Largest Mega Millions jackpot in more than 2 years
By Todd Northrop
The multi-state Mega Millions lottery game continued its months-long climb Friday night, and is now at the point where jackpot rolls are sharply increased.
After nobody won Friday night's grand prize, the Mega Millions jackpot grew to an estimated $333 million — the 21st-largest in U.S. lottery history and the largest since a $414 million Mega Millions jackpot was split between two tickets from Florida and Maryland on March 18, 2014. (See Florida couple, nearly penniless, claim half of $414M lottery jackpot, Lottery Post, May 1, 2014.)
The lump-sum cash value rose to a massive $226.2 million — the 13th-largest U.S. lottery cash value in history.
The complete top-25 U.S. lottery jackpots and cash value jackpots can be found below.
Tuesday's Mega Millions jackpot is the accumulation of 29 consecutive drawings without a top prize winner. The current jackpot run-up started on March 11 as a $15 million grand prize — it has been more than three months since Mega Millions has had a jackpot winner.
The last big Mega Millions winner was Michael Burkett of Washington state, who claimed a $157 million jackpot in the March 8 Mega Millions drawing. (See Washington Mega Millions winner claims $157 million jackpot, Lottery Post, Mar. 25, 2016.)
Lottery players can see an after-tax analysis of the current Mega Millions jackpot by visiting USA Mega's Jackpot Analysis page.
Players should note that jackpot amounts are conservative estimates provided by the lotteries, and are often somewhat higher by the time the drawing occurs. Occasionally the official jackpot estimate is raised even before the drawing, due to larger-than-expected sales.
In Friday night's Mega Millions drawing, there was no jackpot winner, but 3 lucky players matched the first 5 numbers for a second-prize win: 1 from California, 1 from New Jersey, and 1 from Rhode Island. The California second-prize winner will be awarded $316,712, and the 2 winners from the other states will receive prizes of $1,00,000 each.
The second-prize winner from Rhode Island will come home with a much bigger $5 million prize, because they purchased their ticket with the Megaplier option for an extra $1 per play. So their prize was increased to $5 million, because the Megaplier number drawn was 5.
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.
Another 65 tickets matched four of the first five numbers plus the Mega Ball to win a $5,000 prize. Of those tickets, 3 were purchased with the Megaplier option, increasing the prize to $25,000, and 18 were sold in California, where the prize is worth $2,649 this drawing.
The Mega Millions winning numbers for Friday, June 17, 2016, were 20, 23, 30, 44, and 59, with Mega Ball number 9. The Megaplier number was 5.
Following the Friday drawing, the Mega Millions annuity jackpot estimate was raised $23 million from its previous amount of $310 million. The cash value was raised by $15.1 million, from its previous amount of $211.1 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 $1 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 21st-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
- 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: $448.4 million, Aug. 7, 2013 - Minnesota, New Jersey (2)
- Powerball: $429.6 million, May 7, 2016 - New Jersey
- Powerball: $425.3 million, Feb. 19, 2014 - California
- Mega Millions: $414 million, Mar. 18, 2014 - Florida, Maryland
- 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
- Mega Millions: $333 million, Jun. 21, 2016 - Preliminary estimate, not won yet
- 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: $321 million, Nov. 4, 2014 - New York
- Mega Millions: $319 million, Mar. 25, 2011 - New York
For those keeping score, the number of jackpots in the top 25, by lottery game, are:
- Powerball: 13
- Mega Millions: 10
- 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 13th-largest cash value in U.S. history.
- Powerball: $983.5 million cash, Jan. 13, 2016 ($1.5864 billion annuity) - California, Florida, Tennessee
- 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
- Powerball: $370.9 million cash, May 18, 2013 ($590.5 million annuity) - Florida
- Mega Millions: $347.6 million cash, Dec. 17, 2013 ($636 million annuity) - California, Georgia
- Powerball: $284 million cash, May 7, 2016 ($429.6 million annuity) - New Jersey
- 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
- 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
- Mega Millions: $226.2 million cash, Jun. 21, 2016 ($333 million annuity) - Preliminary estimate, not won yet
- 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: $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: $197.5 million cash, Nov. 4, 2014 ($321 million annuity) - New York
- Powerball: $197.4 million cash, Sep. 30, 2015 ($310.5 million annuity) - Michigan
- Mega Millions: $194.4 million cash, Aug. 31, 2007 ($330 million annuity) - Maryland, New Jersey, Texas, Virginia
- Powerball: $191.9 million cash, Mar. 2, 2016 ($291.4 million annuity) - Florida
- 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
The number of cash value jackpots in the top 25, by lottery game, are:
- Powerball: 13
- Mega Millions: 11
- The Big Game: 1
THREE THREE THREE, what will be will be. Come on now, add some chump change to make it $340 million.
I want it!
I'm in
I think it's time for Todd to win. And then he can post his own story of winning here on LP.
Maybe Todd won the $1 million in NJ last night. (Powerball). He certainly deserves to win big time.
The nerve of some people to rate this story one star. It shows a total lack of respect.
In the article, it states
"The second-prize winner from New Jersey will come home with a much bigger $5 million prize, because they purchased their ticket with the Megaplier option for an extra $1 per play. So their prize was increased to $5 million, because the Megaplier number drawn was 5."
According to http://nylottery.ny.gov/wps/portal/Home/Lottery/home/your+lottery/drawing+results/drawingresultsmega it was the ticket purchased in Rhode Island that played the Megaplier to win $5 mil
Now's a good time for me to win this "LIFE CHANGING" JACKPOT!
"Can't win" is too strong with this one, it'll roll into the billions like Powerball did.
Lump Sum for me. My age, health, plus the low-interest rates on the annuity are factors.
I might be able to invest it and gain more earnings then the annuity would bring.
Inflation is another factor when thinking about the 30-year plan. Better to have one bird in hand than two in the bush.
Have fun everybody since this is entertainment after all.
Yes, Yes, Yes.
Please folks, someone win it this time. Please, stick to your good, lucky, personal numbers.
And then add a few random numbers to play.
I'm guessing that the first Megamillions prize we see on Tuesday,
before the draw, will be 355.
Winner this time? I say yes, more than likely.
My laptop mouse screwed up.
It "forced" me to make a singe star vote on the article, instead of what I wanted to make.
Man I'd hate to be a lottery player in California seeing what their state pays for a 5 of 5 or even 4 of 5 compared to the majority of other participating states.
Yes, I agree 100%. It sucks that they don't have Powerplay or Megaplier. Sometimes I cringe when I see how 'low' the five numbers pay. Occasionally, or should I say rarely, it will pay more than someone who doesn't spend the extra dollar.
At this rate it'll take a long time to get to $1.5 billion like Powerball. I still contend that if Powerball is won this time around, then Mega Millions will take off for the stratrosphere.
Majority? NO, ALL other states pay the same fixed payouts. But atleast they don't have any (state) taxes on the winnings.
Wow: 2 years? During that time a female could have 2 kids back to back and still have some change left.This has been a slow growing jackpot- but l am not complaining. Like bread rising in the oven, a jackpot rising with many "000's" is music to the hearts and ears of the playing horde.When you about to unload your prize- Come to rest in...
Going back to Indiana to play again.
I got my two tickets and I am looking for a $5,000,000 winner out of my tickets since they are QP's.-weshar75
This is getting exciting, good luck players.
.
If they don't pay 1 million for 5/5, then that sure is news to me.
Thanks for the warning.
I'd planned a trip out that way, for later this year.
How do you like that? Is that what paramutual (paramutuel?) means?
That they don't pay as much as other states? Well, it may as well mean that.
Is it too much trouble for someone in their marketing department to advertise:
"We DON'T pay as much as other states for hitting 5 out of 5 numbers" ?
Got mine for tomorrow's drawing. Weeeeeeeeeeee
California constantly wins the jackpot, why should they get even more of everyone else's money?
pickone4me, you and I are playing against each and every other player. May your numbers be drawn soon.
This is entertainment after all. Here is hoping for a win by a LP Member!
333?
If I win I'm going to build a huge house with a swimming pool,tennis court ,a moat , and a cannon. You never know.
Sometimes they pay more, far more even than $1M. Most of the time though they pay far less. I saw one of the drawings it only paid a little over $100,000 for a 5 + 0.
While out today, I bought my lottery tickets for the upcoming draws.
I bought a $5 Mega, 1 NY lotto and a $2 Powerball. I also purchased a 10 game Quick Draw (Keno type game in NY) and hit for $45 in one of the games. After I cahed the ticket, I bought another $5 Mega Millions ticket.
So....I have 10 lines for Tuesday's Mega drawing.
Hoping for the best!
People are always looking for loopholes to the "california always wins" You know exactly what I meant. Go look at the winners page for mega millions and see what state has the most wins.
Oh yes because tiny little Wisconsin totally should have more winners than the state that has over 10% of the US population in it.
It doesn't matter where you live (or happen to visit) and buy the winning ticket.
As with the TN Powerball ticket, he wasn't going to stop and buy tickets. Only because his wife called him did he get them. On top of that, he bought only four quick pick tickets where some people buy 10-20 or 50 or more and win squat.
So, it doesn't matter where you are, who you are or how many tickets you buy. The only thing that matters are how many numbers you match. Period!
after taxes and such more like $111M , i could get by on that LOL
Yep, finally getting into the "real money" you can actually retire on!
Real Money to retire on huh? l'm surprised you didn't say nothing less than a billion dollars is required to set one up for life.
Watch this
20- Barry Sanders
23- Jordan/James
30- S. Curry
44- Hank Aaron
59- Luke Kuechly
-9 Drew Brees
All well known athletes @ football baseball basketball...
Loved your signature, a Will Rogers quote. He leads the way through the Great Depression with his own style of humor.
Thank You for your reply about where, who, and how many tickets you buy. One does need to be eighteen years old or older to play here in the U.S. We do not want an American Callie Rogers who won in the U.K. when she was only 16 years old. Thankfully she survived her experience and is married to a good man.
California should restart a subscription service. They had a subscription service some years ago, but it was abolished.
So because commiefornia has a much larger population it should be entitled to always win!? Wow just wow, I bet you are a democrat voter too. What the hell happened to every ticket has an equal chance of winning? It is basically a minority of large populated states that have an unfair advantage over the MM & PB jackpots.
California State officials back in the 1970's asked, no begged millions of its residents to move to the Great State of Wisconsin to help build up their population but they refused.
How is that California's fault? In a sense- we are being accused of playing the lottery, isn't that the whole purpose of having these games: to play? You want Californians to play, but not win.. what a selfish individual you have turned out to be.
Common Sense 2016
you just don't get it. player A buys 1 ticket in california. player B buys 1 ticket in tenn. both have exactly the same chance of winning. if california has more people buying tickets they (not because they live there) should win more often because collectively more tickets were sold there. eliminate the state borders in your mind. it does not matter where you live.
You can all save your money....I already bought the winning ticket for tonight's MM drawing
I guess I'll "settle" for the $5Million prize
What's up Ben, I found you a dream house with a moat and a pool. Tennis court and cannon sold separately.
I'm not old & decrepit. I could possibly live 50-60 more years, so a chump change $15 mil minimum MM jackpot wouldn't cut it for me.
Nope, the Democrats like Obama and Hillary are center-right corporate puppets. I'm a REAL Leftist.The 10 largest states have over half the population, the 5 people who live in Wisconsin can't compete with the millions of people in New York or Texas or Georgia.
I want something like out of the opening scenes of Game of Thrones.