UPDATE: Mega Millions raised to $393 million, new combined total is $749 million
First time Powerball and Mega Millions jackpots simultaneously more than $300 million
Both are top 25 US lottery jackpots
by Todd Northrop
Multi-state lottery tickets are pumping out of state lottery ticket machines throughout the United States this week, as both Powerball and Mega Millions have simultaneously reached astronomic heights.
After nobody won Mega Millions on Tuesday and Powerball on Wednesday, the Mega Millions jackpot increased to $382 million, while Powerball leaped to $356 million. The lump-sum cash options are $238.3 million and $224 million, respectively.
UPDATE Aug. 10, 1:50 p.m. On Thursday afternoon the Mega Millions consortium raised the estimated Friday jackpot to $393 million, with a cash value of $246.5 million. That makes the combined value of Mega Millions and Powerball this week $749 million, and raises the Friday Mega Millions jackpot to the 17th-largest of all time. The jackpot amounts in the remainder of this article will reflect the new jackpot amounts.
Lottery players are witnessing an event that has never happened before. It is the first time in history that these two mega jackpot games have synchronized their jackpot rollovers such that they both are above the $300 million mark.
We went back and checked.
The last time it got this close was about a year ago, when a $536 million Mega Millions jackpot was hit on Fri., Jul. 8, 2016, and the next Powerball roll on the following Wed. brought that game's jackpot cresting above $300 million, to $311 million. A near miss.
In fact, excluding the time Powerball reached $1.6 billion in Jan. 2016, there is only one other time in history when the two multi-state jackpots linked fortunes and put such a large combined prize up for grabs. In May 2013, Mega Millions' $190 million jackpot synced up with Powerball's $590.5 million grand prize to form a combined $780.5 million fortune.
If history is a guide, run out and buy tickets this week, because both games had their jackpots won that drawing. The Mega Millions jackpot was split by two tickets purchased in New Jersey and Virginia, and the Powerball jackpot was won by one ticket sold in Florida, claimed by Gloria MacKenzie, 84, of Zephyrhills.
Will that happen this time around? We're not sure, but whatever happens we're in record-setting territory.
Both jackpots are currently in the top 25 all-time US lottery jackpot list — both for the annuity value and the cash value. The complete top 25 lists can be found below.
After the two games were not won Tuesday and Wednesday, both increased their jackpots by roughly $32 million — at least cursory evidence that people are buying tickets for both games at their lottery retailers. So many tickets were being sold that by draw time both games had raised their jackpots significantly: Mega Millions to $350 million and Powerball to $323.5 million.
Lottery players wanting to see what their take-home loot would be for this week's drawings (after initial taxes are withheld) can check out the Jackpot Analysis for Mega Millions and Jackpot Analysis for Powerball pages at USA Mega.
Both games offer a multiplier feature ("Megaplier" for Mega Millions and "Power Play" for Powerball) that can be purchased for an extra $1 per play. Players who purchase the multiplier can have their winning non-jackpot prizes multiplied by the random multiplier number drawn that evening. A nice way to console yourself after someone else wins your jackpot.
Multipliers are available in all states offering the games except California, which bans the type of fixed prize payouts awarded by multipliers.
Mega Millions drawings are held every Tuesday and Friday evening at 11:00 PM Eastern Time (8:00 PM Pacific Time), and Powerball drawings are held Wednesday and Saturday evenings at 10:59 PM Eastern Time (7:59 PM Pacific Time).
Players looking for a nearby lottery retailer are encouraged to use Lottery Places, an app for iOS, Android, and Windows that can located the nearest lottery retailers anywhere in the United States, Mexico, much of Canada, and the Caribbean.
The winning numbers for both games are published minutes after the drawing at USA Mega (www.usamega.com), home of the USA's two mega jackpot games.
Top 25 United States lottery jackpots of all time
The current Mega Millions and Powerball jackpots currently stand as the 18th- and 22nd-largest lottery jackpots of all time in the United States. Both positions 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 - 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: $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 - Preliminary estimate, not won yet
- 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: $356 million, Aug. 12, 2017 - Preliminary estimate, not won yet
- 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.
The upcoming Mega Millions and Powerball jackpots rank as the 15th- and 20th-largest cash values 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: $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) - Preliminary estimate, not won yet
- 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: $224 million cash, Aug. 12, 2017 ($356 million annuity) - Preliminary estimate, not won yet
- 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
The media wasn't wrong and Todd proved me right. This is the first time they've both been at least $300 million simultaneously. Pay attention to detail as they used to say in the U.S. Army.
Todd and LP made my day, scrolled on down to see the top 25 jackpots, my favorite posts!
Time for the ticket buying frenzy to start. If they both roll this weekend then they both will probably exceed $400M.
I predict four members on this site will hit both however not sure how much. , I'm just surprised that I thought there was going to be a winning ticket last night and I was wrong
Now will look for a live feed from that Primm, CA lotto store; those poor Nevadans and no lottery. Ironic their Constitution forbids them...no brainer who is behind that!!
Story updated, Mega Millions raised to $393 million!
Just bought some MM at lunch.
I went to buy some tickets this morning but they ran out of tape. The guy there was filling in and could not find the new roll to replace it. He certainly put the effort into looking for it. So, hopefully, I can get to a store tomorrow AM.
Gimme both!!
Or find a different store!
Don't forget, the easiest way to find nearby lottery retailers no matter where you live is to install the Lottery Places app on your phone or Windows 10 computer.
www.lotteryplaces.com
I'm not sure if i am. I barely do.But, good luck to you. Love my wins with other better odds games ya know.
But, i wish you luck, this is alot of dough.I hope more than "1" person win.More/enough to go around for dozens per state.
Thank You to Todd Northrop and the Lottery Post Staff. I believe they were all hoping and planning for a day like today.
What does the future hold for everyone? Mega Millions and Power Ball are unpredictable and fun to play. Keep dreaming!
Here's what's going to be the problem this weekend. As everyone knows which goes off which night. The average person who was not familiar with this website but goes on and he State Lottery site won't be familiar with which one confusion.
That is one problem and the way the media is. People aren't informed correctly about hot win these games.
Plenty of time to toss in another $7 million or so!
Hopefully the article spells it out for the average non-lottery player.
If the ticket buying frenzy continues, the Mega Millions jackpot may go over $400 mil.
I usually buy one or two tickets per drawing. I might just buy five for Friday's draw.
Let the good times roll!
I already bought one ticket 4 tomorrow night's MM
might go get another tomorrow afternoon
Time to roll my teal and the black Ottoballs to pick the lucky numbers.
Good luck to all players!!!
This is family generational changing wealth. I hope and pray that winners are smart with it. There is a tax on STUPID!
I saw that oregon had a million dollar winner in powerball too bad it was not me but I bought powerplay going for the $2 million myself.-weshar75
I think it will go to $398 and if no winners it goes to $460? $475 ? $500.?? This might tie the record. Pb not sure yet.
That doesn't worry me. What makes me laugh is how many people fight over the machines and wait the very last minute.
Yes def.
.
But Mr./Ms. Hearsetrax,
Don't you think you should invest at least a few more dollars for each game?
I mean just two tickets for MM?
Anyway, I truly wish you and everyone here on Lotto Post good luck.
Mr. Groppo
$$$$$$
I'm ready!
The more than $7 million in PA Taxes is "paying it forward" IMHO!
good luck all, have fun :)
Way to go Good Morning America...Mega Millions jackpot is NOT $382 million. This was just on 3 minutes ago.
Mega Millions sure likes Palindromes: 393.
Thanks.
We only play MM.
But, my Ex plays PB, too.
Our luck, she'd win it.
One....single....winner!!!!!
Hopefully me.
No lines at the lottery retailer that I use ...... and it is in the top 25 lottery retailers in PA! Our population is only 4,200!
I got one extra ticket for tonight!
Good luck to all! My destination should a 6-number match happen...
Nice!
I have had multiple dreams of winning the lottery but still haven't won big. Good luck everyone!
I just hope somebody, somewhere wins so the insanity stops.
If there is no winner tonight, it will go up to $444 million on Tuesday.
Good luck to all!!!
That's a healthy increase.
But with lotto fever, and especially if PB rolls, too, I think it will be bumped up past $444 million.
Odds of winning both are 1 in 75 quadrillion, that 75 + 17 zero's.
If that happens, I bet someone here will complain about mechanical drawings being rigged and we need to go to RNG.
Should I hit either of these bad boys - she gets the pearls, and then we going dancing.
Bora Bora, Tahiti . Now that's a welcoming picture.
In the words of Gandalf the white.
End? the journey does not end here..retirement is just another path one that we all must take, the grey rain curtain of this world rolls back and it all turns to silver glass, and then you see it..
Pippin: Gandalf see what?
White shores, and a far green country..
I'm surprised they haven't raised the estimate to $400 million annuity to hype the game more. Some may be thinking there's direct financial risk in overstating the jackpot, but from all indications there isn't...
Back in 2013, they raised the Powerball jackpot estimate to a round $600 million annuity, but the winner received less; $590 million annuity. About $6 million cash value difference. Shame, the consortium didn't cover the relatively small sum and pay the full advertised amount. Unlike many in-state lottery jackpot games, Mega Millions and Powerball advertised jackpot amounts are not guaranteed; not always paid out.
Some may think, well it's only an estimate, so one should expect to be paid the full amount, if sales come up short. However, much lottery advertising has estimate in superfine print, or worse, doesn't mention the word estimate anywhere.
Don't believe it? Browse various official lottery websites for numerous examples of omission.
http://nylottery.ny.gov/ "NEXT DRAWING : 08/11/2017 NEXT JACKPOT: $393 MILLION" No mention of "estimate"
https://www.ohiolottery.com/ "Next Est. Jackpot : $393 Million" Ok, "Est." is there. However, for Powerball, it's not: "Next Jackpot : $356 Million"
http://www.illinoislottery.com/en-us/home.html The promotional pop-up includes "estimate", but the regular page doesn't. "Jackpot: $393,000,000"
Print and other advertising isn't much better. While this may seem nitpicking, faulty estimates cheat players. For the vast, vast majority, it doesn't matter. However, for the extremely few players who are aware of the underpaid 2013 $590 million annuity Florida winner, they're skeptical of the advertised jackpot amount. Maybe I'm a 1 in 10 million or whatever who even cares, but I do and wager accordingly...
I figure the only MM / PB jackpot estimate one can rely on is the previous one prior to rollover, and then add some to that. For example, $346 million annuity was the previous advertised amount for Mega Millions. So $380 million annuity or so is likely a safe estimate based on recent, previous sales.
Personally, I'm sitting this one out. I played several dollars the past draw, but missed nearly every number. It reminded me why I rarely play PB nor MM. If it rolls over to well over $500 million annuity, may give it another go. Most of my jackpot wagering is on in-state games that payout the full advertised amount.
I had a dream some time ago that I won the "jackpot" ............. then I woke up LOL!
I know we have Hoosier members on LP; just can't remember who. Stay tuned.
Anyway Buffalo Gold was just that...$20 in $800 out. Stopped to play Hoosier Lotto, Megamillions with Megaplier and Powerball with Powerplay. Indiana still holds the record for most PB jackpot wins out of all the states, including VI, PR and Trumpland DC.
.
Trumpland? Way you git dat Trumpland frum?
DC always been DC and always weeo. Aint nuttin' gonna change dat.
Checking in from the Northern Part of Indiana!
And if PB rolls tomorrow night, it goes up to $430 million or a lump sum of $273,400,000 or $165,133,600 after full federal taxes.
At this rate, PB will surpass MM.
That's called a "Groundhog day jackpot" dream.
Goes to show the Powerball $2 base price, despite all the negatives, does help grow jackpots quicker than MM. Rollovers are growing slower than they used to, regardless. Be interesting to see how MM doubled to $2 does. A risk, though albeit small, after the matrix change, is MM is frequently hit at or near the base jackpot amount causing losses. Though, again, highly unlikely. But it would serve the lottery consortium right for giving players even less hope of winning anything.
Anyways, main reason for posting is, despite being soured on the MM game, is I did good on instant tickets so I bought $10 worth of MM with Megaplier (14X more likely of hitting 2nd place; lower prizes multiplied 2X or more with 5X most likely to be chosen; unfortunately the new matrix will change that).
In short, I'm IN ... now to figure out what I should buy first. Decisions, decisions ... tough being a millionaire. Oh, state of PA profits more too, since lottery winnings are no longer in-state tax exempt. Another 3.07% lopped off. Might have to forego that second mansion
Illinois takes down the first one!
Booooooo! Boooooo!
But, will Illinois have the money to pay???
Thanks toronto for info. on location!!!!!!!!!
From the Illinois lottery website;
FRIDAY AUGUST 11, 2017
WINNING TICKET SOLD IN: IL
NICKS BARBECUE
12658 S HARLEM AVE
PALOS HEIGHTS/60463
The Mega Millions website also said there were three 5 + 0 winners, one had played the Megaplier....it was 5X.
Last year, after someone won the $500 plus million dollar MM jackpot, it was won again 2 draws later. That winner took home $25 million. Then on the next draw, 2 people split a $15 million dollar jackpot. So. in July 2016 there were 3 jackpots.
One jackpot winner for mega millions in Illinois dam I thought they stop selling tickets there oh well lucky one
In California, someone won the second prize but it was only $550k. Normally, it would have been less than a $100k. So, lots of tickets being sold. But with the jp back down to $15 mil, the second prize will go back to being a pittance, too.
When I first seen Illinois had the winner that was my first thought. Can they pay, lol???
I think I had heard that they stopped selling Powerball and Mega tickets for 4 days and lost 4 million during that time frame.
should be interesting to see how this is going to pan out
Thinking that all those dollars people would use to buy MM will now go to buying PB.