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The 10 biggest US lottery jackpots
All of the ten biggest US jackpots topped US$1.2 billion, and eight of them came in 2022 or later. Powerball holds 5 of the 10, including the world record of US$2.04 billion.[1]
1Ranking
| # | Jackpot | Game | Date | State |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | US$2.040 billion | Powerball | 7 Nov 2022 | California |
| 2 | US$1.787 billion | Powerball | 6 Sep 2025 | Missouri and Texas |
| 3 | US$1.765 billion | Powerball | 11 Oct 2023 | California |
| 4 | US$1.602 billion | Mega Millions | 8 Aug 2023 | Florida |
| 5 | US$1.586 billion | Powerball | 13 Jan 2016 | California, Florida and Tennessee |
| 6 | US$1.537 billion | Mega Millions | 23 Oct 2018 | South Carolina |
| 7 | US$1.348 billion | Mega Millions | 13 Jan 2023 | Maine |
| 8 | US$1.337 billion | Mega Millions | 29 Jul 2022 | Illinois |
| 9 | US$1.326 billion | Powerball | 7 Apr 2024 | Oregon |
| 10 | US$1.269 billion | Mega Millions | 27 Dec 2024 | California |
2What the numbers show
- These are annuity figures. The cash option is usually a little under half. Work out the net with the calculator.
- California dominates the list: it is the most populous state and the only one where all prizes are pari-mutuel.
- Jackpots roll in streaks. Once a jackpot passes US$1 billion, sales jump, and so does the chance that someone wins.
3Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest lottery jackpot ever?
The US$2.04 billion Powerball jackpot of 7 November 2022, won with a single ticket sold in California.
How much did that winner actually receive?
The winner took the cash option, about US$997.6 million before tax: less than half the advertised figure, which is the value of the 30-year annuity.
Why are jackpots getting bigger?
Matrix changes in 2015 (Powerball) and 2017 (Mega Millions) made the jackpot harder to hit, so it rolls over for longer. Higher interest rates also raise the advertised annuity value.
Sources
- Associated Press (via The Washington Times), "The 10 largest US lottery prizes ever won", 16 Dec 2025. m.washingtontimes.com