842 million sold at Michigan food store . 2024-01-02 . FOX 2 Detroit . en-US.
  21. Web site: March 28, 2019 . $768.4 Million Powerball Jackpot Won in Wisconsin . October 30, 2022 . . Press release.
  22. News: April 23, 2019 . Wisconsin man, 24, claims $768.4M Powerball jackpot prize . . October 30, 2022.
  23. Web site: Kaufman . Ellie . Isidore . Chris . August 23, 2017 . We have a Powerball winner! Mavis Wanczyk told her boss she's not coming back . March 24, 2021 . CNN Business.
  24. News: Martin . Ken . February 5, 2023 . Powerball winning numbers drawn for Saturday's $700M jackpot . . February 5, 2023.
  25. Web site: April 20, 2021 . Hard-luck Maryland town gets a $731.1 million Powerball win . July 20, 2022 . Associated Press.
  26. Web site: October 5, 2021 . $699.8 Million Powerball Jackpot Hit, Winning Ticket Sold in California . October 5, 2021 . . Press release.
  27. Web site: October 28, 2018 . $687.8 Million Powerball Jackpot Won in Iowa and New York . October 28, 2018 . . Press release.
  28. News: Beasley . David . March 31, 2012 . Three winning tickets sold in record $656 million U.S. Lottery . . July 30, 2022.
  29. News: Beasley . David . December 19, 2013 . Mega Millions winners in Georgia, California to split $648 MLN . . July 30, 2022.
  30. Web site: January 6, 2022 . Tickets in California and Wisconsin Win $632.6 Million Powerball Jackpot . January 6, 2022 . . Press release.
  31. News: O’Brien . Brendan . May 19, 2013 . Winning ticket for $590.5 million Powerball lottery sold in Florida . . July 30, 2022.
  32. Web site: November 29, 2012 . Powerball jackpot: $587.5 million, 2 winning tickets . July 30, 2022 . The Oregonian.
  33. Web site: February 12, 2015 . $564 Million Powerball Winners Sold in Texas, North Carolina and Puerto Rico . August 3, 2022 . NBC News.
  34. Web site: Mega Millions winning lottery ticket for $560M jackpot sold in Illinois . ABC7 Chicago Digital Team . 7 June 2024.
  35. Web site: Nestel . M.L. . 12 March 2018 . New Hampshire judge rules $560M Powerball winner can remain anonymous . . 26 January 2023 . EN.
  36. Web site: March 7, 2018 . NH Powerball Winner Claims $559.7 Million Prize . August 3, 2022 . . Press release.
  37. Web site: July 25, 2018 . Lucky Mega Millions jackpot winner in California! . May 23, 2021 . . Press release.
  38. Web site: Tan . Avianne . July 29, 2016 . $536 Million Jackpot Finally Claimed by Indiana Couple who Forgot They Bought Tickets . August 3, 2022 . ABC News.
  39. Web site: April 13, 2018 . Winner of $533 million Mega Millions jackpot identified as New Jersey resident Richard Wahl, who checked numbers 15 times . April 13, 2018 . NY Daily News.
  40. Web site: Osborne . Mark . June 8, 2019 . Single ticket in California claims $530 million Mega Millions jackpot . August 3, 2022 . ABC News.
  41. Web site: Adams . Sean . July 2, 2021 . Pa. Group hits $516 million lottery jackpot, largest in the state's history . August 3, 2022 . The Patriot-News.
  42. Web site: Hernandez De La Cruz . Melissa . Lick . Val . October 15, 2022 . 2 winners snag $494 million Mega Millions jackpot . October 30, 2022 . .
  43. Web site: Helsel . Phil . July 31, 2016 . Somebody Just Won the $487 Million Powerball Jackpot . August 3, 2022 . NBC News.
  44. Web site: Charles . Charline . April 15, 2023 . Winning ticket for $476 million Mega Millions jackpot sold in Queens . April 15, 2023 . WPIX.
  45. Web site: April 28, 2022 . Ticket in Arizona Wins $473.1 Million Powerball Jackpot . July 30, 2022 . . Press release.
  46. Web site: Riley . John . March 18, 2018 . Winning ticket sold in $457M Powerball jackpot . November 1, 2022 . USA Today.
  47. News: Woodall . Bernie . January 12, 2018 . Florida 20-year-old claims $451 million Mega Millions jackpot . . Hay . Andrew . August 3, 2022.
  48. Web site: August 8, 2013 . Lottery official: Three tickets match winning numbers for $448 million Powerball jackpot . August 3, 2022 . The Birmingham News.
  49. Web site: Lane . Ed . June 12, 2017 . A single winner reported in California for $447.8 million Powerball jackpot, bought at liquor and deli store . December 8, 2022 . CNBC.
  50. Web site: February 19, 2019 . Long Island Co-Workers Claim $437 Million Jackpot . November 9, 2022 . . Press release.
  51. Web site: Ellison . Jillian . March 13, 2017 . $435.3 million Powerball winner an anonymous Purdue grad . August 3, 2022 . Journal & Courier.
  52. Web site: September 22, 2021 . New York Ticket Wins Mega Millions® Jackpot! . September 28, 2021 . . Press release.
  53. Web site: Strunsky . Steve . May 9, 2016 . Trenton 7-Eleven clerk sold winning $429M Powerball ticket . November 9, 2022 . NJ.com.
  54. Web site: January 29, 2022 . $426 Million Lottery Ticket Sold in California! . March 7, 2022 . . Press release.
  55. News: Kurhi . Eric . St. Fleur . Nick . February 19, 2014 . Milpitas: $425 million lottery ticket sold at Dixon Landing gas station . . December 8, 2022.
  56. Web site: November 27, 2016 . Winning ticket for Powerball's $420.9 million jackpot sold in Lafayette, Tennessee . August 3, 2022 . CBS News.
  57. News: Gonzalez . John . March 19, 2014 . Mega Millions numbers for March 18; two winners of $400 million jackpot . . October 30, 2022.
  58. Web site: June 18, 2020 . Glendale Couple Claims $414 Million Mega Millions Lottery Jackpot . August 3, 2022 . . Press release.
  59. Web site: Lotto price hike will cut percentage per ticket going to charity. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20130125223239/http://www.civilsociety.co.uk/fundraising/news/content/14225/lotto_price_hike_will_cut_percentage_per_ticket_going_to_charity. 2013-01-25.
  60. Web site: Excise Notice 458: Lottery Duty. GOV.UK.
  61. Web site: Superenalotto: centrato il 6 dei record, vinti 371 milioni .
  62. Web site: EuroMillions Results for 19th July 2022 . . 25 January 2023 . EN.
  63. Web site: Dettagli estrazione SuperEnalotto del 13/8/2019.
  64. Web site: Grandi vincite ogni anno. www.superenalotto.it. SuperEnalotto Official Website.
  65. Web site: EuroMillions Results for 12th February 2010 . . 25 January 2023 . EN.
  66. Web site: Foster . Alistair . Britain's biggest lottery winners: Couple scoop £56m jackpot . . 25 January 2023 . EN . 12 April 2012.
  67. Web site: What happened to Dolores McNamara, Ireland's biggest lottery winner?. Multilotto.ie. https://web.archive.org/web/20170728170247/https://www.multilotto.ie/en/lotterynews/what-happened-to-dolores-mcnamara-irelands-biggest-lottery-winner. 2017-07-28. dead.
  68. Web site: EuroMillions Results for 6th November 2009 . . 25 January 2023 . EN.
  69. Web site: EuroMillions Results for 9th February 2007 . . 25 January 2023 . EN.
  70. Web site: EuroMillions Results for 14th May 2010 . . 25 January 2023 . EN.
  71. Web site: Door . Sebastiaan . Waar is de jackpot gevallen van de 10 mei 2013 trekking? . staatsloterijstatistieken . 26 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221002091252/https://www.staatsloterijstatistieken.nl/prijs-gevallen/waar-is-de-jackpot-gevallen-van-de-10-mei-2013-trekking/ . 2 October 2022 . Dutch . dead.
  72. News: EuroMillions jackpot win makes couple richer than Ringo . London . The Guardian . Kirsty . Scott . July 15, 2011.
  73. Web site: Euro-U.S. Dollar History: 2015. 2022-04-21.
  74. News: Biggest ever EuroMillions jackpot again up for grabs this Friday. Diario Sur in English. 2021-02-25. 2022-04-21.
  75. Web site: Recordjackpot valt in Zwitserse loterij: winnaar strijkt ruim 67 miljoen euro op. HLN.
  76. Web site: Magyar Eurojackpot telitalálat - új.... PlayHugeLottos.com.
  77. Web site: Svenska Spel har inte fått tag på storvinnaren. https://web.archive.org/web/20111116210651/http://hd.se/helsingborg/2010/03/28/dromvinsten-pa-214-miljoner-till/. dead. November 16, 2011.
  78. Web site: Житель Новосибирска выиграл в "Гослото" 358 миллионов. February 29, 2016. www.trud.ru.
  79. Web site: El Gordo is right: Spain has world's largest lottery worth $2.4 billion. John. Bacon. USA TODAY.
  80. Web site: elGordo.com - elGordo 2011 Results. www.elgordo.com.
  81. Hundreds of People Just Won Spain's $2.4 Billion Lottery. Time.
  82. https://australia.national-lottery.com/powerball/winners
  83. Web site: Lottery marks 10th anniversary in Korea, gives $25 bln in prizes. www.donga.com. en. 2019-12-03.
  84. News: At last, 2 bettors hit UltraLotto 6/58 jackpot of P1.18 billion . Ramos . Christia Marie . . October 14, 2018. October 15, 2018.
  85. News: Jackpot! Olongapo bettor wins P741.176-M lotto prize. GMA News. November 30, 2010. March 28, 2020.
  86. News: Balikbayan claims P741 million Grand Lotto prize. ABS-CBN News. December 9, 2010. March 29, 2020.
  87. News: Perseus Echeminada. Olongapo Lotto bettor wins P741 million with lucky pick. The Philippine Star. December 1, 2010. March 29, 2020.

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