Half-billion dollar jackpot is 11th-largest in US lottery history
By Todd Northrop
What better way to chill out a scorching summer than with a cool mountain of cash?
After 22 drawings without a jackpot winner, the multi-state Mega Millions lottery game now boasts a swelling jackpot of nearly a half-billion dollars that could instantly put someone among the wealthiest people on the planet.
When nobody won Friday night's grand prize, the Mega Millions jackpot grew to an estimated $493 million — the largest since a $533 million Mega Millions jackpot from the March 30 drawing was claimed by a New Jersey man. (See NJ man claims $533 million Mega Millions lottery jackpot, Lottery Post, Apr. 13, 2018.)
The next Mega Millions drawing is on Tuesday night at 11:00 pm Eastern Time (8:00 pm Pacific).
Tuesday's $493 million Mega Millions jackpot is the 5th-largest in the game's history, and the 11th-largest United States lottery jackpot of all time (see full list below).
The lump-sum cash value of $296 million is the 12th-largest on the all-time US lottery jackpot cash value list.
The current jackpot run-up started on May 8 as a $40 million grand prize — it has been more than 2 months since Mega Millions has had a jackpot winner.
Lottery players wondering what all the cash will look like in their bank account after federal and state taxes are taken out can see an after-tax analysis of the current Mega Millions jackpot by visiting USA Mega's Jackpot Analysis page.
The rush of ticket sales over the next few days likely will propel the jackpot to an even higher amount before the drawing takes place Tuesday. Lottery Post and USA Mega will update the jackpot tallies displayed if such an increase occurs.
In Friday night's Mega Millions drawing, there was no jackpot winner, but 2 lucky players matched the first 5 numbers for a $1,000,000 prize: 1 from Illinois and 1 from Pennsylvania.
Unfortunately, neither of the second-prize winners purchased their ticket with the Megaplier option for an extra $1 per play. If they had, their prize would have been increased to $2 million, because the Megaplier number drawn was 2.
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 lottery 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.
Also, a total of 47 tickets matched four of the first five numbers plus the Mega Ball to win a $10,000 prize. Of those tickets, 5 were purchased with the Megaplier option, increasing the prize to $20,000, and 7 were sold in California, where the prize awarded this drawing is $10,206.
The Mega Millions winning numbers for Friday, July 20, 2018, were 1, 14, 30, 44, and 62, with Mega Ball number 1. The Megaplier number was 2.
Following the Friday drawing, the Mega Millions annuity jackpot estimate was raised $60 million from its previous amount of $433 million. The cash value was raised by $36 million from its previous amount of $260 million.
Mega Millions is currently offered for sale in 44 states, plus Washington, D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Drawings are Tuesdays and Fridays at 11:00 pm Eastern Time. Tickets cost $2 each.
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
Tuesday's Mega Millions jackpot currently stands as the 11th-largest lottery jackpot of all time in the United States. That position may rise before the drawing, as lotteries are typically conservative in their initial estimates, and brisk sales may push the jackpot estimate higher by draw time.
- Powerball: $1.5864 billion, Jan. 13, 2016 - California, Florida, Tennessee
- Powerball: $758.7 million, Aug. 23, 2017 - Massachusetts
- Mega Millions: $656 million, Mar. 30, 2012 - Illinois, Kansas, Maryland
- Mega Millions: $636 million, Dec. 17, 2013 - California, Georgia
- Powerball: $590.5 million, May 18, 2013 - Florida
- Powerball: $587.5 million, Nov. 28, 2012 - Arizona, Missouri
- Powerball: $564.1 million, Feb. 11, 2015 - North Carolina, Puerto Rico, Texas
- Powerball: $559.7 million, Jan. 6, 2018 - New Hampshire
- Mega Millions: $536 million, Jul. 8, 2016 - Indiana
- Mega Millions: $533 million, Mar. 30, 2018 - New Jersey
- Mega Millions: $493 million, Jul. 24, 2018 - Preliminary estimate, not won yet
- Powerball: $487 million, Jul. 30, 2016 - New Hampshire
- Powerball: $456.7 million, Mar. 17, 2018 - Pennsylvania
- Mega Millions: $451 million, Jan. 5, 2018 - Florida
- Powerball: $448.4 million, Aug. 7, 2013 - Minnesota, New Jersey (2)
- Powerball: $447.8 million, Jun. 10, 2017 - California
- Powerball: $435.3 million, Feb. 22, 2017 - Indiana
- Powerball: $429.6 million, May 7, 2016 - New Jersey
- Powerball: $425.3 million, Feb. 19, 2014 - California
- Powerball: $420.9 million, Nov. 26, 2016 - Tennessee
- Mega Millions: $414 million, Mar. 18, 2014 - Florida, Maryland
- Powerball: $399.4 million, Sep. 18, 2013 - South Carolina
- Mega Millions: $393 million, Aug. 11, 2017 - Illinois
- Mega Millions: $390 million, Mar. 6, 2007 - Georgia, New Jersey
- Mega Millions: $380 million, Jan. 4, 2011 - Idaho, Washington
For those keeping score, the number of jackpots in the top 25, by lottery game, are:
- Powerball: 15
- Mega Millions: 10
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 12th-largest cash value in U.S. history.
- Powerball: $983.5 million cash, Jan. 13, 2016 ($1.5864 billion annuity) - California, Florida, Tennessee
- Powerball: $480.5 million cash, Aug. 23, 2017 ($758.7 million annuity) - Massachusetts
- Mega Millions: $471 million cash, Mar. 30, 2012 ($656 million annuity) - Illinois, Kansas, Maryland
- Powerball: $384.7 million cash, Nov. 28, 2012 ($587.5 million annuity) - Arizona, Missouri
- Powerball: $381.1 million cash, Feb. 11, 2015 ($564.1 million annuity) - North Carolina, Puerto Rico, Texas
- Mega Millions: $378 million cash, Jul. 8, 2016 ($536 million annuity) - Indiana
- Powerball: $370.9 million cash, May 18, 2013 ($590.5 million annuity) - Florida
- Powerball: $352 million cash, Jan. 6, 2018 ($559.7 million annuity) - New Hampshire
- Mega Millions: $347.6 million cash, Dec. 17, 2013 ($636 million annuity) - California, Georgia
- Powerball: $336.8 million cash, Jul. 30, 2016 ($487 million annuity) - New Hampshire
- Mega Millions: $324 million cash, Mar. 30, 2018 ($533 million annuity) - New Jersey
- Mega Millions: $296 million cash, Jul. 24, 2018 ($493 million annuity) - Preliminary estimate, not won yet
- Powerball: $284 million cash, May 7, 2016 ($429.6 million annuity) - New Jersey
- Mega Millions: $281.9 million cash, Jan. 5, 2018 ($451 million annuity) - Florida
- Powerball: $279.1 million cash, Jun. 10, 2017 ($447.8 million annuity) - California
- Powerball: $273.9 million cash, Mar. 17, 2018 ($456.7 million annuity) - Pennsylvania
- Powerball: $263.5 million cash, Feb. 22, 2017 ($435.3 million annuity) - Indiana
- Powerball: $258.2 million cash, Aug. 7, 2013 ($448.4 million annuity) - Minnesota, New Jersey (2)
- Powerball: $254.7 million cash, Nov. 26, 2016 ($420.9 million annuity) - Tennessee
- Mega Millions: $246.5 million cash, Aug. 11, 2017 ($393 million annuity) - Illinois
- Mega Millions: $240 million cash, Jan. 4, 2011 ($380 million annuity) - Idaho, Washington
- Mega Millions: $233.1 million cash, Mar. 6, 2007 ($390 million annuity) - Georgia, New Jersey
- Mega Millions: $230.9 million cash, Mar. 18, 2014 ($414 million annuity) - Florida, Maryland
- Powerball: $227.8 million cash, Feb. 19, 2014 ($425.3 million annuity) - California
- Powerball: $224.7 million cash, Aug. 15, 2012 ($337 million annuity) - Michigan
The number of cash value jackpots in the top 25, by lottery game, are:
- Powerball: 15
- Mega Millions: 10
Is that correct 22 draws?
How much does anyone want to bet the next lottery winner is in NJ, PA, DE, or midwest?
It will border $500 by Tues afternoon and sales will go through the roof.
You posted a couple of days ago it would not roll over $500 Million and would be won.
$296 Million Cash minus the Swamps cut of 37%.............$186 Million and change..........Yeah,,,,I can live with that.
Lol and that two people would split the jackpot.
Lol Original Bey it is easy to be psychic. Just post constantly changing facts and scenarios. You can also say you had the winning jp numbers but posted the wrong ones by accident in the challenges. Also constantly make vague claims about "seeing something." Lol
Come on Mega Millions I am counting on you to set a new record for Mega Millions. The old one was set on March 30, 2012. $656 million. We can do it!
It is too bad that Puerto Ricans do not play MM. But right now they have more important things on their minds like survival and recovering from a Hurricane.
I am sure that the media will be talking about this jackpot. The more players the merrier we are.
Who would you tell first when you match all the numbers Tuesday night? Your Mom? Spouse? Psychiatrist? a Divorce lawyer?
oh that is easy.....my German Shepherd... He would look at me with the head tilt to the left and then to the right wondering if he was getting a treat or going for a ride. If I told the Mrs (AKA the War Dept.) she would instantly become the Mayor of Nutbagville
I forgot to add, My Boss.
I am sure that you must have plans for your German Shephard like better food, dog house, etc.
Your Mrs. will love you forever.
I would tell my 100yr old grandmother. She still play the lottery.
Looks like we've reached Record Setting Territory once again!
I knew it would roll once I seen 1 as the leading number, and 1 as the Mega Ball for July 20th drawing. I'm sitting out for Tuesday's draw. I hope it rolls.
EnReval, How sweet of you to think of your grandmother first. Cherish her as some here no longer have grandmothers. They may be grandmothers themselves.
Good Luck to you!
What better way to chill out a scorching summer? I will settle for this picture.
Replace Walter & Skylar White with me & the Mrs looking at that pile of money- in any storage locker.
* How about them dream apples?
CDanaT,
Hilarious!
I remember a di8scussion where one guy thought he had all the answers and somebody told him to explain money to a dog.
Ill try to sit out with you
Oh, I would definitely tell my husband first. I would like to think I would be calm, cool, and collected, and say “Dear, maybe you should call off work tomorrow.” In reality he might not be understand what I am trying to say through all the screaming and jumping up and down.
I have already purchased my tickets tickets and I am ready to rumble. Good luck!
Lucy
FBI anti-terrorist unit, trust me on this one.
Al Qaeda / Taliban / ISIS ( or whatever they'll call themselves next) has threatened jackpot winners in the past.
.
Todd,
Thank you for all the updates you consistently give us.
I'm trying to get my head around just $1 million, as that's what I always hope for, and always have the chance for,
in any drawing.
Only the tax is guaranteed, which would 'knock me down' to what? . . . around $625,000 or so?
Anyway, here we are again, waiting for the climb to some kind of prize, on Tuesday evening.
Mr. Groppo
I was up early today and I got my tickets first thing this morning$
LOL.
He's covering all his options!
Groppo, You remind me of John and Lisa Robinson from Munford, TN All they wanted was a little piece of the pie. Just $1 million to help pay off their daughter's school loans. They won one-third of the record jackpot worth $1.5 billion. Be careful of what you wish for!
But has anything ever happened from said barbarians. People claim to be all kinds of things these days. I guess I’m still from the days when you claim to be what you are. I would probably tell my family as well as a lawyer or ‘attorney’. Money means nothing to me to be totally honest. Die broke is the way to go. $500 mil I might have to live a long time. Lol
I’d also buy and support a lot of art and artwork from poor artists who deserve better. Art lasts forever. You could bet on that.
Todd et al, thanks again for posting the top 25.
Just went to the store after the movies and thought I was being slick Rick and played Powerball. My feelings were correct; it ended up being too late and it ended up being for Wednesday. Bought 3 more MM/MP tickets as well as my on-line funds are zilch, nada, nichts right now...QP the way to go???
I decided to travel to a smaller town here in Oregon because Mcminnville has a population of 100,000 or more so I went about 25 minutes from here to Sheridan,Oregon and bought a $3 mega millions ticket and that has the megaplier on it for $3. So if I win a nice prize they will say Sheridan, Oregon and not were I live.-weshar75
Soledad,
Yeah, it could have been shake down artists posing as terrorists but it's still scary.
Either way, terrorists or posers, I'm sure those who run the lotteries would grease whatever palms do whatever they had to to keep the press from reporting it.
Wow great point. I hadnt even thought about that one.
Boy you are so smart
New to here and hello to everyone.
Dploy1... That is what I would have done if I was in the US... Last time I played I bought a 20 draws ticket which has gone about 2 weeks ago. Now my next trip to US maybe in December. So I am missing such a wonderful opportunity. Still trying to reach a buddy who could potentially buy me a ticket (25 draws and mail to me).
Good lucky to all of you; and if you are in the US; don't miss the opportunity (those online guys are all scamers!)
Well there are of course scammers online, but those often try to contact you and scam. If you search this site you will find true stories that at least one company that buy pb and mm tickets for you are trustworty. Both a iraqi man and a woman from panama have won big using this company as butler service. I use a smaller one in florida myself.
Thank you so much. A relief to know we can trust some of these services! Good lucky for you bigbuckswede.
I trust that they be more people here like us
New York is not in the top 25. An outrage!
OK, so what numbers are we all feeling? I'm thinking the mega ball will be in the 20's.
omg. that is neat. she is 100. GOD BLESS ur beautiful loving blessed grandmother, sincerely.
Mine lived a long time, but not 100. she was 88. #ripnana
she could've made it to 90s or 100 easy, doctor told us smh
but dr. left her sittin' in hospital knowing she had a block artery overnight rather than to
simply operate, as my grandmother on dad side in california had, and he is still kickin doing great!(but has dementia)
but is still enjoying LIFE, a strong heart too. (mid upper 80s)was lil younger, than Nana, but her dr., had definitely
committed malpractice, as she is rip too soon, years now, and we made sure this did not happen to pop-pop here in NC,
but again gold bles your grandmother.
Good luck to all playin' the 1/2 of billion dollar mega. i might. might not. i usually do IF real high over 100mill, so i feasibly will.
.
Lottofan21, for Tuesday nght's drawing:
I'm guessing the mega ball number will be lower, in the single digit group (like 1 to 9).
Anyway, good luck to all of us, here, on the Lottery Post.
Mr. Groppo
“Can’t win” is EXTREMELY strong with this one!
I predict it rolls till we see a $6 billion jackpot.
I just hope somebody, anybody, a bunch of some bodies anywhere win Tuesday night as the insanity ^ has already started.
Pretty rich when the same person telling us it's too easy to win sees it rolling to $6B.
jjtheprince14 I think you're just being facetious! If the jackpot ever got that high all possible combinations would be sold.
Not so sure he's being facetious Bleudog101.
No matter where it's wo0n jj tells us "It's always.........." and then says it's too easy to win.
From your lips to God's ears, jj.
I want to see the heads of people here explode.
BOOM!
Not yet Raven, this is only the 5th largest Mega Millions Lottery Jackpot of all time!!!!!!
Good luck Dpoly!!!
By being overseas I am trying my lucky twice; in the "butler" service and in the game. Feeling of hoping and running is awesome.
Wish you guys good lucky; and someone always win!
How do you know that? Crystal ball alert
Try?
The winner of this jackpot will be coming from this State.
l know l may seem biased, but what can l say.
I don't know about $6 billion, but unless the sales increase tremendously for the next drawing, it might take a couple more drawings. With that being said, I'm still getting a couple tickets.
I'm hoping for someplace like Bottineau, North Dakota, just to see jj complain that 'it's always North Dakota".
If you watch game shows, have you ever seen a contestant from North Dakota? Or Delaware?
Something to think about.
Noise-gate, Thank You for letting LP members in on my secret. The City of Fresno, The big valley in California will host this winner. What kind of reward do you want now?
I have done the math for taking the Annuity. There is only a $100 million dollar difference between the Lump Sum and the final Annuity result.
Lump sum = $186,480,000.00 Annuity Total = $290,000,000.00
Inflation and higher taxes in the future will eat up this $100 million difference over 30 years.
Invest this Lump sum and earn the difference over time. Of course, most winners will go through this jackpot. Because of the higher standard of living, gifting, and donations, you name it.
We can hope for the best outcome for this winner but past history tells us a harsher outcome.
I enjoy working with these larger numbers. We can all dream!
Win Will We!
It will never hit $6 billion dollars. Not at all. $1.6 was crazy a couple of years ago and ridiculous.
Thank you.
Wow that was fast...... I was thinking tomorrow morning
That's a nice bump of $19 mil ($7 mil cash), but it isn't over yet and will go higher before the drawing on Tuesday!
I think it will go to about $550 mil ($330 mil cash) by Tuesday night.
I am hoping for another bump at noon tomorrow. They key was to get it in the 1/2 billion range. The frenzy will begin. Imagine if it rolls over after tomorrow's drawing.
Absolutely !!!... I hope it rolls(should I for some foolish reason not win) ...$610-620 Range ???