$800 MILLION: Powerball lottery jackpot approaches billion-dollar range

Jan 8, 2016, 11:32 am (196 comments)

Powerball

Cash value is a half-billion dollars

By Todd Northrop

This is the lottery jackpot every lottery player has been waiting for!

Reaching into uncharted stratospheric heights, the Saturday Powerball jackpot is by far the largest lottery jackpot the world has ever seen, and is now also the largest lump-sum cash jackpot in world history.

Just a day after the jackpot was raised to $700 million, the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL) has once again raised the official Powerball jackpot estimate for the Sat., Jan. 9, drawing to $800 million, with a lump-sum cash payout of $496 million.

And it may not stop there.

Players should watch for further jackpot increases before the Saturday drawing. Long lines of ticket buyers across the nation are generating lottery ticket sales at unprecedented levels. Players should avoid waiting until the last minute to buy their their tickets.

"Saturday's jackpot will be the largest jackpot of any U.S. lottery game on record. This is truly exciting and uncharted territory," said Gary Grief, executive director of the Texas Lottery and chair of the Powerball game group. "We want to remind players to play responsibly and that it only takes one ticket to win."

Saturday's jackpot started at $40 million on Nov. 7, 2015, and is the result of 18 drawings with no jackpot winner.

When nobody won the jackpot on Wednesday night, the initial estimate for Saturday's drawing was established at $675 million, setting the world record for a lottery jackpot. Less than 12 hours later, that estimate was raised to $700 million. And now, less than 24 hours after the last increase, MUSL has again raised the official estimate to $800 million.

The final jackpot tally will be announced during the live draw show on Saturday night, although it's still possible the official estimate will be increased again before then.

"This historic Powerball run has players across the country excited to join the fun, driving sales and the jackpot upward, all of which is a tremendous boost for the education programs funded by the Lottery," said Rebecca Hargrove, President and CEO of the Tennessee Lottery.

Although some lottery players (and some in the news media) believe Spain's El Gordo carries the largest lottery jackpot in the world, this is not the case. El Gordo, despite being termed a "lottery" is actually a raffle-style game, and the top prize is always divided between hundreds of winners. It is like a lottery scratch game in which is the total available prize pool of up to hundreds of millions of dollars is split between thousands of winners, and is not considered a "jackpot".

A jackpot is a large cash prize that accumulates until it is won, whereas a prize pool is the total value awarded to all players of a game. Thus, Powerball has the largest jackpot in world history, while El Gordo has the largest prize pool. Some may believe this is splitting hairs, but in the lottery industry it is an important distinction, and unfortunately one that the mainstream news media cares little to differentiate.

Powerball jackpots start at $40 million and roll until the jackpot is won. Players win the jackpot by matching five numbers from a field of 69 numbers and one Powerball number from a field of 26 numbers. Drawings are conducted each Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 pm Eastern Time.

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 largest lottery jackpot of all time in the United States — and in the world.  The amount of the jackpot may rise even further before the drawing Saturday night, as lotteries are typically conservative in their initial estimates, and brisk sales will certainly continue to push the jackpot estimate higher by draw time.

If nobody wins Saturday... well, let's not even go there.

  1. Powerball: $800 million, Jan. 9, 2016 - Preliminary estimate, not won yet
  2. Mega Millions: $656 million, Mar. 30, 2012 - Illinois, Kansas, Maryland
  3. Mega Millions: $648 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. Powerball: $448.4 million, Aug. 7, 2013 - Minnesota, New Jersey (2)
  8. Powerball: $425.3 million, Feb. 19, 2014 - California
  9. Mega Millions: $414 million, Mar. 18, 2014 - Florida, Maryland
  10. Powerball: $399.4 million, Sep. 18, 2013 - South Carolina
  11. Mega Millions: $390 million, Mar. 6, 2007 - Georgia, New Jersey
  12. Mega Millions: $380 million, Jan. 4, 2011 - Idaho, Washington
  13. Powerball: $365 million, Feb. 18, 2006 - Nebraska
  14. The Big Game: $363 million, May 9, 2000 - Illinois, Michigan
  15. Powerball: $340 million, Oct. 19, 2005 - Oregon
  16. Powerball: $338.3 million, Mar. 23, 2013 - New Jersey
  17. Powerball: $337 million, Aug. 15, 2012 - Michigan
  18. Powerball: $336.4 million, Feb. 11, 2012 - Rhode Island
  19. Mega Millions: $336 million, Aug. 28, 2009 - California, New York
  20. The Big Game: $331 million, Apr. 16, 2002 - Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey
  21. Mega Millions: $330 million, Aug. 31, 2007 - Maryland, New Jersey, Texas, Virginia
  22. Mega Millions: $326 million, Nov. 4, 2014 - New York
  23. Mega Millions: $319 million, Mar. 25, 2011 - New York
  24. Mega Millions: $315 million, Nov. 15, 2005 - California
  25. Powerball: $314.9 million, Dec. 25, 2002 - West Virginia

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.

The new Powerball jackpot ranks as the largest lump-sum cash value jackpot in history.

  1. Powerball: $496 million cash, Jan. 9, 2016 ($800 million annuity) - Preliminary estimate, not won yet
  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. Powerball: $370.9 million cash, May 18, 2013 ($590.5 million annuity) - Florida
  6. Mega Millions: $347.6 million cash, Dec. 17, 2013 ($648 million annuity) - California, Georgia
  7. Powerball: $258.2 million cash, Aug. 7, 2013 ($448.4 million annuity) - Minnesota, New Jersey (2)
  8. Mega Millions: $240 million cash, Jan. 4, 2011 ($380 million annuity) - Idaho, Washington
  9. Mega Millions: $233.1 million cash, Mar. 6, 2007 ($390 million annuity) - Georgia, New Jersey
  10. Mega Millions: $230.9 million cash, Mar. 18, 2014 ($414 million annuity) - Florida, Maryland
  11. Powerball: $227.8 million cash, Feb. 19, 2014 ($425.3 million annuity) - California
  12. Powerball: $224.7 million cash, Aug. 15, 2012 ($337 million annuity) - Michigan
  13. Powerball: $223.3 million cash, Sep. 18, 2013 ($399.4 million annuity) - South Carolina
  14. Mega Millions: $214 million cash, Aug. 28, 2009 ($336 million annuity) - California, New York
  15. Powerball: $211 million cash, Mar. 23, 2013 ($338.3 million annuity) - New Jersey
  16. Powerball: $210 million cash, Feb. 11, 2012 ($336.4 million annuity) - Rhode Island
  17. Mega Millions: $202.9 million cash, Mar. 25, 2011 ($319 million annuity) - New York
  18. Mega Millions: $197.5 million cash, Nov. 4, 2014 ($326 million annuity) - New York
  19. Powerball: $197.4 million cash, Sep. 30, 2015 ($310.5 million annuity) - Michigan
  20. Mega Millions: $194.4 million cash, Aug. 31, 2007 ($330 million annuity) - Maryland, New Jersey, Texas, Virginia
  21. Mega Millions: $185 million cash, Nov. 15, 2005 ($315 million annuity) - California
  22. The Big Game: $180 million cash, May 9, 2000 ($363 million annuity) - Illinois, Michigan
  23. Mega Millions: $177.3 million cash, Jan. 16, 2015 ($270 million annuity) - Illinois
  24. Powerball: $177.3 million cash, Feb. 18, 2006 ($365 million annuity) - Nebraska
  25. Powerball: $170.5 million cash, Dec. 25, 2002 ($314.9 million annuity) - West Virginia

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

  • Powerball: 13
  • Mega Millions: 11
  • The Big Game: 1

Lottery Post Staff

Comments

MaximumMillions

Magnificent.

IPlayWeekly's avatarIPlayWeekly

Omg that's insane!  I'm in for 50 tickets,  work pool and yes we have document info and copies.

joshuacloak's avatarjoshuacloak

I said before: if this Powerball 3 day run has the same level of sales as the old world record Mega Millions had in 1 draw (the $656 million jackpot) We will be around:

531,900,000 cash
869,100,000 annunity 

Seeing as it's very possible, we will reach that level of sales. How much higher it would go past that is  anyone's guess.

BBLL's avatarBBLL

Yesssssssssssssssss 800 million Party

ieatdirt

It's all speculation but if it's increased $100M in the last day, $1B should easily be met with essentially 2 days left.  The momentum is only building faster.  It's like a stock going parabolic.

Spiritualist

$800 Million That's great!

 

"Anybody that wants to get mellow they can turn around and get the &^%*&^ out of here"

                                                                                                                              Ted Nugent

sully16's avatarsully16

HyperHyperHyperHyperThudMind blowing amount.

gocart1's avatargocart1

Wow..Holy cow  , thats alot of money..Would it be right to say it's going to be 900 Million on Saturday  ???PartyUS FlagParty

rgse90

Todd we have not reached the worlds largest jackpot yet 

 

 

Spain's Sorteo Extraordinario de Navidad (Spanish Christmas Lottery) is generally considered to be the world's largest lottery with the largest first prize/jackpot. In 2012, the first prize was €720 million (US$941.8 million). The total prize pool in 2012 was €2.52 billion (US$3.297 billion).

Albeone

Quote: Originally posted by gocart1 on Jan 8, 2016

Wow..Holy cow  , thats alot of money..Would it be right to say it's going to be 900 Million on Saturday  ???PartyUS FlagParty

$900M for sure. This is ahead of my projections from earlier this week. Definitely will approach the billion dollar mark.

Spiritualist

the  lotter down for "maintenance". 

 

Probably too much traffic!

Todd's avatarTodd

Quote: Originally posted by rgse90 on Jan 8, 2016

Todd we have not reached the worlds largest jackpot yet 

 

 

Spain's Sorteo Extraordinario de Navidad (Spanish Christmas Lottery) is generally considered to be the world's largest lottery with the largest first prize/jackpot. In 2012, the first prize was €720 million (US$941.8 million). The total prize pool in 2012 was €2.52 billion (US$3.297 billion).

You did not read the article.  You really should, because you are incorrect.

That article you linked even contains information that contradicts what you said:

As measured by the total prize payout, the Spanish Christmas Lottery is considered the biggest lottery worldwide.

"Total prize payout" is a prize pool, not a jackpot.  Even the top prize in El Gordo is a prize pool split by hundreds of people, not a jackpot.  And although El Gordo is commonly referred to as a "lottery", it is actually a raffle.

ThatScaryChick's avatarThatScaryChick

This is crazy! Good luck to everyone playing. Jester

ieatdirt

I also noticed the CV has now dropped to 62% of the annuity.  Last time I checked it was more like 64%+

BBLL's avatarBBLL

One winner

One ticket 

 

Hurray! Hyper Party

Raven62's avatarRaven62

Good Chance it'll go to: $1,000,000,000...

Albeone

It's actually went back up slightly from the 61.2 it was at for the 1-6 drawing.

mypiemaster's avatarmypiemaster

C'mon, stop the tease. Just jack the JP up to one billy and get it over with.

dallascowboyfan's avatardallascowboyfan

WOW!!!!! $800 Million White Bounce Dance Banana

dr65's avatardr65

I hope at this rate there are a few winners splitting the pot. One winner would be insane.
I also hope people aren't draining bank accts, life savings or spending money they shouldn't
spend..the odds are horrible but someone will win. For the sake of those already in too deep,
I hope it goes Saturday.
Gl everyone. I will be getting 5 tickets at different places with pp.

Illinoisdreamer

Bought two lines today ,, Thinking of spending $10 on an additional ticket tommorrow morning on way from work


Wont win but you cant win if you dont play and $4-14 isn't going to kill me

crazyjaney

This is insane!!! Good luck everyone!!!

jjtheprince

Quote: Originally posted by dr65 on Jan 8, 2016

I hope at this rate there are a few winners splitting the pot. One winner would be insane.
I also hope people aren't draining bank accts, life savings or spending money they shouldn't
spend..the odds are horrible but someone will win. For the sake of those already in too deep,
I hope it goes Saturday.
Gl everyone. I will be getting 5 tickets at different places with pp.

Yeah you know there are people out there dropping $1,000, $5,000, or even $10,000 on this drawing and they will likely not win.

I bought $16 worth and that was the most I was willing to spend.  I did 5 QP and I wanted to make sure to play trends for 3 tickets.  Back to back number pairs will be picked, guaranteed. 

I hope you are all playing trends too & good luck!

Enigmas

I totally underestimated this jackpot. I had thought it would have capped out 125 million or so ago. Not only is the prize insane, but the attention on the winner(s) will be a total zoo!

crazyjaney

Quote: Originally posted by jjtheprince on Jan 8, 2016

Yeah you know there are people out there dropping $1,000, $5,000, or even $10,000 on this drawing and they will likely not win.

I bought $16 worth and that was the most I was willing to spend.  I did 5 QP and I wanted to make sure to play trends for 3 tickets.  Back to back number pairs will be picked, guaranteed. 

I hope you are all playing trends too & good luck!

I agree. I think we are overdue for a repeat hit. This lottery averages .4 repeaters per drawing and has gone 18 consecutive drawings without a repeat hit!!

winoneday

Wow, there are even line ups at Chinese restaurants. This is crazy!

JADELottery's avatarJADELottery

KY Floyd's avatarKY Floyd

Quote: Originally posted by ieatdirt on Jan 8, 2016

It's all speculation but if it's increased $100M in the last day, $1B should easily be met with essentially 2 days left.  The momentum is only building faster.  It's like a stock going parabolic.

There's obviously a better chance than ever before, but I'll still be surprised if it gets there without a roll.

MUSL obviously couldn't be sure ahead of time how big sales would be, because we're in unknown territory and because the hysteria that drives huge sales has diminished over the last few years. Neither of those invalidates all of the other data they have for making their estimates. I don't know how the pattern of sales varies from one drawing to the next, but MUSL knows. They know that if sales through noon on Thursday for a typical jackpot are $X then total sales by Saturday night will be in some range that's close to $Y. At noon on Friday they've got a bigger portion of sales to use for projection, so the range for Y gets smaller.

I'd guess the only thing they're at all fuzzy on at this point is how many last minute impulse plays there will be. Some people who rarely play or never play will decide at the last minute, and some regular players will decide to buy some  more tickets. Even for that they've got enough data to make an educated guess.

I'm sure they're playing things fairly conservatively, so at this point I'd be surprised if it doesn't at least reach 850, and I won't be surprised if we see 900, but I would be surprised if their current estimate is so conservative or so far off that we see a billion. As of now we're looking at an increase of about $272 million from the final tally for Wednesday's drawing, and it will take an increase of 472 to reach a billion. That's more than a 70% increase over the current prediction.

crazyjaney

Also 4 draws in a row without a neighboring number of adjacent hit.  Very interesting indeed!  Back to looking at the numbers...

surimaribo24's avatarsurimaribo24

keep it going for sure it will reach a billion and let it be millions of winners thats what im talking about

HoLeeKau's avatarHoLeeKau

The Powerball.com website just put up a simple page with the upcoming jackpot amount and the winning numbers from last draw.  I guess they're already getting overwhelmed and are trying to keep the whole site from crashing from people just wanting to know the basic info.  Glad they're being proactive.

mrlottojackpot

Quote: Originally posted by BBLL on Jan 8, 2016

One winner

One ticket 

 

Hurray! Hyper Party

BananaHurray!PartyIm I agree agree completely. i want it so bad to be me.  See Ya!Cool

nist7seven

Quote: Originally posted by HoLeeKau on Jan 8, 2016

The Powerball.com website just put up a simple page with the upcoming jackpot amount and the winning numbers from last draw.  I guess they're already getting overwhelmed and are trying to keep the whole site from crashing from people just wanting to know the basic info.  Glad they're being proactive.

Yeah I saw that and that's what I immediately though. They know this will be one for the record books. 

Couple years ago when they did the last record PB drawing they said they may do it at a special location if this reaches 1billion...so we may see a special televised event on saturday night too. 

I can easily see this reach 900 million as the jackpot...but maybe not quite the billion dollar mark yet....

gocart1's avatargocart1

Quote: Originally posted by Todd on Jan 8, 2016

You did not read the article.  You really should, because you are incorrect.

That article you linked even contains information that contradicts what you said:

As measured by the total prize payout, the Spanish Christmas Lottery is considered the biggest lottery worldwide.

"Total prize payout" is a prize pool, not a jackpot.  Even the top prize in El Gordo is a prize pool split by hundreds of people, not a jackpot.  And although El Gordo is commonly referred to as a "lottery", it is actually a raffle.

Todd,,, If i win can i  get a ride in the corvette

Todd's avatarTodd

Quote: Originally posted by gocart1 on Jan 8, 2016

Todd,,, If i win can i  get a ride in the corvette

Yes! Cool

Prolific-Atom

Everyone is pumped up, Even Uncle Sam is getting his paper works ready. He is not going to buy any tickets but still going to get his share of 25% or 39% depending where u live. How excited will this be if there was no tax . Banana

RedStang's avatarRedStang

If it hits 1 Bill, all the Led signs are going to say 000. All the stores will have to hang up cardboard signs.

MaximumMillions

Quote: Originally posted by RedStang on Jan 8, 2016

If it hits 1 Bill, all the Led signs are going to say 000. All the stores will have to hang up cardboard signs.

They'll probably keep it at 999

Prolific-Atom

At least 5 to 10 1 million winners should come from LP Party

crazyjaney

Quote: Originally posted by Prolific-Atom on Jan 8, 2016

Everyone is pumped up, Even Uncle Sam is getting his paper works ready. He is not going to buy any tickets but still going to get his share of 25% or 39% depending where u live. How excited will this be if there was no tax . Banana

Lol. Yes Uncle Sam is a winner in this. Guaranteed.  Rofl!!!!

NoCompLotto!

In Michigan, since the game redesign, the signs (billboards) can now be flipped from "M"illion to "B"illion. I noticed it for the first time when I went back home over the holidays, and thought it was crazy that they would even think about doing that. Not so much anymore.

crazyjaney

Quote: Originally posted by Prolific-Atom on Jan 8, 2016

At least 5 to 10 1 million winners should come from LP Party

Please please Lord Make it so!!! :-).  I want LP to clean house on this one!

RedStang's avatarRedStang

Quote: Originally posted by NoCompLotto! on Jan 8, 2016

In Michigan, since the game redesign, the signs (billboards) can now be flipped from "M"illion to "B"illion. I noticed it for the first time when I went back home over the holidays, and thought it was crazy that they would even think about doing that. Not so much anymore.

I'm curious to see what it looks like. I don't think they can add a dot between the numbers, so if it's 1.2 bill the sign will probably say 12 bill. lol

Prolific-Atom

Quote: Originally posted by crazyjaney on Jan 8, 2016

Please please Lord Make it so!!! :-).  I want LP to clean house on this one!

Yes its time to get paid. And if i win my family will probably  need a restraining order to get me out of the house LOL. Because am going to hibernation until the coast is clear.

bsdme

Yahoooo !!!!... Keep going baby !!!Hyper

jjtheprince

Quote: Originally posted by crazyjaney on Jan 8, 2016

Please please Lord Make it so!!! :-).  I want LP to clean house on this one!

Yeah it would be great to see any of us win something significant especially considering we make up maybe 0.0000001% of the total pool of players lol

Get paid's avatarGet paid

Alright my lottery post peeps,lets do this.Good Luck.

lejardin's avatarlejardin

Ran some errands, got some gas, the clerk said sales are nuts, but not for gas lol.  He said "everyone is buying PB, including me, I bought one!"

The grocery store had a line and people buying $20+ worth and more.  People were talking about what they would buy, one said "Oh I wont buy a huge house, just a modest one".  Now I thought, with this kind of money, you would buy a modest home?

Now I have been having my own dreams on what this would be like, and what I would do and I can assure my new place would not be modest lol.  This is such fun.

After what I have seen, the $$ being spent, the number of purchases and the lines with still a whole day and a half left to go, this WILL get to a BILLION.  And this is just my town I see.

LottoLucy's avatarLottoLucy

Quote: Originally posted by lejardin on Jan 8, 2016

Ran some errands, got some gas, the clerk said sales are nuts, but not for gas lol.  He said "everyone is buying PB, including me, I bought one!"

The grocery store had a line and people buying $20+ worth and more.  People were talking about what they would buy, one said "Oh I wont buy a huge house, just a modest one".  Now I thought, with this kind of money, you would buy a modest home?

Now I have been having my own dreams on what this would be like, and what I would do and I can assure my new place would not be modest lol.  This is such fun.

After what I have seen, the $$ being spent, the number of purchases and the lines with still a whole day and a half left to go, this WILL get to a BILLION.  And this is just my town I see.

Keep in mind 'modest' is in the eye of the beholder.  My 11,000 sq foot home might be considered modest to someone in a 22,000 sq ft home.  Of course anyone with an 11,000 sq ft home probably thinks of my current  fairly nice suburban home as a shanty!  Smile

VenomV12

Yeah, this is definitely hitting a billion, this is insane. I'm still only playing $10 worth. 

Bleedblue21's avatarBleedblue21

Wowzers...guess I better start getting my financial team in place !!!  This is crazy to potentially be a part of a $1 BILLION lottery....I love history !!!

MaximumMillions

This jackpot really came out of nowhere, and in such a short time no less.

Suzy-Dittlenose

Quote: Originally posted by Prolific-Atom on Jan 8, 2016

Everyone is pumped up, Even Uncle Sam is getting his paper works ready. He is not going to buy any tickets but still going to get his share of 25% or 39% depending where u live. How excited will this be if there was no tax . Banana

That's how it should be, no tax.  When I go to the County Fair and win a giant stuffed teddy bear I don't expect it to have missing limbs, ears, or eyes.  I expect the whole thing intact.  Lotteries should be the same....NO TAX on winnings!

lejardin's avatarlejardin

Quote: Originally posted by LottoLucy on Jan 8, 2016

Keep in mind 'modest' is in the eye of the beholder.  My 11,000 sq foot home might be considered modest to someone in a 22,000 sq ft home.  Of course anyone with an 11,000 sq ft home probably thinks of my current  fairly nice suburban home as a shanty!  Smile

You are very correct LottoLucy, I didnt consider that.  My idea of a modest home is completely different from you or the next person!

Certainly would like that chance to get a 11,000 sq. ft. shanty hahahahahaha.

Good Luck !

sully16's avatarsully16

Quote: Originally posted by jjtheprince on Jan 8, 2016

Yeah it would be great to see any of us win something significant especially considering we make up maybe 0.0000001% of the total pool of players lol

Hyper Piece of cake, Livonia Michigan on tap. Cheers

MaximumMillions

Is it true that New Jersey has a special lottery tax of ~10%? It's not on usamega.com

Drenick1's avatarDrenick1

Quote: Originally posted by surimaribo24 on Jan 8, 2016

keep it going for sure it will reach a billion and let it be millions of winners thats what im talking about

If it does reach a billion and your wish of millions (10million) of jackpot winners comes true then it would be awesome to see them each get a $100 grand prize paid out over 30-years.....woohoo!!

Drenick1's avatarDrenick1

Quote: Originally posted by Prolific-Atom on Jan 8, 2016

Everyone is pumped up, Even Uncle Sam is getting his paper works ready. He is not going to buy any tickets but still going to get his share of 25% or 39% depending where u live. How excited will this be if there was no tax . Banana

Uncle Sam will get his share at 39.6% as the initial 25% is just a down payment. Must be nice to be able to pocket several hundred million and not even buying a ticket. The states that charge an income tax won't do so bad either as my state of NC will get almost $29 million if the sole ticket is purchased here Wink

MaximumMillions

Quote: Originally posted by Drenick1 on Jan 8, 2016

If it does reach a billion and your wish of millions (10million) of jackpot winners comes true then it would be awesome to see them each get a $100 grand prize paid out over 30-years.....woohoo!!

You are truly evil to speak this into existence.Red DevilHit With StickWink

mrlottojackpot

I thought it was a flat %25 for gamblers tax as it says on the irs website. I never mentions that it would also count as income tax. Its says if your a professional gambler then you have to file winnings under income and not gambling winnings. I could be wrong but my financial team will fill me in on the rest. but even after 39.6% federal, 5.92% state, and 2.25% city tax. so 45.07% plus attorney and lawyer fees at $260,000,000 plus take home I am golden.

THRIFTY's avatarTHRIFTY

01-19-37-62-65 + 13
16-17-31-54-61 + 01
01-21-22-40-60 + 06
08-11-29-33-54 + 15
08-29-34-44-66 + 06
02-07-17-37-56 + 19
08-17-34-43-54 + 15
17-18-37-40-51 + 12
11-13-14-31-34 + 16
19-24-47-68-69 + 22
10-15-17-24-50 + 05
03-28-46-54-56 + 02
22-25-30-49-57 + 18
02-09-37-55-59 + 13
17-28-46-59-63 + 18
06-17-19-54-68 + 10
10-12-25-43-54 + 11
07-14-16-38-56 + 07
24-30-55-58-67 + 01
31-40-41-51-65 + 21
10-33-44-46-47 + 07
07-14-38-48-50 + 23
12-26-54-61-66 + 24
11-21-36-46-48 + 11
26-32-41-53-54 + 06
03-34-47-51-64 + 26
13-20-29-34-68 + 25
06-11-16-18-51 + 01
12-14-23-28-33 + 20
01-08-16-49-55 + 20
05-14-21-39-51 + 16
03-21-52-59-61 + 05
06-14-26-32-45 + 12
15-23-24-45-52 + 24
20-23-27-37-68 + 21
20-29-33-46-51 + 04
06-28-31-59-60 + 21
01-11-16-30-37 + 24
22-52-57-58-62 + 11
29-33-46-61-63 + 07
06-07-16-17-32 + 24
01-22-45-58-64 + 11
01-16-25-33-34 + 03
10-22-25-49-56 + 10
02-19-25-37-43 + 19
06-30-53-57-61 + 26
01-08-12-50-56 + 03
01-08-28-35-66 + 18
03-12-16-26-41 + 25
04-17-33-60-65 + 20

Guru101's avatarGuru101

This is really exciting, I just hope this doesn't lead to Mega Millions going to $2 a ticket.

Arrowhead's avatarArrowhead

Without doing any research, just working from memory of winners' stories, willing to bet a ticket the vast majority---probably 80-90%---of those top 25 (and probably next 25) all-time prize amounts were won with quick picks.

No strategy, no boxing, no 'lucky numbers', just machine-generated randomness.

Dd2160's avatarDd2160

Wow!!! I only need 2 million out of the 800M!

Would be sweet!!

maximumfun's avatarmaximumfun

Quote: Originally posted by MaximumMillions on Jan 8, 2016

This jackpot really came out of nowhere, and in such a short time no less.

I Agree!

Drenick1's avatarDrenick1

Good luck Thrifty if you indeed bought that many tickets. The few tickets that I bought will allow me to fantasize until I come back to reality Sunday morning.

JustByLuck

  Hi All,

     First time poster, long time lurker. $800 million is just mind blowing. Strangely though, I have not seen the expected long lines at gas stations or self check terminals, in my city. Hmmmm. However, I bought a few tickets. Good luck to us all.

jacintasc

Sorry, I have bad news. Ellen just gave her entire studio audience today Powerball tickets. So if one of those people don't win. Ellen will! The rich only get richer! Heck, I wouldn't be surprised if one of those Kardashians win it.

Dd2160's avatarDd2160

It better not be a winner from out this country... Online betting that would be jacked up??

Bilionario's avatarBilionario

Quote: Originally posted by jacintasc on Jan 8, 2016

Sorry, I have bad news. Ellen just gave her entire studio audience today Powerball tickets. So if one of those people don't win. Ellen will! The rich only get richer! Heck, I wouldn't be surprised if one of those Kardashians win it.

I expect a "foreign" ticket to win or at least be part of multiple winners...watch this space.Wink

Dd2160's avatarDd2160

I hope its like 20 winners not just 1!

That money split 20 ways will do many families plenty good!

I dont have a ticket yet but I will buy 1 with play!

MaximumMillions

Quote: Originally posted by Dd2160 on Jan 8, 2016

It better not be a winner from out this country... Online betting that would be jacked up??

If you buy the ticket you are in.

Erzulieredeyes's avatarErzulieredeyes

I caved and purchased $80 tickets for myself and pitched in $10 in my pool at work. Haven't spent $ like this since Powerball went from $1 to $2. My normal purchase since the $2 change was only $2 - 4 on tickets after $200M jackpot.  I think I might wager another $10 tomorrow.

It will hit tomorrow with multiple winners, no way the government will allow the lotteries to award ONE person all of this money.

Dd2160's avatarDd2160

Quote: Originally posted by THRIFTY on Jan 8, 2016

01-19-37-62-65 + 13
16-17-31-54-61 + 01
01-21-22-40-60 + 06
08-11-29-33-54 + 15
08-29-34-44-66 + 06
02-07-17-37-56 + 19
08-17-34-43-54 + 15
17-18-37-40-51 + 12
11-13-14-31-34 + 16
19-24-47-68-69 + 22
10-15-17-24-50 + 05
03-28-46-54-56 + 02
22-25-30-49-57 + 18
02-09-37-55-59 + 13
17-28-46-59-63 + 18
06-17-19-54-68 + 10
10-12-25-43-54 + 11
07-14-16-38-56 + 07
24-30-55-58-67 + 01
31-40-41-51-65 + 21
10-33-44-46-47 + 07
07-14-38-48-50 + 23
12-26-54-61-66 + 24
11-21-36-46-48 + 11
26-32-41-53-54 + 06
03-34-47-51-64 + 26
13-20-29-34-68 + 25
06-11-16-18-51 + 01
12-14-23-28-33 + 20
01-08-16-49-55 + 20
05-14-21-39-51 + 16
03-21-52-59-61 + 05
06-14-26-32-45 + 12
15-23-24-45-52 + 24
20-23-27-37-68 + 21
20-29-33-46-51 + 04
06-28-31-59-60 + 21
01-11-16-30-37 + 24
22-52-57-58-62 + 11
29-33-46-61-63 + 07
06-07-16-17-32 + 24
01-22-45-58-64 + 11
01-16-25-33-34 + 03
10-22-25-49-56 + 10
02-19-25-37-43 + 19
06-30-53-57-61 + 26
01-08-12-50-56 + 03
01-08-28-35-66 + 18
03-12-16-26-41 + 25
04-17-33-60-65 + 20

You bought all those numbers?

Erzulieredeyes's avatarErzulieredeyes

Quote: Originally posted by Dd2160 on Jan 8, 2016

It better not be a winner from out this country... Online betting that would be jacked up??

lol that would be really messed up but funny...lol

Dd2160's avatarDd2160

Quote: Originally posted by MaximumMillions on Jan 8, 2016

If you buy the ticket you are in.

Wow i hope it select one in the states!

pa ny nj are good picks mr computer man!!

BBLL's avatarBBLL

Quote: Originally posted by Dd2160 on Jan 8, 2016

I hope its like 20 winners not just 1!

That money split 20 ways will do many families plenty good!

I dont have a ticket yet but I will buy 1 with play!

One winner

One ticket 

 

 

Cheers

Dd2160's avatarDd2160

The odds are 292,201,393 .... Flipping really!!!

MaximumMillions

Quote: Originally posted by Dd2160 on Jan 8, 2016

Wow i hope it select one in the states!

pa ny nj are good picks mr computer man!!

You go on and do that.

Please film your reaction if it's not the case.

 

Dd2160's avatarDd2160

Quote: Originally posted by MaximumMillions on Jan 8, 2016

You go on and do that.

Please film your reaction if it's not the case.

 

Lol!!

whiteballz's avatarwhiteballz

Quote: Originally posted by Erzulieredeyes on Jan 8, 2016

I caved and purchased $80 tickets for myself and pitched in $10 in my pool at work. Haven't spent $ like this since Powerball went from $1 to $2. My normal purchase since the $2 change was only $2 - 4 on tickets after $200M jackpot.  I think I might wager another $10 tomorrow.

It will hit tomorrow with multiple winners, no way the government will allow the lotteries to award ONE person all of this money.

Why not? The IRS will get paid 39.6% in federal income tax if the jackpot is won by a single person or many people.

BBLL's avatarBBLL

I'm not worried about the irs

lcoleman

Quote: Originally posted by mrlottojackpot on Jan 8, 2016

I thought it was a flat %25 for gamblers tax as it says on the irs website. I never mentions that it would also count as income tax. Its says if your a professional gambler then you have to file winnings under income and not gambling winnings. I could be wrong but my financial team will fill me in on the rest. but even after 39.6% federal, 5.92% state, and 2.25% city tax. so 45.07% plus attorney and lawyer fees at $260,000,000 plus take home I am golden.

You're joking 45.07%? I only have to pay the 39.6%, if anyone wins let me turn in the tix under a contract by you that your lawyer will draw up. Money goes into a blind trust. Let me get to keep 50% of the 39+ mill that will go straight to uncle sam if you turn in the tix yourself. That way I get the publicity too so you don't have to deal with it. BOOM haha

Deeyar948

Good time to slip out the backdoor unnoticed with winning the mega millions jackpot tonigt

Romancandle's avatarRomancandle

Quote: Originally posted by Deeyar948 on Jan 8, 2016

Good time to slip out the backdoor unnoticed with winning the mega millions jackpot tonigt

You got that right... MM isn't exactly chump change tonight...

Wow, PB JP is rising something scary fast...

Finally saw the lines tonight... folks have the fever Drum

larry3100's avatarlarry3100

This Powerball lottery is insane. I'm in. One Powerball lottery ticket please!

Kyle7824's avatarKyle7824

Quote: Originally posted by jacintasc on Jan 8, 2016

Sorry, I have bad news. Ellen just gave her entire studio audience today Powerball tickets. So if one of those people don't win. Ellen will! The rich only get richer! Heck, I wouldn't be surprised if one of those Kardashians win it.

I bet these are all QP that is a bad way to play....

Suzy-Dittlenose

Quote: Originally posted by Erzulieredeyes on Jan 8, 2016

I caved and purchased $80 tickets for myself and pitched in $10 in my pool at work. Haven't spent $ like this since Powerball went from $1 to $2. My normal purchase since the $2 change was only $2 - 4 on tickets after $200M jackpot.  I think I might wager another $10 tomorrow.

It will hit tomorrow with multiple winners, no way the government will allow the lotteries to award ONE person all of this money.

I can just see Obama or socialist Senator Bernie Sanders making a comment like "a billion dollar jackpot?  That's too much money for one person.  We're going to have to change the rules" and then claim afterwards that it's good for America.

Thumbs Down

Gleno's avatarGleno

01/08/16

It's "crap on a cracker"  if you don't win more than $20.00 on your $2.00 bet; but a whole load of dung if you hit the big jackpot.Big Smile

Just think of all the new friends you will automatically acquire, not to mention long lost family members. Big Smile

We got to love these jackpots that are so "pie in the sky"  that everyone gets so excited, even the Media is in on this issue!Big Smile

but it's the average daily player that makes it possible by playing when the jackpot is at the lowest amount. Razz

Good Luck to the average player. Drum

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