$291 MILLION: Mega Millions lottery jackpot enters top 25 list

Dec 4, 2013, 8:18 am (49 comments)

Mega Millions

By Todd Northrop

Lottery players across the United States will be lining up at lottery retailers for their chance to win Friday's massive $291 million Mega Millions jackpot, after nobody won Tuesday's $257 million grand prize.

The cash value stands at a staggering $157.2 million.

With the new Friday jackpot, both the annuity jackpot and lump-sum cash value enter into the top 25 United States lottery jackpots.  (See full list below.)

Friday's Mega Millions jackpot is the accumulation of 18 consecutive drawings without a top prize winner.  The current jackpot run-up started on October 4 as a $12 million grand prize.

Players should note that jackpot amounts are conservative estimates provided by the lotteries, and are often somewhat higher by the time the drawing occurs.

In the latest Mega Millions drawing that took place this past Tuesday night, there was no jackpot winner, but 1 lucky player from Missouri matched the first 5 numbers for a $1,000,000 prize.

The Missouri winner did not purchase their ticket with the Megaplier option for an extra $1 per play. If they had, their prize would have been increased to $3 million, because the Megaplier number drawn was 3.

The Megaplier option is not available in California, because the fixed nature of the prize increase offered with the Megaplier is not compatible with California's pari-mutuel payouts. By law, California awards all prizes on a pari-mutuel basis, meaning the prizes will change each drawing based on the number of tickets sold and the number of tickets that won at each prize level.

A total of 73 tickets matched four of the first five numbers plus the Mega Ball to win a $5,000 prize. Of those tickets, 17 were sold in California, where the prize awarded this drawing is $2,566.

The Mega Millions winning numbers for Tuesday, December 3, 2013, were 7, 12, 41, 44, and 59, with Mega Ball number 3. The Megaplier number was 3.

Following the Tuesday drawing, the Mega Millions annuity jackpot estimate was raised $34 million from its previous amount of $257 million. The cash value was raised by $18 million, from its previous amount of $139.2 million.

Mega Millions is currently offered for sale in 43 states, plus Washington, D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Drawings are Tuesdays and Fridays at 11:00 pm Eastern Time. Tickets cost $1 each.

A 44th Mega Millions state may be added in early 2014, as the state of Wyoming has approved a new state lottery with the intention of joining multi-state lottery games. (See Wyoming officially becomes 44th state with a lottery, Lottery Post, Mar. 14, 2013.)

The Mega Millions winning numbers are published at USA Mega (www.usamega.com) minutes after the drawing takes place.

Top 25 United States lottery jackpots of all time

Friday's Mega Millions jackpot currently stands as the 24th-largest lottery jackpot of all time in the United States.  That position may rise before the drawing Friday night, as lotteries are typically conservative in their initial estimates, and brisk sales may push the jackpot estimate higher by draw time.

  1. Mega Millions: $656 million, Mar. 30, 2012 - Illinois, Kansas, Maryland
  2. Powerball: $590.5 million, May 18, 2013 - Florida
  3. Powerball: $587.5 million, Nov. 28, 2012 - Arizona, Missouri
  4. Powerball: $448.4 million, Aug. 7, 2013 - Minnesota, New Jersey (2)
  5. Powerball: $399.4 million, Sep. 18, 2013 - South Carolina
  6. Mega Millions: $390 million, Mar. 6, 2007 - Georgia, New Jersey
  7. Mega Millions: $380 million, Jan. 4, 2011 - Idaho, Washington
  8. Powerball: $365 million, Feb. 18, 2006 - Nebraska
  9. The Big Game: $363 million, May 9, 2000 - Illinois, Michigan
  10. Powerball: $340 million, Oct. 19, 2005 - Oregon
  11. Powerball: $338.3 million, Mar. 23, 2013 - New Jersey
  12. Powerball: $337 million, Aug. 15, 2012 - Michigan
  13. Powerball: $336.4 million, Feb. 11, 2012 - Rhode Island
  14. Mega Millions: $336 million, Aug. 28, 2009 - California, New York
  15. The Big Game: $331 million, Apr. 16, 2002 - Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey
  16. Mega Millions: $330 million, Aug. 31, 2007 - Maryland, New Jersey, Texas, Virginia
  17. Mega Millions: $319 million, Mar. 25, 2011 - New York
  18. Mega Millions: $315 million, Nov. 15, 2005 - California
  19. Powerball: $314.9 million, Dec. 26, 2002 - West Virgina
  20. Powerball: $314.3 million, Aug. 25, 2007 - Indiana
  21. Powerball: $295.7 million, Jul. 29, 1998 - Indiana
  22. Powerball: $295 million, Aug. 25, 2001 - Delaware, Kentucky, Minnesota, New Hampshire
  23. Mega Millions: $294 million, Jul. 2, 2004 - Massachusetts
  24. Mega Millions: $291 million, Dec. 6, 2013 - Preliminary estimate, not won yet
  25. Powerball: $276.3 million, Mar. 15, 2008 - West Virgina

For those keeping score, the number of jackpots in the top 25, by lottery game, are:

  • Mega Millions: 9
  • Powerball: 14
  • The Big Game: 2

The Big Game is the original name of Mega Millions, from the game's first drawing on Sep. 6, 1996 through May 14, 2002.  The name was changed to Mega Millions starting with the May 17, 2002 drawing.

Top 25 cash value jackpots

Since many lottery winners collect their winnings in cash, the lump-sum payout is an important measure of what a winning ticket could be worth.

Looking at the cash value, the upcoming Mega Millions jackpot ranks as the 24th-largest cash value in U.S. history.

  1. Mega Millions: $471 million cash, Mar. 30, 2012 ($656 million annuity) - Illinois, Kansas, Maryland
  2. Powerball: $384.7 million cash, Nov. 28, 2012 ($587.5 million annuity) - Arizona, Missouri
  3. Powerball: $370.9 million cash, May 18, 2013 ($590.5 million annuity) - Florida
  4. Powerball: $258.2 million cash, Aug. 7, 2013 ($448.4 million annuity) - Minnesota, New Jersey (2)
  5. Mega Millions: $240 million cash, Jan. 4, 2011 ($380 million annuity) - Idaho, Washington
  6. Mega Millions: $233.1 million cash, Mar. 6, 2007 ($390 million annuity) - Georgia, New Jersey
  7. Powerball: $224.7 million cash, Aug. 15, 2012 ($337 million annuity) - Michigan
  8. Powerball: $223.3 million cash, Sep. 18, 2013 ($399.4 million annuity) - South Carolina
  9. Mega Millions: $214 million cash, Aug. 28, 2009 ($336 million annuity) - California, New York
  10. Powerball: $211 million cash, Mar. 23, 2013 ($338.3 million annuity) - New Jersey
  11. Powerball: $210 million cash, Feb. 11, 2012 ($336.4 million annuity) - Rhode Island
  12. Mega Millions: $202.9 million cash, Mar. 25, 2011 ($319 million annuity) - New York
  13. Mega Millions: $194.4. million cash, Aug. 31, 2007 ($330 million annuity) - Maryland, New Jersey, Texas, Virginia
  14. Mega Millions: $185 million cash, Nov. 15, 2005 ($315 million annuity) - California
  15. The Big Game: $180 million cash, May 9, 2000 ($363 million annuity) - Illinois, Michigan
  16. Powerball: $177.3 million cash, Feb. 18, 2006 ($365 million annuity) - Nebraska
  17. Mega Millions: $168 million cash, July 2, 2004 ($294 million annuity) - Massachusetts
  18. Mega Millions: $167.7 million cash, Feb. 22, 2008 ($275 million annuity) - Georgia
  19. Powerball: $166 million cash, Aug. 25, 2001 ($295 million annuity) - Delaware, Kentucky, Minnesota, New Hampshire
  20. Mega Millions: $165.2 million cash, May 4, 2010 ($266 million annuity) - California
  21. Powerball: $164.4 million cash, won Oct. 19, 2005 ($340 million annuity) - Oregon
  22. Mega Millions: $164 million cash, Feb. 28, 2006 ($270 million annuity) - Ohio
  23. Powerball: $161.5 million cash, July 29, 1998 ($295.7 million annuity) - Indiana
  24. Mega Millions: $157.2 million cash, Dec. 6, 2013 ($291 million annuity) - Preliminary estimate, not won yet
  25. Mega Millions: $156.1 million cash, Sept. 16, 2005 ($258 million annuity) - New Jersey

Lottery Post Staff

Comments

helpmewin's avatarhelpmewin

((($291 MILLION))) here we go, Indiana is slacking P***ed

sully16's avatarsully16

I think this one will be number one, Good luck everybody.

mypiemaster's avatarmypiemaster

This jackpot is not growing fast enough. Only a $34M bump for crying out loud.

helpmewin's avatarhelpmewin

Quote: Originally posted by mypiemaster on Dec 4, 2013

This jackpot is not growing fast enough. Only a $34M bump for crying out loud.

if it will help the pot grow i will buy 4 tickets today the best i can do before this ice storm hitsRudolph

Piaceri

I'm on it! See Ya! Trying to get the jackpot for Texas! Woot! Gonna roll my $3 win from last night. Dance

hearsetrax's avatarhearsetrax

Quote: Originally posted by Piaceri on Dec 4, 2013

I'm on it! See Ya! Trying to get the jackpot for Texas! Woot! Gonna roll my $3 win from last night. Dance

Skeptical I think I'm going to wait one more draw b4 playing again ........

but its getting interesting Yes Nod

Jon D's avatarJon D

Quote: Originally posted by mypiemaster on Dec 4, 2013

This jackpot is not growing fast enough. Only a $34M bump for crying out loud.

Yeah, it takes more to get people excited nowadays, with jackpot fatigue setting in.

But looks like it may have finally turned the corner, with higher than expected sales, headed into higher growth phase. People may get their Christmas wish: a billion dollar JP by 12/24 draw! (if it makes it that far)

We are past the distractions of Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Cyber Monday, so it's clear sailing from here on out. Onward and upward!

Santa

golfer1960's avatargolfer1960

Quote: Originally posted by hearsetrax on Dec 4, 2013

Skeptical I think I'm going to wait one more draw b4 playing again ........

but its getting interesting Yes Nod

Yo Trax, I don't think you're sufficiently motivated. $157.2 Million is not enough to get you in the game? Your goal must be to purchase the Empire State Building or something. LOL

 

Empire State Building

dpoly1's avatardpoly1

And,

Here,

We,

GO!

A party in Pennsylvania! I will purchase the best Iced Tea available if I win!

Noel maybe it WILL be Christmas in December LOL

alekk's avataralekk

I had all the six winning numbers on three different tickets!

Sigh..

pickone4me's avatarpickone4me

Haven't seen any big wisconsin wins.  Wonder when that will happen?

haymaker's avatarhaymaker

I see that David Lee Edwards JP is listed @ #22 and @ #19 on the CV list

The winners he split w/are from Delaware, Minnesota and New Hampshire and we never heard how these peeps made out.

Oh and Delaware is anonymous.

 

This JP should move up this list quickly !

DDOH937's avatarDDOH937

Lets Keep This One Going. Very Nice Christmas or New Years Girft Awaits the Lucky One/Ones. 1 BILLION PLUS maybe????

DDOH937's avatarDDOH937

Quote: Originally posted by haymaker on Dec 4, 2013

I see that David Lee Edwards JP is listed @ #22 and @ #19 on the CV list

The winners he split w/are from Delaware, Minnesota and New Hampshire and we never heard how these peeps made out.

Oh and Delaware is anonymous.

 

This JP should move up this list quickly !

I think the media only Highlights the Ones that dont fare that well. Who Knows. Hopefully whoever they are, their winnings have been able to be a blessing to themselves and others.

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