4th-largest US lottery jackpot in history; 7th-largest cash value
By Todd Northrop
There are going to be a lot of lottery tickets sold this week.
For only the 5th time in the history of United States lotteries, a lottery jackpot has grown to more than $600 million.
The new high-water mark of $654 million for the current Mega Millions jackpot was achieved after no winning tickets were sold for Friday night's $548 million grand prize.
The lump-sum cash payout value of Tuesday's Mega Millions jackpot is $372.6 million. After-tax cash and annuity prize amounts are reported state-by-state on the Jackpot Analysis page at USA Mega, a web site devoted to the Mega Millions and Powerball multi-state lottery games.
There is only one Mega Millions jackpot that has ever grown larger than this one: A then-record $656 million grand prize drawing on March 30, 2012, when three tickets from Illinois, Kansas, and Maryland split the winnings. The Kansas and Maryland winners claimed their shares anonymously, and an Illinois couple claimed the final third of the massive payout.
Tuesday's mammoth jackpot is the result of 23 consecutive draws without a winner. The run-up started as a $40 million prize on July 27.
Players should note that jackpot amounts are conservative estimates provided by the lotteries, and are often somewhat higher by the time the drawing occurs.
The winning numbers for Friday, October 12, 2018 were 4, 24, 46, 61, and 70, with Mega Ball number 7. The Megaplier number was 3.
Even though nobody won the jackpot Friday, 1 lucky player from Arkansas matched the first 5 numbers for a $1,000,000 prize. But because that player also purchased the Megaplier option for an additional $1, their payout will be multiplied to $3 million.
All Mega Millions jurisdictions exception California offer the Megaplier option, which for an extra $1 per play multiplies any non-jackpot prizes the player wins by the Megaplier number drawn. The Megaplier 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 within California and the number of tickets that won at each prize level in the state.
Also, a total of 55 tickets matched four of the first five numbers plus the Mega Ball to win a $10,000 prize. Of those tickets, 7 were purchased with the Megaplier option, increasing the prize to $30,000, and 6 were sold in California, where the prize awarded this drawing is $16,125.
Following the Friday drawing, the Mega Millions annuity jackpot estimate was raised $106 million from its previous amount of $548 million. The cash value was raised by $63.4 million from its previous amount of $309.2 million.
The next Mega Millions drawing will take place Tuesday night at 11:00 pm Eastern Time (8:00 pm Pacific).
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.
Mega Millions 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 Mega Millions.
Top 25 United States lottery jackpots of all time
Tuesday's Mega Millions jackpot currently stands as the 4th-largest lottery jackpot of all time in the United States, and the 2nd-largest Mega Millions jackpot ever. Brisk sales will likely push the jackpot estimate higher by draw time.
If nobody wins Tuesday, it's anyone's guess how high it will go.
- 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: $654 million, Oct. 16, 2018 - Preliminary estimate, not won yet
- 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: $543 million, Jul. 24, 2018 - California
- Mega Millions: $536 million, Jul. 8, 2016 - Indiana
- Mega Millions: $533 million, Mar. 30, 2018 - New Jersey
- 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
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 7th-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
- Mega Millions: $372.6 million cash, Oct. 16, 2018 ($654 million annuity) - Preliminary estimate, not won yet
- 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: $320.5 million cash, Jul. 24, 2018 ($543 million annuity) - California
- 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
The number of cash value jackpots in the top 25, by lottery game, are:
- Powerball: 14
- Mega Millions: 11
Right, yeah no one is going to buy tickets because no one cares anymore. Just us.
I got my tickets this morning!
Let's go Mega Millions!
Rolling rolling baby,
got to keep on rolling!
Big $6 winner here...LOL
May have to rethink my MM chosen numbers this time
...... Onward we go with the PB tonight.. stay thirsty in the hunt my friends.
7 is my lucky number.
I played #'s from a foreign lottery for MM. One of them had 34 for the last # and said I can't use that so will add them together=7 for the Gold Mega Ball.
Good luck to you tonight Artist77 on Powerball!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KPplYp7K7M
or this version
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kA6qZEjzqQg (just for BD)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unOlaq9TlVE <----good jingle
I'm never much good for anything once a jackpot gets this high, my head is in the clouds daydreaming. lol
but I still like this one this is the life by Weird Al
CDanaT,
Is the guy at the end of the jingle music?
Ya knoooooooowwww CT, I was sorta thinking that very same thing
HT..... That one could apply to a few of our fellow posters
I'll gladly take tonight's PowerBall jackpot and slip into obscurity.
WOW..thanks for posting those from youtube; played 'em both...long forgotten from childhood and the oldies channel never ever plays them.
I will move the cash to Sweden!
.
I hear you man, but the lotto gotto stop rollin' some time.
Just let me win my 1 million (2nd prize), and I'll be set, I think, because of the taxes.
I hope the Trump Administration makes a mandataory lotto, which takes a buck out of each person's paycheck, and has a national lotto once a month, for all legally employed persons, JUST in the USA.
This would include all the people on SS, disablty. etc.
But, if he does, I'd hope he drops the odds of the game considerably, because the odds are driving folks like you and me crazy.
I have a feeling PB wont be won until mega wins so Ill wait some more. I was just looking at the cash amounts and was surprised to note that even though this jackpot is what 2million shy of being the 3rd highest annuity amount it's 100million dollars less than that same amount. Granted no one would care but it still seems crazy that the amounts have such a difference while only being 2 million less than each other. I was really hoping it hit on Friday and Im praying that it doesn't reach one Billion
The fluctuating bond yields have thrown this advertised jackpot (annuity vs. cash option spread) all out of whack. They base it off of the amount of cash in the pot, divide it by the current bond (treasuries, I guess) rates, and that is how they come up with the advertised jackpot. A month ago it was the cash amount divided by 0.60, last week it was cash divided by 0.58, last night's drawing was cash divided by 0.565, and now it's the cash in the pot divided by 0.57.
Any number can be drawn. 7 does sound good.
There will be a winner by Friday night. There is something weird about the lottery amt and perhaps I think the winner(s) come from New England, CA, Floriday, Michigan???
Good luck Bluedog! Like your strategy.
The 2nd prize winner came from a State that is not close to the ocean, that explains everything and l expected this ruse.
* The Winner on Tuesday comes from a State with an Ocean View.
With 57 million tickets sold there was less than a 20% chance of somebody winning the jackpot. Sales were 19 million more than the previous drawing, but I believe the real ticket buying frenzy won't start until the cash value reaches $500 million.
"no one cares anymore"
If anything, players know the difference between a fake jackpot and the real money after taxes.
Foreign jackpot winner incoming...
Certainly won't be the first time, though best of my knowledge not for this amount. One in Florida and one in Oregon in recent memory.
I am ready. I picked out the Hotel, Bank, and Post Office that I will need.
I may delay my claiming day in order to get a Living Revocable Trust and an LLC Limited Liability Company. Plus insurance. Get my Legal and Financial ducks in order.
I will need a personal loan to tide me over until I get the check. Don't worry I will not do what David Lee Edwards did and go to Las Vegas with a $200,000.00 loan.
Best Weird Al ever!
One more minute, you've got to love the words........
"I burned down the malt shop where we used to go
just because it reminds me of you"
too bad it never played on radio;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWhpk-8QLFQ
Reading your post music had me assuming that you had come into the possession of a palantir & gazed into it...
" l picked out a bank, may delay my claiming day, get my legal and financial ducks in order, l will need a personal loan to tide me over until l get the check."- Impressive to say the least.
Which reminds me of this quote.
" Optimists have a tendency to make lemonade out of lemons, and to then see the glass as half-full rather than half-empty. It's an admirable quality, one that can positively affect mental and physical health. Some optimists consistently ascribe benevolent motives to others and interpret situations in the best possible light; others simply disassociate their internal mood from external circumstances, no matter how sticky. Adding in a bit of complexity, the latest research shows that tempering a sunny disposition with a small dose of realism, or even pessimism, might be the best way to build resilience and achieve one's goals." - Psychology Today.
More Power to you!
I love this quote! Write your goals down each and every day, keep your eyes open for opportunity when it smiles upon you, recognize and act upon it, and surround yourself with advisors to teach and guide you on your way.
And here...l couldn't help myself.
No winner in Power Ball last night so now the total up for grabs is $999 mil
MM $654 PB $345
I used LP's Quick Picks Generator for 5 sets for each game.
If I win, don't worry Todd, you will get a commission.
You are generous and thoughtful. How big of a commission? or tip?
Thank You for the update on the $999,000,000.00 It may reach a billion dollars before the draws.
That's a Teaser there music*...999 million...Notice MM or PB hasn't upped the ante @ all so we may be stuck there.
Second tier prizes won in MI & NE for Powerball, so much for the coastal theory though it does seem to apply to the top tier prize.
If I were to win the jackpot I would ask for it all in unwrapped hand counted pennies :)
“We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make the world.”
Not enough pennies in the us for this though. you figure there's at max 2 trillion pennies although that's being generous. 2Trillion pennies is just 20Million. Sorry I ruined your joke
I went out to purchase a (1) ticket for Tues and Wednesday and had the fortune to stand behind a woman who was running 20-ish slips through the machine. 1 line per slip and then verified each slip to the ticket and THEN had her grandson verify that her verification was correct. I had plenty of time to drink my coffee, and go back and get a refill (clerk told us all to go ahead and get refills cuz this was a weekly "outing" for this family. The man behind me was disappointed I only got 1 pick per game. He was hoping to get an additional cup of coffee out of the wait. :)
You might not have won the lottery, but won the patient person award. My mouth would have said 'Eff this' and left or went to the self service lottery machine if your state/store has them.
I would have held out for donuts !!! 1 chocolate and 1 plain and none of those fufu ones either !!!
In my little town (pop 2500, give or take) there are three men who have won million dollar plus jackpots (actually, one was $1000/week for life, but that was more than 20 years ago, so it's officially a million plus by now) and I see one of these guys in the store where I always get my gas, coffee, and tickets. He's always got a fistful of scratch-offs to turn in for redemption, and he shoots the breeze with the clerk and anyone who stops in. When a customer comes in, he'll step aside and let the clerk take care of the customer, so as not to be in anybody's way. The other jackpot winner I know is always volunteering his time in the community, plowing snow and such things, and he's quick to buy you a beer or your lunch if he's in the pub eating his lunch.
lowellm, Thank You for the positive stories. Especially originating from ILLINOIS. I only hear bad news from Chicago. Good Luck!!
You're sure welcome, music*! Down state Illinois is a whole other world compared to Chicago (although Chicago is a surprisingly friendly city to visit, I must say!) Best of Luck to you, as well!
My Curmudgeonmobile!
My Lottery Dream Home airs at 1pm EDT on HGTV today.
Kinda reminds me of my experience in a neighboring city, when the jackpot was over a billion. A jackpot counter hogger, oh my..
Same here on Pacific Time 1 pm - 3 pm. HGTV Thank You Original Bey!
Are you still planning on doing the Seychelles and Madagascar?
And the problem with that would be what exactly?
The first few episodes in the series were good, after that, everyone they featured were people who only won $1 million or less. After taxes, what is left to buy a house means the houses are no different than what we see on House Hunters. Made me lose interest. Especially considering how the show is billed.
Reminds me of that lottery documentary that was done where all the winners still lived in their old homes, still drove their old cars, still clipped coupons, still bought their belongings from yard sales and still worked the same jobs. It was incredibly boring.
Awesome!
Teddi, You might enjoy the first show listed for 1 pm. PDST. It will feature Rick and Lori Knudsen who won $180 million here in California.
Now you're talking.
No problem at all mate,I just have a sneaky feeling that this jackpot is going to make history...
I really hope not the higher it the greater chance of more than one winner which means one person could have just won it weeks ago so that the rest of us don't go insane with lottery fever
Let's just say.... To be determined!
Hmmm, like the first person to win from a country in southern Africa? That kind of history?
It would give an interesting spin to the coastal theory making the rounds.
Yes l am Teddi. The pics above are of the Seychelles. I expect to visit your homeland as well & throw a few coins in the local fountain.Btw- where have you been? When l don't see certain posts from members of LP, l sometimes fear the worst. However " Look all around, there's nothing but blues skies, Look straight ahead....
"
...and l read somewhere that just off the Namibian coast, they are dredging for diamonds LL. In desperate times, one sometimes has to look to far off lands for fortunes.
And all we have to do to look for fortunes is to go down to the corner convenience store and say...."One Mega Millions and one Power Ball ticket please"
With the megaplier or power play. Lol
I'm sure this has been said a lot but if i dont win i want to see it grow. We already have seen a 1.5 billion prize. I want to see 2 billion. And i want to see one person win it. Also, id like to be that person. Just throwing it out there to the Lotto Gods if they are listening.
I couldn't have said It better myself TMM.
At the current bond rates, the jackpot would need to be around $3.1B before I (an Illinois taxpayer, 4.95%) would clear $1B after taxes. I've always said, I'll either win big, or not at all! So far I've kept that promise!
I'd love to be below 5%. I live in NJ 8%. So they cut deep in my lotto pie. I think my take home amount is around 253m after both federal and state. I think i might be able to scrape by with that total. :)
Haha, you might still need to clip coupons to make ends meet... Since the federal tax cut, I just figure the cash option x .58 to allow for both state and federal taxes. In this drawing it would come out to $216,000,000. Remember, the lottery takes out 24% for federal taxes, but you'd still owe 13% more come tax time, plus state taxes. I'd put 10% of that into a charitable foundation, so that would reduce the taxable basis a little bit.
I am curious about one thing, Once they take out Fed and State taxes the first time, Do they continue to take them out year after year ? Do they go after the interest it generates in the bank ?
Hey, it looks like we used to be neighbors ;) Back in '90 & '91 I was stationed at the Navy base in Philly. I miss those cheese steaks!
Nope, they can only take them out for that one year, after that it's yours to keep. You can invest it, or keep it under your mattress and they cannot touch it. But if you invest it, whatever money you make from those investment is taxable. Invest it in conservative stocks that pay dividends, or in mutual funds, and the money it earns will be taxed at the lowest rates.