3rd largest lottery jackpot the world has ever seen
Cash value is three-quarters of a billion dollars
By Todd Northrop
The most commonly-heard phrase this week just might be, "Did you get Mega Millions tickets?"
That's because nobody won the Mega Millions multi-state lottery drawing Tuesday night, sending the Friday jackpot to heights only seen once before in the game's history.
By Friday, the game is likely to sport a jackpot of greater than $1 billion.
Friday's Mega Millions jackpot is currently estimated at $970 million, with a lump-sum cash value of $716.3 million. And based on past multi-state lottery jackpots, that estimate may get a lot bigger by the time the drawing kicks off Friday night.
To get to this size, the jackpot has been growing since it started on Sept. 18 as a $20 million prize — now a record 36 consecutive drawings without a winner.
Friday's $970 million Mega Millions jackpot is the 2nd-largest in the game's history, and the 3rd-largest lottery jackpot in world history. The largest lottery jackpot ever awarded was on January 13, 2016, when three tickets from California, Florida, and Tennessee shared a $1.6 billion Powerball jackpot. Mega Millions had its largest-ever jackpot — valued at $1.537 billion — awarded to a single winning ticket claimed anonymously in South Carolina.
The lump-sum cash value of $716.3 million is also the 3rd-largest on the all-time lottery jackpot cash value rankings (see full list below).
The USA's other big multi-state game, Powerball, is simultaneously achieving historic jackpot levels with its $730 million jackpot. Together, Powerball and Mega Millions offer an astonishing $1.7 billion in combined jackpots.
Lottery players dreaming what all the cash will look like in their bank account after federal and state taxes are taken out can see an after-tax analysis of the current Mega Millions jackpot by visiting USA Mega's Mega Millions Jackpot Analysis page. The Jackpot Analysis page has recently been improved to also include the additional taxes that will be due after the initial withholdings, and will even allow players to see the taxes due under different filing statuses.
The rush of ticket sales over the next few days likely will propel the jackpot to an even higher amount before the drawing takes place Friday. Lottery Post and USA Mega will update the jackpot tallies displayed if such an increase occurs.
The quickest way to find the winning numbers after the drawing Friday will be by visiting USA Mega (www.usamega.com) at 11:00 pm Eastern Time (8:00 pm Pacific), when the winning numbers will be published live as they are drawn.
Players looking for the nearest official lottery retailer — or maybe just a different store without such a long line — are urged to use the free Lottery Places app available for iOS, Android, and Windows. The app can find lottery stores in every Mega Millions state and can search across state lines — something even official state lotteries can't do.
Some states offer direct online sales too. Michigan residents can bypass the store completely and buy Mega Millions tickets and Powerball tickets online. Texas residents can buy Mega Millions tickets and Powerball tickets online too. Oregon residents have options to buy Mega Millions tickets and Powerball tickets online as well. Note that some of these links will only work properly for residents of the states mentioned.
Players outside the USA can use a reputable butler service, which provides scanned copies of the purchased lottery tickets securely held on behalf of the customer. In the past, the lottery ticket service was used by people out side the USA to win big jackpots in Oregon and Florida.
In Tuesday night's Mega Millions drawing, there was no jackpot winner, but 11 lucky players matched the first 5 numbers for a $1,000,000 prize: 1 from California, 3 from Florida, 1 from Illinois, 1 from Kansas, 1 from Mississippi, 2 from New Jersey, 1 from Pennsylvania, and 1 from Washington.
The California second-prize winner will be awarded $1,401,723 instead of the fixed $1 million prize awarded in the other states. 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. In this drawing the pari-mutuel prize calculation meant a 40% larger prize than what the other states award, but sometimes that can mean a smaller prize too.
Out of all the second-prize tickets, only two from Florida were purchased with the Megaplier option for an extra $1 per play, multiplying their prize 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.
Also, a total of 139 tickets matched four of the first five numbers plus the Mega Ball to win a $10,000 prize. Of those tickets, 15 were purchased with the Megaplier option, increasing the prize to $20,000, and 20 were sold in California, where the prize awarded this drawing is $9,710.
The Mega Millions winning numbers for Tuesday, January 19, 2021, were 10, 19, 26, 28, and 50, with Mega Ball number 16. The Megaplier number was 2.
Following the Tuesday drawing, the Mega Millions annuity jackpot estimate was raised $105 million from its previous amount of $865 million. The cash value was raised by $77.5 million from its previous amount of $638.8 million.
Mega Millions is currently offered for sale in 45 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.
Top 25 United States lottery jackpots of all time
Friday's Mega Millions jackpot currently stands as the 3rd-largest lottery jackpot in world history. 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 (19 rollovers, starting at $40 million) - California, Florida, Tennessee
- Mega Millions: $1.537 billion, Oct. 23, 2018 (25 rollovers, starting at $40 million) - South Carolina
- Mega Millions: $970 million, Jan. 22, 2021 (36 rollovers, starting at $20 million) - Preliminary estimate, not won yet
- Powerball: $768.4 million, Mar. 27, 2019 (25 rollovers, starting at $40 million) - Wisconsin
- Powerball: $758.7 million, Aug. 23, 2017 (20 rollovers, starting at $40 million) - Massachusetts
- Powerball: $730 million, Jan. 20, 2021 (35 rollovers, starting at $20 million) - Preliminary estimate, not won yet
- Powerball: $687.8 million, Oct. 27, 2018 (21 rollovers, starting at $40 million) - Iowa, New York
- Mega Millions: $656 million, Mar. 30, 2012 (18 rollovers, starting at $12 million) - Illinois, Kansas, Maryland
- Mega Millions: $636 million, Dec. 17, 2013 (21 rollovers, starting at $12 million) - California, Georgia
- Powerball: $590.5 million, May 18, 2013 (13 rollovers, starting at $40 million) - Florida
- Powerball: $587.5 million, Nov. 28, 2012 (15 rollovers, starting at $40 million) - Arizona, Missouri
- Powerball: $564.1 million, Feb. 11, 2015 (20 rollovers, starting at $40 million) - North Carolina, Puerto Rico, Texas
- Powerball: $559.7 million, Jan. 6, 2018 (20 rollovers, starting at $40 million) - New Hampshire
- Mega Millions: $543 million, Jul. 24, 2018 (22 rollovers, starting at $40 million) - California
- Mega Millions: $536 million, Jul. 8, 2016 (34 rollovers, starting at $15 million) - Indiana
- Mega Millions: $533 million, Mar. 30, 2018 (23 rollovers, starting at $40 million) - New Jersey
- Mega Millions: $522 million, Jun. 7, 2019 (24 rollovers, starting at $40 million) - California
- Powerball: $487 million, Jul. 30, 2016 (23 rollovers, starting at $40 million) - New Hampshire
- Powerball: $456.7 million, Mar. 17, 2018 (19 rollovers, starting at $15 million) - Pennsylvania
- Mega Millions: $451 million, Jan. 5, 2018 (23 rollovers, starting at $15 million) - Florida
- Powerball: $448.4 million, Aug. 7, 2013 (12 rollovers, starting at $40 million) - Minnesota, New Jersey (2)
- Powerball: $447.8 million, Jun. 10, 2017 (19 rollovers, starting at $40 million) - California
- Powerball: $435.3 million, Feb. 22, 2017 (18 rollovers, starting at $40 million) - Indiana
- Powerball: $429.6 million, May 7, 2016 (18 rollovers, starting at $40 million) - New Jersey
- Powerball: $425.3 million, Feb. 19, 2014 (15 rollovers, starting at $40 million) - California
For those keeping score, the number of jackpots in the top 25, by lottery game, are:
- Powerball: 16
- Mega Millions: 9
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 3rd-largest cash value in world history.
- Powerball: $983.5 million cash, Jan. 13, 2016 ($1.5864 billion annuity) - California, Florida, Tennessee
- Mega Millions: $877.8 million cash, Oct. 23, 2018 ($1.537 billion annuity) - South Carolina
- Mega Millions: $716.3 million cash, Jan. 22, 2021 ($970 million annuity) - Preliminary estimate, not won yet
- Powerball: $546 million cash, Jan. 20, 2021 ($730 million annuity) - Preliminary estimate, not won yet
- Powerball: $480.5 million cash, Aug. 23, 2017 ($758.7 million annuity) - Massachusetts
- Powerball: $476.9 million cash, Mar. 27, 2019 ($768.4 million annuity) - Wisconsin
- Mega Millions: $471 million cash, Mar. 30, 2012 ($656 million annuity) - Illinois, Kansas, Maryland
- Powerball: $396.2 million cash, Oct. 27, 2018 ($687.8 million annuity) - Iowa, New York
- 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
- 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
- Mega Millions: $340 million cash, Jun. 7, 2019 ($522 million annuity) - California
- 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
- Mega Millions: $319.9 million cash, Jun. 9, 2020 ($414 million annuity) - Arizona
- 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: $276.5 million cash, Jan. 29, 2020 ($396.9 million annuity) - Florida
- 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
The number of cash value jackpots in the top 25, by lottery game, are:
- Powerball: 15
- Mega Millions: 10
Thanks for posting this Todd. Been chomping on the bit waiting for the standing list. Great job!
sounds like puppy needs a new slipper to gnaw on jejeje
I'm rather surprised it rolled last night, but onward and up ward
Oh Boy, Here We Go !!
Thanks for the laugh, first one being djt leaving and Village People's YMCA playing as they were boarding AF1...how that song slipped through the cracks is beyond me. LMAO!!
I love when the jackpot gets so high. Good luck to everyone playing!
So was I! It's starting to get interesting
Perhaps they'll toss in $30 million more...we shall see.
You're being too optimistic as they only added $15 million ($10 millions cash) to last night's MM jackpot.
Kind of surprised there aren't any postings on dream homes or toys that a potential winner would purchase.
Haven't had a chance to look but wondering would it be best for winner to do annuity or cash? I guess depending on age
Depends on your personality, and your track record with handling money responsibly, I think.
Can you say "no" when someone close to you asks for more money? If you've just bought a 2 million dollar car, do you have to buy the next one that you like too? Do you feel guilty when you have extra and give it away so you don't feel ashamed or greedy?
Answering questions like that truthfully will tell you if you can handle getting the cash or if you should protect the future with an annuity.
YAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!
I don't have jackpot fatigue, I have losing fatigue...I may buy a ticket for this coming draw.
Here, we have had a record jackpot for several draws in a row and there have been excessively few second prizes in Michigan. I am sure most other states can say that too.
If this keeps up they might as well convert the MM into a giant raffle game with weekly, quarterly and annual prizes.
A bil by draw time friday likely. If it rolls, 1.2-1.3 bil by draw time next Tuesday, the later would mean a likely billion dollar cash value. If the current 74% is the indicator, then specifically a 1.36 bil annuity is needed.
Interesting, have no problems with saying "no". I think in TX you have to choose annuity or cash at time of sale but, if you choose annuity, your name will be published after 30 days.
dang if you do, it's best to go cash under trust.
Does anyone know the percentage of ticket sales for the 1/19 MM draw or if it was close to selling all combinations?
One thing for certain and two is for sure: In my mind, I don't have Jackpot fatigue. I'm down for either Jackpot. Moments like these don't happen often.
Am tired of playing already! Hate when it's gets above $300 million, hate dreaming and then wake up to reality and you were so close! However, I will keep trying but not too focused.
Notice that nobody has collected either of these multi-state lotteries as annuities in a few years. That is because jackpot winners understand that for safety, no entity should know your residence address or Bank routing number with checking account number for 29 years. Way too easy to break into their database and copy this information to distribute on the black web or even come after you.
Better to claim as lump sum (which, incidentally, due to the poor USA economy is a much higher percentage than usual), claim anonymously, don't tell your relatives or children who don't understand that loose lips sink ships, quit job, and move to a state that doesn't charge for income or interest earned, and also doesn't charge a death tax to your estate. Most winners should even legally change their last name before buying things that get put into their estate.
Interesting
They have a ways to go for complete coverage....
Only about 16.4m more tickets were sold for this draw. I would guess between 153m and 164m will be sold for the next one. That still leaves close to 60% chance of rolling over, when accounting for the duplicates.
I would still play for the 2nd prize
I thought anything beyond $1 Million was the required threshold to reach before you could claim anonymous.
It is, I read that today! Always hopeful for a piece of the pie
"I'm rather surprised it rolled last night"
A rollover was the most likely outcome. Unless they sell a lot more tickets than they're expecting for Friday night a rollover is also the most likely outcome this time around.
"Does anyone know the percentage of ticket sales for the 1/19 MM draw or if it was close to selling all combinations?"
About 68 cents from each ticket goes to the jackpot, so (the increase in cash value) / .68 gives a decent approximation of the number of tickets sold. Based on the 865 after the bump for Tuesday's drawing and figuring an even billion by Friday the cash value will have increased by just about $100 million, which means tickets sales of about 147 million.
If all tickets were chosen randomly 147 million tickets would use 38.48% of the possible combinations (about 116 million unique combinations). That would leave a 61.52% chance of a rollover. Since a lot of people who choose their own numbers use calendar numbers, patterns etc. selling 147 million tickets will use something less than 116 million unique combinations. Even if 7 million of the tickets are concentrated on just a couple of thousand combinations the chance of a rollover only increases to 62%, so not a big difference.
If you definition of "close to selling all combinations" means 95% of them, that would take sales of about 907 million random tickets. So far the sales record is about 635 million tickets for the record PB 5 years ago.
Powerball has fallen to some lucky person in Maryland. Would not be shocked to see MM hit 1 billion now that PB gone.
I only loved you all along, Mega Millions. I had no desire to win that Powerball anyways. It's you, only you! Rain your billions on me!
Mayhem at the terminals.
I am not out and about much but on the last JP I saw one person at a store here buy $50 worth of MM tix. The counter was no where near crowded.
I don't know, I may break down and get carried away and buy Two tickets.... I have yet to buy any for tomorrow.
Taking my 4 legged friend,headed out for a ride to our favorite lil country store and spend a few bucks....
I have spent way too much leading up to these two jackpots being won sometime soon. I think like $30 on mega and power combined and not winning very much so for this billion dollar jackpot I spent $6 on two $3 tickets and that is it. My lotto budget went bye bye since January started and now I am just doing a little bit here and their on the tickets until this mega is won.-weshar75
Took $100 of the recent $600 Corona check and bought 50 MM tickets for Friday's draw. I can hear the Cha-ching coming.....
I figured the stimulus check would have boosted lottery ticket buying but apparently millions of people have other needs.
One word of advice to anyone who inherits or wins +$100 million. Do your due diligence on setting up a family office.