$478 MILLION: Powerball jackpot surges into top 10

Jul 28, 2016, 9:20 am (98 comments)

Powerball

8th-largest US jackpot ever

By Todd Northrop

July has shaped up to be a sizzling hot month for lottery jackpot chasers, first with Mega Millions, and now with Powerball, each offering up a grand prizes of around a half-billion dollars.

Between now and Saturday evening, anyone can walk into a store and buy a lottery ticket for a couple of bucks that has the potential of winning $478 million — which may quite possibly be much higher by the time the Powerball drawing kicks off Saturday night.

That's because lotteries typically are very conservative in their initial jackpot estimates, like we saw with Wednesday's Powerball drawing. The initial estimate Sunday morning was $422 million, but by the time all the proceeds were counted before the drawing Wednesday night, the jackpot had swelled to $434.8 million.

Seasoned lottery players keep an eye on the lump-sum cash value of the jackpot, and the initial estimate is just as eye-popping: $330.6 million. And likely to grow even bigger before Saturday.

When compared against all lottery drawings conducted in United States lottery history, Saturday's Powerball jackpot ranks 8th all-time, and the cash value also ranks as number 8 among all cash values in history. (See the top 25 United States annuity and cash value jackpots below.)

Of course, the big winner (or winners) will have to pay taxes on their prize, so USA Mega has a handy Jackpot Analysis page available to calculate the federal and state taxes that would be withheld upon the award of your nice big jackpot.

This is the largest Powerball jackpot since — well, since the largest Powerball jackpot of all time was awarded in the January 13, 2016, drawing. Three winning tickets from California, Florida, and Tennessee split a world-record $1.6 billion grand prize.

Saturday's mammoth jackpot is the result of 23 consecutive draws without a winner.  The run-up started as a $40 million prize on May 11.

The winning numbers for Wednesday, July 27, 2016 were 10, 47, 50, 65, and 68, with Powerball number 24.  The Power Play number was 2.

Even though nobody won the jackpot Wednesday, 4 lucky players matched the first 5 numbers for a $1,000,000 prize: 1 from Florida, 1 from Ohio, 1 from Pennsylvania, and 1 from Virginia.

Only one of the second-prize winners purchased the Power Play option — the ticket sold in Florida.  Because that ticket was purchased with the Power Play option their second-prize win is automatically doubled to $2 million.  Power Play is not available in California, because the fixed nature of the prize increase offered in Power Play 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.

54 tickets matched four white numbers plus the Powerball and won $50,000.  Of those tickets, 7 were purchased with the Power Play option, increasing the prize to $100,000, and 7 of the tickets were sold in California, where the prize was worth $19,186 this drawing.

Following the Wednesday drawing, the Powerball annuity jackpot estimate was raised $43.2 million from its previous amount of $434.8 million and the cash value was raised by $30.8 million from its previous amount of $299.8 million.

The next Powerball drawing will take place Saturday night at 10:59 pm Eastern Time.

When a Powerball ticket is purchased with the Power Play option for an extra $1 per ticket, any non-jackpot prize is increased according to a fixed prize schedule, which can be found on the Powerball Drawing Detail page at USA Mega, as well as on the Powerball Prize Payouts page at Lottery Post.

Powerball is played in 44 states, plus the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands.  Drawings are Wednesdays and Saturdays at 10:59 p.m. Eastern Time.  Tickets cost $2 each.

Powerball lottery results are published within minutes of the drawing at USA Mega (www.usamega.com).  The USA Mega Web site provides lottery players in-depth information about the United States's two biggest multi-state lottery games, Mega Millions and Powerball.

Top 25 United States lottery jackpots of all time

Saturday's Powerball jackpot currently stands as the 8th-largest lottery jackpot of all time in the United States, and the 5th-largest Powerball jackpot ever.  Brisk sales will almost certainly push the jackpot estimate higher by draw time.

  1. Powerball: $1.5864 billion, Jan. 13, 2016 - California, Florida, Tennessee
  2. Mega Millions: $656 million, Mar. 30, 2012 - Illinois, Kansas, Maryland
  3. Mega Millions: $636 million, Dec. 17, 2013 - California, Georgia
  4. Powerball: $590.5 million, May 18, 2013 - Florida
  5. Powerball: $587.5 million, Nov. 28, 2012 - Arizona, Missouri
  6. Powerball: $564.1 million, Feb. 11, 2015 - North Carolina, Puerto Rico, Texas
  7. Mega Millions: $540 million, Jul. 8, 2016 - Indiana
  8. Powerball: $478 million, Jul. 30, 2016 - Preliminary estimate, not won yet
  9. Powerball: $448.4 million, Aug. 7, 2013 - Minnesota, New Jersey (2)
  10. Powerball: $429.6 million, May 7, 2016 - New Jersey
  11. Powerball: $425.3 million, Feb. 19, 2014 - California
  12. Mega Millions: $414 million, Mar. 18, 2014 - Florida, Maryland
  13. Powerball: $399.4 million, Sep. 18, 2013 - South Carolina
  14. Mega Millions: $390 million, Mar. 6, 2007 - Georgia, New Jersey
  15. Mega Millions: $380 million, Jan. 4, 2011 - Idaho, Washington
  16. Powerball: $365 million, Feb. 18, 2006 - Nebraska
  17. The Big Game: $363 million, May 9, 2000 - Illinois, Michigan
  18. Powerball: $340 million, Oct. 19, 2005 - Oregon
  19. Powerball: $338.3 million, Mar. 23, 2013 - New Jersey
  20. Powerball: $337 million, Aug. 15, 2012 - Michigan
  21. Powerball: $336.4 million, Feb. 11, 2012 - Rhode Island
  22. Mega Millions: $336 million, Aug. 28, 2009 - California, New York
  23. The Big Game: $331 million, Apr. 16, 2002 - Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey
  24. Mega Millions: $330 million, Aug. 31, 2007 - Maryland, New Jersey, Texas, Virginia
  25. Mega Millions: $321 million, Nov. 4, 2014 - New York

The number of jackpots in the top 25, by lottery game, are:

  • Powerball: 14
  • Mega Millions: 9
  • 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 Powerball jackpot ranks as the 8th-largest cash value in U.S. history.

  1. Powerball: $983.5 million cash, Jan. 13, 2016 ($1.5864 billion annuity) - California, Florida, Tennessee
  2. Mega Millions: $471 million cash, Mar. 30, 2012 ($656 million annuity) - Illinois, Kansas, Maryland
  3. Powerball: $384.7 million cash, Nov. 28, 2012 ($587.5 million annuity) - Arizona, Missouri
  4. Powerball: $381.1 million cash, Feb. 11, 2015 ($564.1 million annuity) - North Carolina, Puerto Rico, Texas
  5. Mega Millions: $380.8 million cash, Jul. 8, 2016 ($540 million annuity) - Indiana
  6. Powerball: $370.9 million cash, May 18, 2013 ($590.5 million annuity) - Florida
  7. Mega Millions: $347.6 million cash, Dec. 17, 2013 ($636 million annuity) - California, Georgia
  8. Powerball: $330.6 million cash, Jul. 30, 2016 ($478 million annuity) - Preliminary estimate, not won yet
  9. Powerball: $284 million cash, May 7, 2016 ($429.6 million annuity) - New Jersey
  10. Powerball: $258.2 million cash, Aug. 7, 2013 ($448.4 million annuity) - Minnesota, New Jersey (2)
  11. Mega Millions: $240 million cash, Jan. 4, 2011 ($380 million annuity) - Idaho, Washington
  12. Mega Millions: $233.1 million cash, Mar. 6, 2007 ($390 million annuity) - Georgia, New Jersey
  13. Mega Millions: $230.9 million cash, Mar. 18, 2014 ($414 million annuity) - Florida, Maryland
  14. Powerball: $227.8 million cash, Feb. 19, 2014 ($425.3 million annuity) - California
  15. Powerball: $224.7 million cash, Aug. 15, 2012 ($337 million annuity) - Michigan
  16. Powerball: $223.3 million cash, Sep. 18, 2013 ($399.4 million annuity) - South Carolina
  17. Mega Millions: $214 million cash, Aug. 28, 2009 ($336 million annuity) - California, New York
  18. Powerball: $211 million cash, Mar. 23, 2013 ($338.3 million annuity) - New Jersey
  19. Powerball: $210 million cash, Feb. 11, 2012 ($336.4 million annuity) - Rhode Island
  20. Mega Millions: $202.9 million cash, Mar. 25, 2011 ($319 million annuity) - New York
  21. Mega Millions: $197.5 million cash, Nov. 4, 2014 ($321 million annuity) - New York
  22. Powerball: $197.4 million cash, Sep. 30, 2015 ($310.5 million annuity) - Michigan
  23. Mega Millions: $194.4 million cash, Aug. 31, 2007 ($330 million annuity) - Maryland, New Jersey, Texas, Virginia
  24. Powerball: $191.9 million cash, Mar. 2, 2016 ($291.4 million annuity) - Florida
  25. Mega Millions: $185 million cash, Nov. 15, 2005 ($315 million annuity) - California

The number of jackpot cash values in the top 25, by lottery game, are:

  • Powerball: 14
  • Mega Millions: 11

Lottery Post Staff

Comments

whiteballz's avatarwhiteballz

I want it.

TheMeatman2005's avatarTheMeatman2005

I'm ready....I'm set.....now all I need to do is GO buy my ticket!

I will be in it to win it. Good luck to all... especially ME! Yes Nod

Party

LiveInGreenBay's avatarLiveInGreenBay

Someone in Green Bay won 50K in powerball and it wasn't me.  Crying

Joshua1991

MESSAGE TO Power ball Player's......

 

 

The Power ball. Will RISE AGAIN $2.5 Billion dollar's.  I Will Win the Jackpot. The First Youngest Power ball Winner With $1.2 Billion Dollar's.... 

 

 

Thank You

dpoly1's avatardpoly1

DrumI'll take it! $$$$$$$$$$$

MotoX2

I smell another billion dollar jackpot.

Brcebrce

Ill put my $20 in Saturday. Pfff split 10 ways still 22.8 million I'll take that.

music*'s avatarmusic*

Shocked A Californian would keep $200 million after taxes. If you lived on a budget you could make this last for your lifetime. You will need an Asset Protection plan. Which will include an Irrevocable Life Insurance trust- ILIT. Other types of Trusts. Umbrella Insurance. LLC, FLP, FLP stands for Family Limited Partnership.

 It would be interesting to invest a portion and watch it grow and bring in profits.

 I will research Executive Protection Firm. Security will be needed.

Dance Thank You, Todd, for bringing us the Top 25!

Joshua1991

Quote: Originally posted by MotoX2 on Jul 28, 2016

I smell another billion dollar jackpot.

That Jackpot Will RISE TO Power AGAIN $2.5 Billion Dollar's........ I Will Win be the Winner

 

 

Thank You

noise-gate

I am ready to be in the top 10- all the best people.

delS

I do not mind becoming an immigrant in the Land of Wealth. I'm well able to possess this JACKPOT.#have a plan #enjoythejourney

pickone4me's avatarpickone4me

The local liberal mainstream media stations are taking notice of the powerball jackpot now too.  The people that say it would be easy to go from poor to rich are really nuts,  All the low life's within the area will take notice,  so will family,  and unknown family,  and so on.    Think of it like this,  "more money,  more problems"

music*'s avatarmusic*

Quote: Originally posted by delS on Jul 28, 2016

I do not mind becoming an immigrant in the Land of Wealth. I'm well able to possess this JACKPOT.#have a plan #enjoythejourney

Cool delS, I like your thinking. Especially in Maryland, an anonymous State. Cheers

music*'s avatarmusic*

Quote: Originally posted by pickone4me on Jul 28, 2016

The local liberal mainstream media stations are taking notice of the powerball jackpot now too.  The people that say it would be easy to go from poor to rich are really nuts,  All the low life's within the area will take notice,  so will family,  and unknown family,  and so on.    Think of it like this,  "more money,  more problems"

  I will be taking Robert Pagliarini's advice. He is the author of "Sudden Wealth". He recommends that you create a one or two line reply. Memorize it and use it when asked for a gift, loan, or anything else. It could be something like this,"I cannot reply to your request now but I will give your information to my Financial Adviser" "He will get back to you with more questions".  If they continue to ask just repeat your reply.

 This is creating a business like exchange. Go Slow. "He or She who has the gold rules". They play by your rules now.

dpoly1's avatardpoly1

Quote: Originally posted by music* on Jul 28, 2016

  I will be taking Robert Pagliarini's advice. He is the author of "Sudden Wealth". He recommends that you create a one or two line reply. Memorize it and use it when asked for a gift, loan, or anything else. It could be something like this,"I cannot reply to your request now but I will give your information to my Financial Adviser" "He will get back to you with more questions".  If they continue to ask just repeat your reply.

 This is creating a business like exchange. Go Slow. "He or She who has the gold rules". They play by your rules now.

My reply would be:

"See the PA Legislature as they now have an extra $10,150,000!"

Representative Dave Reed: 550 Philadelphia St, Indiana, PA 15701

Green laugh

delS

Quote: Originally posted by music* on Jul 28, 2016

Cool delS, I like your thinking. Especially in Maryland, an anonymous State. Cheers

Thank you. Anonymous is the way to go.

Joshua1991

The Jackpot Will RISE TO POWER AGAIN $2.5Billion Dollar'......I Will Win the Lottery

Tatototman65's avatarTatototman65

Good luck to all players!

Smile

mypiemaster's avatarmypiemaster

Quote: Originally posted by delS on Jul 28, 2016

Thank you. Anonymous is the way to go.

I Agree!Pass  it on to those lottery officials that are still clueless.

pickone4me's avatarpickone4me

Quote: Originally posted by music* on Jul 28, 2016

  I will be taking Robert Pagliarini's advice. He is the author of "Sudden Wealth". He recommends that you create a one or two line reply. Memorize it and use it when asked for a gift, loan, or anything else. It could be something like this,"I cannot reply to your request now but I will give your information to my Financial Adviser" "He will get back to you with more questions".  If they continue to ask just repeat your reply.

 This is creating a business like exchange. Go Slow. "He or She who has the gold rules". They play by your rules now.

I was going to go with "I have no comment at this time" if I would ever have a jackpot win,  because the liberal mainstream media is so dishonest.  I would definitely give a statement on facebook after I get paid.  I'm too politically incorrect for TV.

mypiemaster's avatarmypiemaster

Quote: Originally posted by dpoly1 on Jul 28, 2016

My reply would be:

"See the PA Legislature as they now have an extra $10,150,000!"

Representative Dave Reed: 550 Philadelphia St, Indiana, PA 15701

Green laugh

Thumbs UpGood answer. They'll need the M1 Abrams to blow that money out of the hands of those politicians.

faber98

Quote: Originally posted by music* on Jul 28, 2016

  I will be taking Robert Pagliarini's advice. He is the author of "Sudden Wealth". He recommends that you create a one or two line reply. Memorize it and use it when asked for a gift, loan, or anything else. It could be something like this,"I cannot reply to your request now but I will give your information to my Financial Adviser" "He will get back to you with more questions".  If they continue to ask just repeat your reply.

 This is creating a business like exchange. Go Slow. "He or She who has the gold rules". They play by your rules now.

i tried to resist but i couldn't. seems like you're going to have one heckuva time with your 400m cash or whatever amount you're dreaming of winning. just sitting back and watching it grow sounds like you will be having the time of your life. and by all means don't give any away, spend any, or loan any of it out or your nest egg won't grow as fast as you are probably aging. i sleep better knowing absolutely for sure that you won't win it. that fraud pagliarini's advice will only cause one to lose friends and gain enemy's. you certainly would be ostracized in your community if you stayed there. being whispered about behind your back and probably in front of it. they'd be saying "that old miser invested all the money with some financial advisor who is out celebrating one town over over this and she's not doling out a cent to anyone saying i cannot reply to your request now but i will give your information to my financial advisor  and he will get back to you with more questions". the town could use a couple of mil for infrastructure repair and she won't even "lend them some cash" never mind donate some. yes, we're jealous, envious and all that but the bottom line is we just don't like this person. hope she leaves town with her "money". and you don't care. i'll answer for you. it's my money and i will do with it as i please. i am going to convert it to cash and have it put in my coffin. probably sooner that you think.

lejardin's avatarlejardin

Faber what a crock.  Music was talking about protecting the wealth and not being one of the statistics who lose it all. How do you know what will be given out, what charities will be involved? 

TheGameGrl's avatarTheGameGrl

Quote: Originally posted by faber98 on Jul 28, 2016

i tried to resist but i couldn't. seems like you're going to have one heckuva time with your 400m cash or whatever amount you're dreaming of winning. just sitting back and watching it grow sounds like you will be having the time of your life. and by all means don't give any away, spend any, or loan any of it out or your nest egg won't grow as fast as you are probably aging. i sleep better knowing absolutely for sure that you won't win it. that fraud pagliarini's advice will only cause one to lose friends and gain enemy's. you certainly would be ostracized in your community if you stayed there. being whispered about behind your back and probably in front of it. they'd be saying "that old miser invested all the money with some financial advisor who is out celebrating one town over over this and she's not doling out a cent to anyone saying i cannot reply to your request now but i will give your information to my financial advisor  and he will get back to you with more questions". the town could use a couple of mil for infrastructure repair and she won't even "lend them some cash" never mind donate some. yes, we're jealous, envious and all that but the bottom line is we just don't like this person. hope she leaves town with her "money". and you don't care. i'll answer for you. it's my money and i will do with it as i please. i am going to convert it to cash and have it put in my coffin. probably sooner that you think.

Well as my granddaddy said: what others think of you is none of your business. So allow ppl their opinions. Unless they are being libelous or slanderous,I tend to ignore contemptuous remarks.  Its more a reflection on them then anything. 

How you invest is between you and your conscious. 

I've no qualms in winning and moving on in life. :)

helpmewin's avatarhelpmewin

$478 MILLION: Powerball jackpot surges i think i will get my tickets early this time

Good Luck Players Guitar

mikeintexas's avatarmikeintexas

Quote: Originally posted by lejardin on Jul 28, 2016

Faber what a crock.  Music was talking about protecting the wealth and not being one of the statistics who lose it all. How do you know what will be given out, what charities will be involved? 

Yep, what a M*$$hole.  I think he gets snot-slinging drunk and after he kicks the dog for a while and it runs off, he has to come in here and show how good he is at run-on sentences.

One-Day

Hope it rolls.

music*'s avatarmusic*

Quote: Originally posted by One-Day on Jul 29, 2016

Hope it rolls.

One-Day, Do you want to be the sole winner on Saturday night? I do not understand your, "Hope it rolls".

 I am expecting $200 million. Just imagine what you could do with all that cash.Dance

rcbbuckeye's avatarrcbbuckeye

Quote: Originally posted by faber98 on Jul 28, 2016

i tried to resist but i couldn't. seems like you're going to have one heckuva time with your 400m cash or whatever amount you're dreaming of winning. just sitting back and watching it grow sounds like you will be having the time of your life. and by all means don't give any away, spend any, or loan any of it out or your nest egg won't grow as fast as you are probably aging. i sleep better knowing absolutely for sure that you won't win it. that fraud pagliarini's advice will only cause one to lose friends and gain enemy's. you certainly would be ostracized in your community if you stayed there. being whispered about behind your back and probably in front of it. they'd be saying "that old miser invested all the money with some financial advisor who is out celebrating one town over over this and she's not doling out a cent to anyone saying i cannot reply to your request now but i will give your information to my financial advisor  and he will get back to you with more questions". the town could use a couple of mil for infrastructure repair and she won't even "lend them some cash" never mind donate some. yes, we're jealous, envious and all that but the bottom line is we just don't like this person. hope she leaves town with her "money". and you don't care. i'll answer for you. it's my money and i will do with it as i please. i am going to convert it to cash and have it put in my coffin. probably sooner that you think.

I imagine you would be the first one to crow on here if music won and then blew it all in 5 years.

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