8th-largest US jackpot ever
By Todd Northrop
August has been a hot month for lottery jackpot chasers, with both Mega Millions and Powerball simultaneously reaching massive levels. Even though Mega Millions has been won, Powerball continues to roll, now surpassing the half-billion dollar mark.
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 $510 million — which may quite possibly be much higher by the time the Powerball drawing kicks off Saturday night.
Seasoned lottery players keep an eye on the lump-sum cash value of the jackpot, and the initial estimate is just as eye-popping: $324.2 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 ranks as 9th 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 US lottery jackpot since an Indiana family claimed a $536 million Mega Millions lottery jackpot in July 2016. The last Powerball jackpot reaching this high was the world-record record $1.6 billion grand prize awarded in the January 13, 2016, drawing. Three winning tickets from California, Florida, and Tennessee split the unprecedented jackpot.
Saturday's mammoth jackpot is the result of 19 consecutive draws without a winner. The run-up started as a $40 million prize on June 14.
The winning numbers for Wednesday, August 16, 2017 were 9, 15, 43, 60, and 64, with Powerball number 4. The Power Play number was 3.
Even though nobody won the jackpot Wednesday, 3 lucky players matched the first 5 numbers for a $1,000,000 prize: 1 from California, 1 from Florida, and 1 from Texas.
Only one of the second-prize winners purchased the Power Play option — the ticket sold in Texas. 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.
93 tickets matched four white numbers plus the Powerball and won $50,000. Of those tickets, 15 were purchased with the Power Play option, increasing the prize to $150,000, and 14 of the tickets were sold in California, where the prize was worth $11,120 this drawing.
Following the Wednesday drawing, the Powerball annuity jackpot estimate was raised a whopping $77.5 million from its previous amount of $432.5 million and the cash value was raised by $49.2 million from its previous amount of $275 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.
- 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
- Mega Millions: $536 million, Jul. 8, 2016 - Indiana
- Powerball: $510 million, Aug. 19, 2017 - Preliminary estimate, not won yet
- Powerball: $487 million, Jul. 30, 2016 - New Hampshire
- 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
- 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
The number of jackpots in the top 25, by lottery game, are:
- Powerball: 17
- Mega Millions: 7
- The Big Game: 1
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.
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Powerball: $324.2 million cash, Aug. 19, 2017 ($510 million annuity) - Preliminary estimate, not won yet
- Powerball: $284 million cash, May 7, 2016 ($429.6 million annuity) - New Jersey
- Powerball: $279.1 million cash, Jun. 10, 2017 ($447.8 million annuity) - California
- 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
- 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
The number of jackpot cash values in the top 25, by lottery game, are:
- Powerball: 16
- Mega Millions: 9
thanks for posting Todd; always my favorite to see the Powerball hall of fame as i call it.
Thinking it'll creep closer to $525 million for Saturday's drawing.
Going to get my tickets now!
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
I think its going to roll over in the next week. We shall see. Good luck everyone.
Turning $2 Into $510 Million.
The question is, will there now be a bump in the size of the jackpot between now and the Saturday drawing? I say yes.
People will believe anything haven't you all caught on to this already? Fake winners jacked up lottery jackpots just to create false hopes. The lottery winning days are over they have been taken over by the shadow government! I bet nobody on this post knows a single person personally whose won this, its assinine!!!!
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When have we ever been told about "fake winners"?
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I certainly remember the $100 million bump it made, back, in a previous drawing, in one day,
when the jp was approaching one 1 billy!
It has to IMO.
Checked my tickets @ the store 'Sorry, not a winner'. Come home to find the PB #4 with PP, so back to the store later on for my massive $12 win!
This is about the time that all the "I never play the lottery", "lottery is for people that are bad at math" blah blah blah idiots start to jump into the pool and start playing.
I know someone who won the Calif State Lottery in the late 80s.
I'm wanting to redecorate my living room. I think this is a good look.
Should I be so lucky as to win this jackpot, I'm gonna give a big pile of cash to the Republican Party...they're gonna need lots of it for the next presidential election. And if Hillary decides to run again, I'll give her enough money to buy some real clothes- I mean, when all you wear are those Mao Tse Tung/ Brezhnev looking tunics it's like saying, " I'm a communist and I approve this message". LOL
I stopped at a 7/11 in nj where that one family won the Powerball lottery and that was posted up and I don't know the family. There was also a store in West Philly about a half hour from my house where somebody winning are jackpot and University of PA somebody won it so I have seen signs Fairless Hills 7/11 gas station where there was a jackpot winner but I never met the people.
To all those people that won it well good for them they have a better life if they're smart with the money
After last night's drawing, l have resigned myself to the fact, that I am NOW prepared to accept a two or three way split on the PB jackpot, with the *hope of being one the three winners. ** That's my acceptance speech.
wander:
"Bet".......
U will be smarter with UR>>>>>>>>>>PowerBall $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$JACKPOT>>>>>>>>>>>>>$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
I see that winner in the mirror every day, LOL.
It's only half-a-billion ... ok, that's still a lot of money, but still many people aren't overly excited this go around. They're holding out for the billion+ jackpot.
I was at a popular convenience store during lunch time, which sells a lot of lottery, and most were buying instants, cash 5, match 6, etc ... not much buying Powerball. Of course that's just one observation. Overall, PB tickets are selling much faster than normal, but nowhere near the frenzied pace of the past.
Two more roll-overs, and it will be pandemonium like last time. Hopefully, if it should get that high, lottery websites and outdoor advertising are ready this time for billion+ numbers.
Why not just send it to Putin directly?
Why bother with the traitors and klansmen in between?
The article stated:
Powerball is played in 44 states, plus the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Whatever happened to Puerto Rico?
Billboards in KY look like the same old ones to me.
Only?
It increased by 80 million, so, I would say that there was plenty of interest.
5 # ticket in California is only worth $608,157 pre tax thanks to pari-mutuel
How the hell does that terrible setup not cause more controversy in California? Its terrible system
I try my best not to comment on that situation. Several CA LP members and I communicated about it a couple of years ago and they seemed fine with it. Personally I don't like it; however once in a blue moon the five #'s does pay more than $1 million. Like I said once in a blue moon.
California passed legislation to create this payment situation on horse race betting. Then the lottery came along and the same systems are used.
I do not know the total number of winners that are affected by these laws.
After taxes, I calculate that I could buy about 22.000.000 pizzas (swedish prizes) I'm totally good with that.
* l think their jackpot privileges got yanked because of the financial mess the State is in.
That was a pleasant surprise. When it resets, it usually starts at below $100k. This time it started at $608k. Must be due to the number of tickets sold but frankly, I've never seen this before.
Good luck to all players!!!
Go troll somewhere else.
I have my numbers picked and am going to buy 3 tickets!!!! DC is way overdue for a jp win! I need a beachhouse in Malibu but the libs might drive me crazy in California! Lol
A troll and a sore loser!
Where's ma bump???
Gots ta have ma bump!
Bumbitybumpbumpbump!
Sigh...tomorrow is another day -- for a bump!
Yeah, him and the idiot who says to just send the money to Putin. I'm sure you'll remember him, he of the ".50 caliber guns in the back of a pickup" post.
Yes, there are many more playing than usual, but not to the extent I recall in the past at this jackpot level. Likely they'll bump the estimate up before Saturday, but would be surprised if it rises much above $550 million.
Maybe I'm visiting the wrong retailers, because not seeing much PB buying. Presumably, Saturday will be more busy, but still strange not to see more regulars buying in bulk like they used to.
This past drawing, I played 3 lines with Powerplay (hitting 2nd place is 25X more likely) for 2 draws. Had a feeling it was going to roll. I'd be somewhat surprised if it does again, though. Be exciting if it does, but on the other-hand, the lines and delays buying tickets will be annoying. When PB / MM jackpots are small, buying tickets goes much faster and smoother. Hoping PA Lottery gets an on-line purchase option - they're working on it, but the legislation is in limbo right now.
As for California, I can't understand why the prize pool allocation for 2nd place is often so proportionally small. I can understand if many players hit Match-5 they could each get much less, but often it's only a handful or even just one player, and yet still often win far less than $1 million. Something is way off with how California is calculating para-mutuel for the higher prize tiers to have such consistent short-changing of winners compared to the fixed prize amounts other lotteries pay for the same prize tier.
If I resided in California, I'd find a way to buy PB / MM tickets out of state for multiple draws to avoid nasty para-mutuel surprises. Also, I like the multiplier option, since lower tier prizes are extremely far more likely to occur than hitting the jackpot. Guess many CA players are used to the current setup and/or don't care enough to stop buying / traveling out of state. I'd be upset to Match-5 and only win say $200K when others elsewhere, for the same prize level, win $1 million.
It may not get bumped up very high but in Jan 2016, it hit $500 million and rolled to $675 M. Later the same day bumped to $700 M. The next day it was up to $800 and the day after that it was $950 M and rolled to $1.3 Billion. Two days later it was up to $1.5 Billion. I just like the excitement. Could not care less if it hit a billion or even got pass the current JP. If I cant win, I want it to keep on rolling, tho the reset of $40 mil isnt a bad jp either.
It's time for a winner from Pa
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Yes, yes indeed. I'd like to have my room decorated in the same way.
I'd be walking around with a 3 or 4 of those packs on me, all the time.
Then, one day, making sure I was stocked up, I'd walk into my local Porsche dealer, and say "Hey. . . . "
I have been playing the same set of numbers now for 5 years, 7 months and close to 20 days,I dont want millions but at least a couple of hundred thousands thank you in advance...
5 years? Wow- l got to hand it to you FB, that's some serious commitment you got going there. l would have thought that after all that time, you would say a few million. However, to each his/her own.
That's a good one shekels!!!!