5th-largest US jackpot of all time
By Todd Northrop
The changes made in October have put the "Mega" back into Mega Millions.
Ever since the United States lotteries tweaked the rules to the multi-state Mega Millions game starting Oct. 22, its jackpot has been on a quick ascendency and has now become the 5th-largest US jackpot of all time.
When no player matched all five numbers plus the Mega Ball Tuesday night, the jackpot estimate for Friday night's Mega Millions drawing was raised to $400 million, with a lump-sum cash option of $216.4 million.
That pegs the annuity jackpot as the 5th-largest United States lottery jackpot of all time, and the cash option as the ninth-largest. (See the full list of top-25 United States annuity and cash lottery jackpots below.)
Lottery players can see an after-tax analysis of the current Mega Millions jackpot by visiting USA Mega's Jackpot Analysis page.
Friday's Mega Millions jackpot is the accumulation of 20 consecutive drawings without a top prize winner. The current jackpot run-up started on October 4 as a $12 million grand prize — it has been more than two months since Mega Millions has had a jackpot winner.
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 5 lucky players matched the first 5 numbers for a $1,000,000 prize: 1 from Connecticut, 1 from Massachusetts, 1 from New Jersey, and 2 from Ohio.
None of the five second-place winners purchased their ticket with the Megaplier option for an extra $1 per play. If they had, their prize would have been doubled 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 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 87 tickets matched four of the first five numbers plus the Mega Ball to win a $5,000 prize. Of those tickets, 11 were sold in California, where the prize awarded this drawing is $5,574.
The Mega Millions winning numbers for Tuesday, December 10, 2013, were 5, 12, 22, 41, and 65, with Mega Ball number 13. The Megaplier number was 2.
Following the Tuesday drawing, the Mega Millions annuity jackpot estimate was raised $56 million from its previous amount of $344 million. The cash value was raised by $32.4 million, from its previous amount of $184 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 5th-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.
- Mega Millions: $656 million, Mar. 30, 2012 - Illinois, Kansas, Maryland
- Powerball: $590.5 million, May 18, 2013 - Florida
- Powerball: $587.5 million, Nov. 28, 2012 - Arizona, Missouri
- Powerball: $448.4 million, Aug. 7, 2013 - Minnesota, New Jersey (2)
- Mega Millions: $400 million, Dec. 13, 2013 - Preliminary estimate, not won yet
- Powerball: $399.4 million, Sep. 18, 2013 - South Carolina
- Mega Millions: $390 million, Mar. 6, 2007 - Georgia, New Jersey
- Mega Millions: $380 million, Jan. 4, 2011 - Idaho, Washington
- Powerball: $365 million, Feb. 18, 2006 - Nebraska
- The Big Game: $363 million, May 9, 2000 - Illinois, Michigan
- Powerball: $340 million, Oct. 19, 2005 - Oregon
- Powerball: $338.3 million, Mar. 23, 2013 - New Jersey
- Powerball: $337 million, Aug. 15, 2012 - Michigan
- Powerball: $336.4 million, Feb. 11, 2012 - Rhode Island
- Mega Millions: $336 million, Aug. 28, 2009 - California, New York
- The Big Game: $331 million, Apr. 16, 2002 - Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey
- Mega Millions: $330 million, Aug. 31, 2007 - Maryland, New Jersey, Texas, Virginia
- Mega Millions: $319 million, Mar. 25, 2011 - New York
- Mega Millions: $315 million, Nov. 15, 2005 - California
- Powerball: $314.9 million, Dec. 25, 2002 - West Virgina
- Powerball: $314.3 million, Aug. 25, 2007 - Indiana
- Powerball: $295.7 million, Jul. 29, 1998 - Indiana
- Powerball: $295 million, Aug. 25, 2001 - Delaware, Kentucky, Minnesota, New Hampshire
- Mega Millions: $294 million, Jul. 2, 2004 - Massachusetts
- 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 9th-largest cash value in U.S. history.
- 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: $370.9 million cash, May 18, 2013 ($590.5 million annuity) - Florida
- Powerball: $258.2 million cash, Aug. 7, 2013 ($448.4 million annuity) - Minnesota, New Jersey (2)
- 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
- Powerball: $224.7 million cash, Aug. 15, 2012 ($337 million annuity) - Michigan
- Powerball: $223.3 million cash, Sep. 18, 2013 ($399.4 million annuity) - South Carolina
- Mega Millions: $216.4 million cash, Dec. 13, 2013 ($400 million annuity) - Preliminary estimate, not won yet
- Mega Millions: $214 million cash, Aug. 28, 2009 ($336 million annuity) - California, New York
- Powerball: $211 million cash, Mar. 23, 2013 ($338.3 million annuity) - New Jersey
- Powerball: $210 million cash, Feb. 11, 2012 ($336.4 million annuity) - Rhode Island
- Mega Millions: $202.9 million cash, Mar. 25, 2011 ($319 million annuity) - New York
- Mega Millions: $194.4. million cash, Aug. 31, 2007 ($330 million annuity) - Maryland, New Jersey, Texas, Virginia
- Mega Millions: $185 million cash, Nov. 15, 2005 ($315 million annuity) - California
- The Big Game: $180 million cash, May 9, 2000 ($363 million annuity) - Illinois, Michigan
- Powerball: $177.3 million cash, Feb. 18, 2006 ($365 million annuity) - Nebraska
- Powerball: $170.5 million cash, Dec. 25, 2002 ($314.9 million annuity) - West Virginia
- Mega Millions: $168 million cash, July 2, 2004 ($294 million annuity) - Massachusetts
- Mega Millions: $167.7 million cash, Feb. 22, 2008 ($275 million annuity) - Georgia
- Powerball: $166 million cash, Aug. 25, 2001 ($295 million annuity) - Delaware, Kentucky, Minnesota, New Hampshire
- Mega Millions: $165.2 million cash, May 4, 2010 ($266 million annuity) - California
- Powerball: $164.4 million cash, won Oct. 19, 2005 ($340 million annuity) - Oregon
- Mega Millions: $164 million cash, Feb. 28, 2006 ($270 million annuity) - Ohio
- Powerball: $161.5 million cash, July 29, 1998 ($295.7 million annuity) - Indiana
Pretty cool! Good luck everyone.
Todd- the cash value of the $314.9 million Powerball jackpot won on December 25, 2002 is $170,505,876 and should be on the top 25 cash value list at #18.
Come on 2nd place players Megaplier! Megaplier! Megaplier!
Who would choose these numbers? Look at that 65 coming out of nowhere lol
5, 12, 22, 41, 65, Mega Ball 13
Quick Pick, those look like Quick Pick numbers.
Trust me Nikkicute, I'm with you. I just don't get it. You HAVE to get the multiplier...especially with these astronomical odds. WHAT ARE THEY THINKING??????
Congrats to them though. I'm sure they're smiling non-the-less!! Get it together people: MULTIPIER, MULTIPLIER, MULTIPLIER!!!!
HAHHAHAHAHHAHA!!! Good one! I know right, of all the numbers in the pack, darn 65....hahaha. You know what i was thinking this morning and it might seem strange, i really like these incredibly long odds. It kinda feels like whoever wins, truly and really got lucky and in some perverse way these long odds makes it feel like an even playing field. I know, i know, crazy thinking but...
Thanks for pointing that out.
This will be the first US Lottery to climb to 1 Billion Dollars
*************$1,OOO,OOO,OOO*************
Yes Sir!!! INDEED!!!! Looking Forward to the exhilarating rush and shock i'll feel after seeing my six numbers on Dec 27!!!! Yeeeaahhhh!!! Can't wait!!
This would be a great Jackpot for Pennsylvania's 1st big win in Mega Millions!
Good luck to all LP members!
I'll bet the Mega Millions folks are patting themselves on the back at the success of this inaugural run of the new MM matrix, and hoping for another rollover, which is still likely.
Powerball had begun to dominate the top 10 recently, and with this one run MM is turning that around and starting to take it back.
The news people usually start talking about JPs when they get over $300M, but whether due to jackpot fatigue, seasonal issues, or other distractions like the Mandela story, I haven't seen much of anything yet. This $400M JP should get the talking heads talking again, to whip sales into a frenzy.
I am with you both as well. I always get the megapleir now and this last drawing my two quick picks I had 13 as the megaball for both sets LOL so at least it paid for my next 2 tickets for Fri.
You're good Nikki. They are definitely QP #s.
Megaplier makes sense if you only play a few picks a draw, but if you get 10 picks a draw that would be a little pricey. I play to win the jackpot but if I happen to get runner up, I'm OK with that too....lol
Let's keep rolling!
I agree with you! I don't purchase the multiplier either if I did I would have to cut down on the tickets I purchase. I will have no regrets if I win the second place and take home a million.
Oh yeah, it's getting warm. Keep rolling baby.
Yeah, cash option is the way to go. Wasn't aware of the new MM annuity option rules. Not worth it. Thought it was equal payments still.
Difference Between Cash Value and Annuity
If you win a Mega Millions jackpot, you will choose how to be paid: Cash Option or Annual Payout. Prize claim parameters vary from state to state. Contact your Mega Millions lottery for detailed information.
Annuity option: The Mega Millions annuity is paid out as one immediate payment followed by 29 annual payments. Each payment is 5% bigger than the previous one. We used to pay the jackpot in equal installments, but players expressed concern that the cost of living would be increasing while their payments were not. We changed to payments that increase each year to help protect winners’ lifestyle and purchasing power.
For a typical jackpot of $50 million, the initial payment would be more than $750,000, and future annual payments would grow to almost $3.1 million.
When the jackpot is $100 million, each payment is twice as big. When the jackpot is $25 million, each payment is half as big, etc.
Cash option: A one-time, lump-sum payment that is equal to the cash in the Mega Millions jackpot prize pool.
This is going to be exciting, hopefully there is more than one winner. Spread the Good fortune, why should there be only one winner sitting on this pot of gold like...Smaug?...*The Hobbit.
$400M!!! Hmm...Sweet Dreams!
You're welcome.
Hey Golfer- I was hoping you had won the 2nd place prize in NJ.
Three QP w/megaplier. Six bucks, all I'm spending chasing this fool's errand.
This has become a game of which can outdo/out-promote the other for media attention...MM or PB. Would rather see old MM odds and more winners with, yes, lesser jackpots.
Now that the media frenzy will start the jackpot and the number of players will increase substantially and I expect a winner in the next two draws. Most likely this next one.
I know people who didn't even know about the 344m jackpot. Now that the local and national media will be hyping it by Friday I think the jackpot will be 450m by the drawing.
Woo Hoo $400 million
Good luck everyone!
Hoping for a singlewinnersinglewinnersinglewinner!
From TEXAS!!!!!
I am actually not becoming a fan of MM....I am for a larger number of people winning rather than have a huge sum go to one person...Love the idea of spreading the love...They should have increased the odds of winning the JP rather than decrease it.
$400 million would be an awesome Christmas present and start the new year in grand style. Personally, I like to see one winner because it's just more exciting, and I hope the winner is me!
Does anyone know how much per ticket sold goes into the jackpot? I am trying to figure out how much the jackpot needs to rise for all possible combonations to be covered.
huh what? they could be someone's ages. eg: 65 yr old woman, her 41 yr old daughter, and the 3 or 4 other numbers could be the grandchilds ages. not that out of whack.
32.577%
Hi Jill Honey, I just got back from checking my MM ticket at 7-11 (I had 5 draws on it) and when I stuck it under the scanner it said "Sorry no Winnner". I picked up another QP ticket with 5 draws and two lines for $10.00.
If I ever do win I'm coming down your way to go to DisneyWorld.
Are you still in CO or are you back in sunny Florida?
Blessings and great fortune to everyone. This kind of money will help 4 generations removed of my family, many needed and less fortunate people, my church, and the neighborhood I grew up in.
This is going to be interesting as to how far it will climb and rise to befrore a winner.
I also wonder if there will be a cap limit on it? 
Anyways, I hope we all have a win of some sort, if not the big one, c'mon! 
$400M+
To cover all possible combinations, the number of tickets sold would have to be around 3.16 billion (assuming nobody buys all of them manually), so the cash jackpot would rise by ~$1.03 billion. Of course, there would be lots of duplicates. In that case there would be less than 1% chance of a single winner and 99% chance of 5 winners or more.
If they cap it it would defeat the entire point of changing the odds just to have bigger JPs. They wanted larger JPs more often to take back some of the attention from PB. They may go back to the old odds if it gets too insane but capping would be shooting themselves in the foot.
Noise-gate NOOOO!!!!!!!
One winner!
What's the point of it rolling over so many times only to have a bunch of people win. Then the JP might as well stay small and have them win every week. When we wait for this long, one person should get unbelievably lucky. It would suck to see 20 people win and get $20m each.
Long time ago i read it was 50 cents per dollar for state lottos. Not sure about pb/mm.
Indiana is overdue for a BIG WINNER Good Luck
As LottoMeto points out, duplicate tickets make it far less simple than that. Selling 1/3 of the combinations can be done without selling far more than 86.33 million tickets (259/3).
As you sell more and more combinations, the chances of selling additional duplicates goes up. Here's a simplified explanation. If it was all random, once 10% of combinations had been sold we'de expect that 10 of the next 100 tickets would duplicate combinations that had already been sold. Once 20% have been sold it becomes 20 of the next 100, and so on. If they manage to sell 90% of the combinations there will still be about 25.9 million that haven't been sold, and they'll need to sell 10 tickets to sell just one more combination. That means selling another 25.9 million tickets would only cover 2.59 million new combinations.
At the extreme, if all but 1 combination had been sold the chance of selling the last remaining combination is only 1 in 259 million for each new ticket sold. Even selling 10 billion tickets doesn't guaranee that there will be a winner, though the odds of a rollover start getting to be similar to the chances of any individual ticket winning.
With the new, horrible odds in the Mega Millions lottery, I wouldn't be surprised it rolls and rolls to a billion or more. It makes one Hell of a Payday!!!!!
Make it RAIN!!!!!
Spread the Good fortune
Well, isn't that precious.