$1 BILLION MEGA MILLIONS LOTTERY DRAWING TONIGHT

Oct 19, 2018, 12:02 pm (210 comments)

Mega Millions

Mega Millions jackpot could crown first lottery billionaire

$1 billion jackpot outgrows most billboards

By Todd Northrop

For the third time in three days, lottery officials have been forced to raise the multi-state Mega Millions lottery jackpot due to a torrent of lottery ticket sales for the $1 BILLION jackpot drawing tonight.

If one ticket wins that prize, it would mark the first time in world history that someone became a billionaire lottery winner. One of the wealthiest people on the planet from a $2 lottery ticket!

Mega Millions offers two jackpot payment options: the $1 billion jackpot prize paid over 29 years in 30 graduated payments; or the cash option, which is now estimated at $565.6 million.

And that may not be as big as it gets. We typically learn the final Mega Millions jackpot tally the day after the drawing.

Want to see how much take-home money the big winner would get after taxes are initially withheld? Check out USA Mega's Mega Millions Jackpot Analysis page, a state-by-state analysis that shows both the annuity and cash payouts after federal and state taxes are withheld, as well as the year-by-year annuity payout schedule would be for your state.

"This is truly uncharted territory, and it's exciting to see people across the country buying their tickets and joining in the fun," said Gordon Medenica, Mega Millions Lead Director and the Director of Maryland Lottery and Gaming. "Hitting the $1 billion mark for the first time is historic, and we can't wait to meet the winner s who will share in that history."

Anyone looking to play Mega Millions in tonight's drawing and has not yet purchased their tickets should not hesitate to get to the store right away. Some lottery retailers are reporting pandemonium in the rush for Mega Millions lottery tickets.

The Massachusetts Lottery is reporting that they are selling 5,000 Mega Millions tickets per minute.

If you're not sure where to buy your tickets, head right over to the Lottery Places website to download the free app on your iOS or Android phone or Windows computer. Lottery Places is the only app on the market that will locate lottery retailers in every state and jurisdiction throughout the United States.

Michigan lottery players can bypass the store completely and buy their Mega Millions lottery tickets online.  Players outside the USA can try their luck with a reputable butler service, but time is quickly running out to get on board.

Friday's jackpot started at $40 million on July 27, and is the result of 24 drawings with no jackpot winner.

When nobody won the jackpot on Tuesday night, the initial estimate for Friday's drawing was established at $868 million, the game's all-time high. Less than 12 hours later, that estimate was raised to $900 million. Less than 24 hours after that, lottery officials again raised the official estimate to $970 million. And now, 24 hours later, they raised it once again to $1 billion.

Due to the overwhelming demand to see the winning numbers tonight after the drawing, players are advised to first check USA Mega (www.usamega.com) because that website is more likely than most to be up and running. The crush of players checking their numbers all at once will completely disable most other websites.

Whether you play Mega Millions alone or with a group, don't be that one person who didn't win because they didn't play.

Mega Millions jackpots start at $40 million and roll until the jackpot is won. Players win the jackpot by matching five numbers from a field of 70 numbers and one Mega Millions number from a field of 25 numbers. Drawings are conducted each Tuesday and Friday at 11:00 pm Eastern Time (8:00 Pacific Time).

Combined with Saturday night's $430 million Powerball jackpot (now raised to $470 million!), players have around $1.5 billion in lottery jackpots to play for this week. So if you don't win tonight, at least you get another shot at glory tomorrow night.

All information about game rules, past drawings, statistics, news, and more can be found at USA Mega (www.usamega.com).  The USA Mega Web site provides lottery players in-depth information about the United States' two biggest multi-state lottery games, Mega Millions and Powerball.

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.

Top 25 United States lottery jackpots of all time

Want to be a billionaire? Friday's Mega Millions jackpot currently stands as the 2nd-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.

  1. Powerball: $1.5864 billion, Jan. 13, 2016 - California, Florida, Tennessee
  2. Mega Millions: $1 billion, Oct. 19, 2018 - Preliminary estimate, not won yet
  3. Powerball: $758.7 million, Aug. 23, 2017 - Massachusetts
  4. Mega Millions: $656 million, Mar. 30, 2012 - Illinois, Kansas, Maryland
  5. Mega Millions: $636 million, Dec. 17, 2013 - California, Georgia
  6. Powerball: $590.5 million, May 18, 2013 - Florida
  7. Powerball: $587.5 million, Nov. 28, 2012 - Arizona, Missouri
  8. Powerball: $564.1 million, Feb. 11, 2015 - North Carolina, Puerto Rico, Texas
  9. Powerball: $559.7 million, Jan. 6, 2018 - New Hampshire
  10. Mega Millions: $543 million, Jul. 24, 2018 - California
  11. Mega Millions: $536 million, Jul. 8, 2016 - Indiana
  12. Mega Millions: $533 million, Mar. 30, 2018 - New Jersey
  13. Powerball: $487 million, Jul. 30, 2016 - New Hampshire
  14. Powerball: $470 million, Oct. 20, 2018 - Preliminary estimate, not won yet
  15. Powerball: $456.7 million, Mar. 17, 2018 - Pennsylvania
  16. Mega Millions: $451 million, Jan. 5, 2018 - Florida
  17. Powerball: $448.4 million, Aug. 7, 2013 - Minnesota, New Jersey (2)
  18. Powerball: $447.8 million, Jun. 10, 2017 - California
  19. Powerball: $435.3 million, Feb. 22, 2017 - Indiana
  20. Powerball: $429.6 million, May 7, 2016 - New Jersey
  21. Powerball: $425.3 million, Feb. 19, 2014 - California
  22. Powerball: $420.9 million, Nov. 26, 2016 - Tennessee
  23. Mega Millions: $414 million, Mar. 18, 2014 - Florida, Maryland
  24. Powerball: $399.4 million, Sep. 18, 2013 - South Carolina
  25. Mega Millions: $393 million, Aug. 11, 2017 - Illinois

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 2nd-largest cash value in world history.

  1. Powerball: $983.5 million cash, Jan. 13, 2016 ($1.5864 billion annuity) - California, Florida, Tennessee
  2. Mega Millions: $565.6 million cash, Oct. 19, 2018 ($1 billion annuity) - Preliminary estimate, not won yet
  3. Powerball: $480.5 million cash, Aug. 23, 2017 ($758.7 million annuity) - Massachusetts
  4. Mega Millions: $471 million cash, Mar. 30, 2012 ($656 million annuity) - Illinois, Kansas, Maryland
  5. Powerball: $384.7 million cash, Nov. 28, 2012 ($587.5 million annuity) - Arizona, Missouri
  6. Powerball: $381.1 million cash, Feb. 11, 2015 ($564.1 million annuity) - North Carolina, Puerto Rico, Texas
  7. Mega Millions: $378 million cash, Jul. 8, 2016 ($536 million annuity) - Indiana
  8. Powerball: $370.9 million cash, May 18, 2013 ($590.5 million annuity) - Florida
  9. Powerball: $352 million cash, Jan. 6, 2018 ($559.7 million annuity) - New Hampshire
  10. Mega Millions: $347.6 million cash, Dec. 17, 2013 ($636 million annuity) - California, Georgia
  11. Powerball: $336.8 million cash, Jul. 30, 2016 ($487 million annuity) - New Hampshire
  12. Mega Millions: $324 million cash, Mar. 30, 2018 ($533 million annuity) - New Jersey
  13. Mega Millions: $320.5 million cash, Jul. 24, 2018 ($543 million annuity) - California
  14. Powerball: $284 million cash, May 7, 2016 ($429.6 million annuity) - New Jersey
  15. Mega Millions: $281.9 million cash, Jan. 5, 2018 ($451 million annuity) - Florida
  16. Powerball: $279.1 million cash, Jun. 10, 2017 ($447.8 million annuity) - California
  17. Powerball: $273.9 million cash, Mar. 17, 2018 ($456.7 million annuity) - Pennsylvania
  18. Powerball: $268.6 million cash, Oct. 20, 2018 ($430 million annuity) - Preliminary estimate, not won yet
  19. Powerball: $263.5 million cash, Feb. 22, 2017 ($435.3 million annuity) - Indiana
  20. Powerball: $258.2 million cash, Aug. 7, 2013 ($448.4 million annuity) - Minnesota, New Jersey (2)
  21. Powerball: $254.7 million cash, Nov. 26, 2016 ($420.9 million annuity) - Tennessee
  22. Mega Millions: $246.5 million cash, Aug. 11, 2017 ($393 million annuity) - Illinois
  23. Mega Millions: $240 million cash, Jan. 4, 2011 ($380 million annuity) - Idaho, Washington
  24. Mega Millions: $233.1 million cash, Mar. 6, 2007 ($390 million annuity) - Georgia, New Jersey
  25. Mega Millions: $230.9 million cash, Mar. 18, 2014 ($414 million annuity) - Florida, Maryland

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

  • Powerball: 14
  • Mega Millions: 11

News story photo(Click to display full-size in gallery)

Lottery Post Staff

Comments

Bleudog101

Now am thinking like I'm sure many others that it'll climb even higher.

 

Media just showed the crowd for the free Mega Millions ticket, darn it, wish I went now.  Not close to 250 people...

Albeone

Quote: Originally posted by Bleudog101 on Oct 19, 2018

Now am thinking like I'm sure many others that it'll climb even higher.

 

Media just showed the crowd for the free Mega Millions ticket, darn it, wish I went now.  Not close to 250 people...

Well if no one wins tonight it rolls up to $1.6 Billion/$905 Million.

BuyLow's avatarBuyLow

To all the neigh-sayers, "It won't get to a Billion"...........what say ye now??  Good luck!!!

wander73's avatarwander73

The lottery is a joke.  I have talked to numerous vendors and they really don't care.  I am really wondering what is going on.  As soon as it went to $868 million then to $900 I knew something wasn't right.  Then $980 million and now a billion.  This whole thing smells funny.

Bleudog101

Quote: Originally posted by Albeone on Oct 19, 2018

Well if no one wins tonight it rolls up to $1.6 Billion/$905 Million.

I Agree!  It will easily get there.

OCD kicked in and checked about 15 different states.  Many weren't up to snuff, but two that were randomly checked ID & LA said jackpot 1000 million dollars.  Time for their IT departments to fix this.

Have a running joke on FB private message to KY lottery that I would climb up on the billboard near Slugger field and put up a big B for them!

Revolution777's avatarRevolution777

If it rolls, it will be $1.6B for next week, but we all know someone will be crowned champion tonight!

wander73's avatarwander73

Quote: Originally posted by BuyLow on Oct 19, 2018

To all the neigh-sayers, "It won't get to a Billion"...........what say ye now??  Good luck!!!

They get they're 40 percent, then taxes so technically it's not a billion dollars.  I am not even going to start since I have made more in online sales of what I sell.  That's all I will say.   This is embarassing and slapping this country in the face.

wander73's avatarwander73

Disagree.  They know what they're doing trust me.

wander73's avatarwander73

Quote: Originally posted by Bleudog101 on Oct 19, 2018

I Agree!  It will easily get there.

OCD kicked in and checked about 15 different states.  Many weren't up to snuff, but two that were randomly checked ID & LA said jackpot 1000 million dollars.  Time for their IT departments to fix this.

Have a running joke on FB private message to KY lottery that I would climb up on the billboard near Slugger field and put up a big B for them!

Here is what's funny about facebook.  Keywords that anyone types in and companies surround you with ads.  I deactivated 3 yrs ago for many reason.  No offense.  Fakebook stinks.  How about Zuckerburg stepping down?

dpoly1's avatardpoly1

Holy Moly!

Dance

Revolution777's avatarRevolution777

Powerball has been officially raised to $470M!!!

Original Bey's avatarOriginal Bey

Now that we got the billion out of the way, it would be darn sexy to see another bump at 6pm!

Horsegeek40
  • Keep rising. Let's see how high we can go!!
Revolution777's avatarRevolution777

The retail lottery signs all say "$999M" now....I want my extra $1M!  LOL

lowellm

Awww! Go to "Worldwide Jackpots", click on "Mega Millions", then click on "Jackpot History"... Look at how adorable all of those little $500M jackpots look standing next to this billion dollar beast! :)

dpoly1's avatardpoly1

Quote: Originally posted by Revolution777 on Oct 19, 2018

The retail lottery signs all say "$999M" now....I want my extra $1M!  LOL

ME TOO! LOL!

Hyper

Revolution777's avatarRevolution777

This jackpot is officially a "MONSTER"!  Billion Dollar Club!

zephbe's avatarzephbe

Am I the only person who bought one ticket for tonight's drawing?

BuyLow's avatarBuyLow

Quote: Originally posted by zephbe on Oct 19, 2018

Am I the only person who bought one ticket for tonight's drawing?

Welp, I have three so far and will buy more today.

But......

Zeph,  it only takes 1 and a dream.  Good Luck!!

hearsetrax's avatarhearsetrax

most definitely time to look into a smallish private island time Roll Eyes

dpoly1's avatardpoly1

Quote: Originally posted by hearsetrax on Oct 19, 2018

most definitely time to look into a smallish private island time Roll Eyes

Please don't overdue it!

We don't want you to get hurt!

Love your post!

BuyLow's avatarBuyLow

Quote: Originally posted by hearsetrax on Oct 19, 2018

most definitely time to look into a smallish private island time Roll Eyes

Ask and ye shall receive......lol

For the bargain price of $95 MILLION

https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/10-Cannon-Pt_Key-Largo_FL_33037_M60413-48834?view=qv

hearsetrax's avatarhearsetrax

Quote: Originally posted by dpoly1 on Oct 19, 2018

Please don't overdue it!

We don't want you to get hurt!

Love your post!

will be a most curious evening and may your Bentley or RR purchase come back to byte you in the wallet !!

vbrich

Wow 1 billion....

This would be just enough to open my own Family Office. I just bought another line and that is 3 lines so far. Its the max lines that I buy and I have a good feeling.

GL to all!

brees2012's avatarbrees2012

I am 100% ready to win the Mega Millions , Friday Oct 19, 2019.

I've my Solid Plans in the Safe Deposit Box .

Everything is in Order !!! 

Todd's avatarTodd

Funny, all the state lotteries are saying that maybe we should start calling the game Mega Billions now.

Fine with me:  Everyone should head to the new official website, www.megabillions.com.

wander73's avatarwander73

Many of you are getting excited over this.  Meantime I go to thrift stores and clearance items and make money.   The day that 1 of you members actually hit something over million dollars then you tell me how you feel then you tell me how many non profits come after you for money

Todd's avatarTodd

Quote: Originally posted by wander73 on Oct 19, 2018

Many of you are getting excited over this.  Meantime I go to thrift stores and clearance items and make money.   The day that 1 of you members actually hit something over million dollars then you tell me how you feel then you tell me how many non profits come after you for money

Thanks, Debbie Downer.

lowellm

Quote: Originally posted by Todd on Oct 19, 2018

Thanks, Debbie Downer.

My sentiments, exactly.

hearsetrax's avatarhearsetrax

Quote: Originally posted by Todd on Oct 19, 2018

Thanks, Debbie Downer.

pick on her and I'll start making more Vette / GM jokes jejejeje

CDanaT's avatarCDanaT

Mad

dammit...that's the 2nd time today I have to redo my sharing plan

Original Bey's avatarOriginal Bey

Quote: Originally posted by Todd on Oct 19, 2018

Thanks, Debbie Downer.

Green laugh You beat me to it. I remember the character on Mad TV back in the day. Funny then not so funny here.

Bleudog101

Just read that Powerball increased to $470 million.  Is this madness or what?

lowellm

Quote: Originally posted by CDanaT on Oct 19, 2018

Mad

dammit...that's the 2nd time today I have to redo my sharing plan

Argh! That's frustrating! lol

Raven62's avatarRaven62

Quote: Originally posted by Bleudog101 on Oct 19, 2018

Just read that Powerball increased to $470 million.  Is this madness or what?

= .47 Billion!

AceKicka's avatarAceKicka

Quote: Originally posted by Todd on Oct 19, 2018

Funny, all the state lotteries are saying that maybe we should start calling the game Mega Billions now.

Fine with me:  Everyone should head to the new official website, www.megabillions.com.

Hippy.....I officially renamed it Mega "Billion" a few days ago on a different thread. Seems like a good day to make history.

 

Party         Party        Party        Party

lowellm

Quote: Originally posted by Raven62 on Oct 19, 2018

= .47 Billion!

LOL! I'd be quite satisfied with .005 Billion!

CDanaT's avatarCDanaT

Quote: Originally posted by Bleudog101 on Oct 19, 2018

Just read that Powerball increased to $470 million.  Is this madness or what?

POWERBALL:

$470 Annuity

$268.6 CASH         Crazy

 

Thud

KY Floyd's avatarKY Floyd

" I remember the character on Mad TV back in the day."

I've got a better memory of it from SNL.

Original Bey's avatarOriginal Bey

Quote: Originally posted by KY Floyd on Oct 19, 2018

" I remember the character on Mad TV back in the day."

I've got a better memory of it from SNL.

Lol. My mistake. Got the shows incorrect. Thanks for sharing

Horsegeek40

I got to up the acreage of farmland I would like to get for 3rd time this week. And amount of goats. LOL

BuyLow's avatarBuyLow

Quote: Originally posted by Horsegeek40 on Oct 19, 2018

I got to up the acreage of farmland I would like to get for 3rd time this week. And amount of goats. LOL

Duh, who wants to have to mow!  Goats are a must for eating the grass and the wonderful cheese! Green laugh

Horsegeek40

They are quite good at clearing brush in places equipment can't go. Especially where I'm at. Rocks, rocks, and more rocks.

BuyLow's avatarBuyLow

Quote: Originally posted by Horsegeek40 on Oct 19, 2018

They are quite good at clearing brush in places equipment can't go. Especially where I'm at. Rocks, rocks, and more rocks.

How much is a goat anyways?  I hear they can climb trees and fences is this true??

lowellm

I'm putting the cart before the horse here, but if she rolls tonight, the jackpot will need to reach $1.75B before the cash option and the annuity are both #1 in history (assuming the same ratio of CASH OPTION/.565)... In the unlikely event that she does roll, I have zero doubt that she'll reach $2B before the drawing on Tuesday night. Just throwing that out there.

zephbe's avatarzephbe

Quote: Originally posted by BuyLow on Oct 19, 2018

Welp, I have three so far and will buy more today.

But......

Zeph,  it only takes 1 and a dream.  Good Luck!!

Thanks, BuyLow--good luck to you too.

Horsegeek40

Varies by location and age. Anywhere from $50-250. Then if they have paperwork from breed registry price could go up. Yes they can climb woven wire fences. Seen it happen. Trees I have never personally seen. I have one or two that climb on cars. Brats...Jester

alsmurf4's avataralsmurf4

Quote: Originally posted by zephbe on Oct 19, 2018

Am I the only person who bought one ticket for tonight's drawing?

I buy one line for Powerball, Megamillions, Louisiana Lotto for each drawing.

THRIFTY's avatarTHRIFTY

$1 Billion Mega Millions Lottery Game Jackpot. The Economy Is Going Into A Recession.

Horsegeek40

I bought one ticket with multiplier. $3 could turn into a billion!

CDanaT's avatarCDanaT

Quote: Originally posted by zephbe on Oct 19, 2018

Am I the only person who bought one ticket for tonight's drawing?

I bought 1 ticket..... 6 different times

CDanaT's avatarCDanaT

Thifty...ya negative Nancy you !!! We have missed your Debbie Downer comments immensely !!  Glad to see you alive n kicking

Revolution777's avatarRevolution777

I bought 19 MM tickets at 3 locations and every sign has the MM Jackpot at $999M! 

 

Why don't one of you guys marry Debbie Downer/Negative Nancy and cheer her up!  :)

JWBlue
Revolution777's avatarRevolution777

OMG!  That is true "LOTTERY FEVER"!!!

CDanaT's avatarCDanaT

Hoe Leeeeeee Crap..... Are you sure that isn't the immigration line some place ?

Revolution777's avatarRevolution777

The Caravan took a flight to the border!  HAHA

sully16's avatarsully16

Quote: Originally posted by CDanaT on Oct 19, 2018

Hoe Leeeeeee Crap..... Are you sure that isn't the immigration line some place ?

lol I'm all over that Jackpot.  Hyper

Cassie8620's avatarCassie8620

WOW. JW BLUE: thanks for pix....

 

I actually  was saying this look exactly like my home-state california... but i see ok NEVADA lol close enough.

wow. thanks for sharing the line photo wow.

 

I am praying for 1x right now we see a bunch win this time as this is  enough CASH for LOL100 to 500 people to win

per each state, and still UNCLE SAM GOV'T have enough left over, serious. that is REAL WINNING to me, as much as

like dad say, "Then Cassie, i won't believe anymore its rigged if MORE than "1" or 2 or few people win, let's let MANY

win in MULTIPLE states. i agree!

 

 

Good luck to all at LP.Hurray!

CDanaT's avatarCDanaT

Quote: Originally posted by sully16 on Oct 19, 2018

lol I'm all over that Jackpot.  Hyper

Mad  NEWMAN !!

Revolution777's avatarRevolution777

Next estimated Powerball Jackpot for Wed. Oct. 24 if it rolls:  $620M!!  US Flag

Bleudog101

Quote: Originally posted by Revolution777 on Oct 19, 2018

Next estimated Powerball Jackpot for Wed. Oct. 24 if it rolls:  $620M!!  US Flag

What gives?  Agree with you IF Megamillions is hit tonight, otherwise No.

Revolution777's avatarRevolution777

Bluedog- that number ($620M) is from the Texas Lottery website.  Not my prediction! 

I predict Powerball will hit $1B if it rolls to Saturday, Oct. 27th though!

 

US Flag

sully16's avatarsully16

Quote: Originally posted by CDanaT on Oct 19, 2018

Mad  NEWMAN !!

At your service. Dance getting my special pen warmed up so I pick the good numbers.

zephbe's avatarzephbe

Quote: Originally posted by alsmurf4 on Oct 19, 2018

I buy one line for Powerball, Megamillions, Louisiana Lotto for each drawing.

Yeah, I got a Powerball and a Cash 5 too.  Covered them all. 

Horsegeek40

I saw that photo of the line. Many many thirsty people want to drink from billion dollar well.

music*'s avatarmusic*

Fox News is all over this jackpot.  Sheppard Smith interviewed Yolanda Vega. It was a fun interview. 

 The 24-hour news cycle is joining in.  Party

Bleudog101

Quote: Originally posted by Revolution777 on Oct 19, 2018

Bluedog- that number ($620M) is from the Texas Lottery website.  Not my prediction! 

I predict Powerball will hit $1B if it rolls to Saturday, Oct. 27th though!

 

US Flag

Revolution777, I stand corrected.  Very interesting how they derive that.  Good luck you to tonight and tomorrow too.

Bleudog101

Quote: Originally posted by music* on Oct 19, 2018

Fox News is all over this jackpot.  Sheppard Smith interviewed Yolanda Vega. It was a fun interview. 

 The 24-hour news cycle is joining in.  Party

It was sure was, not bad looking for almost 63 if I might say so.

 

Good Luck, music*

Original Bey's avatarOriginal Bey

Looking for inspirational ideas on fixtures and fittings?

 

My Lottery Dream Home airs tonight 6pm EDT to 10pm EDT on HGTV

lowellm

Quote: Originally posted by CDanaT on Oct 19, 2018

Hoe Leeeeeee Crap..... Are you sure that isn't the immigration line some place ?

That's exactly what I thought... I guess we've been watching too much of the news lately!

OldSchoolPa's avatarOldSchoolPa

Quote: Originally posted by BuyLow on Oct 19, 2018

To all the neigh-sayers, "It won't get to a Billion"...........what say ye now??  Good luck!!!

Technically, even if a single ticket wins, the person will not actually be a billionaire. If claimed as annual payments, one's net worth would only reflect the actual annual payment received. So that person won't make Forbes billionaire list. If claimed in a lump sum, $565M pre-tax is far short of $1.0 Billion, and will be even less after Uncle Sam takes his cut.

So play if you just like to play. But don't play just because the jackpot amount is higher than usual. The odds never change.  Also, don't spend your entire pay check on lottery tickets hoping to hit the big one. It only takes one ticket to win. Now time for me to go get my lottery ticket.

ressuccess's avatarressuccess

I hope one ticket wins the jackpot or it rolls one more time everyone!

Todd's avatarTodd

Quote: Originally posted by OldSchoolPa on Oct 19, 2018

Technically, even if a single ticket wins, the person will not actually be a billionaire. If claimed as annual payments, one's net worth would only reflect the actual annual payment received. So that person won't make Forbes billionaire list. If claimed in a lump sum, $565M pre-tax is far short of $1.0 Billion, and will be even less after Uncle Sam takes his cut.

So play if you just like to play. But don't play just because the jackpot amount is higher than usual. The odds never change.  Also, don't spend your entire pay check on lottery tickets hoping to hit the big one. It only takes one ticket to win. Now time for me to go get my lottery ticket.

That's not how net worth works.  It is not "cash on hand".  It is the total value of all assets minus liabilities.  In this case, should the winner choose the annuity, that asset would be worth $1 billion, as that is the total payout amount, and they would be a billionaire.

The richest people on the planet have most of their net worth in stocks, and even though most of the value in their stock could not be sold immediately, 100% of their stock is nevertheless included in their net worth.  Also, even though when they cash out their stock they would have taxes taken out, it is the pre-tax value that is part of net worth, not the after-tax amount.

If you don't believe me, Google Bezos Net Worth (the world's richest person).  You will see an amount of around $150 billion, NOT $90 billion (or whatever amount would be left over after taxes).  Most of his net worth is from stock in Amazon, which is not a liquid asset.

welington

Roll baby Roll if it rolls past Friday,  Mega Billions would  Top 2 Billion dollars 

cash value about 1 billion

weshar75's avatarweshar75

I am thinking if the numbers are low tonight at least three winners and if the numbers are high again at least two winners.-weshar75

US Flag

Soledad

You never lose more than you put it in :) Rub your left hands everybody.Knock on wood. GOOD LUCK Everybody Tonight!

Coin Toss's avatarCoin Toss

Record jackpot (for MM) = record split?

We shall see......

Horsegeek40

Knock on wood, rub lucky charms. Good luck to all!

dpoly1's avatardpoly1

Good luck to all LP Members

But

I'm hoping for 1 ticket and 1 winner from my little wallet!

Dance

Artist77's avatarArtist77

Good luck to all! I was having lunch today and almost dropped my cell phone when I saw the 1 billion jp.  I expected it but seeing it is unbelievable!!!

Original Bey's avatarOriginal Bey

Quote: Originally posted by Artist77 on Oct 19, 2018

Good luck to all! I was having lunch today and almost dropped my cell phone when I saw the 1 billion jp.  I expected it but seeing it is unbelievable!!!

Soledad

It used to be called Mega Millions, Now it’s called Mega Billions! Add a B!

Rman313's avatarRman313

CoolBecause the jackpot is sooo high,I would buy a new Rolls- Royce! 

Stack47

Quote: Originally posted by zephbe on Oct 19, 2018

Am I the only person who bought one ticket for tonight's drawing?

Naw, two people in front of me in line only bought one ticket. But I don't know if the bought others one ticket at a time.

benjibanks's avatarbenjibanks

I bought two tickets.  One for MM and one for PB.  If I win, I will go from Macau to Monte Carlo to Vegas to accumulate some tax write offs. 

 

Good luck everyone.

grwurston's avatargrwurston

Quote: Originally posted by benjibanks on Oct 19, 2018

I bought two tickets.  One for MM and one for PB.  If I win, I will go from Macau to Monte Carlo to Vegas to accumulate some tax write offs. 

 

Good luck everyone.

Imagine what would happen if the same person won both jackpots!!! 

Every one would be like...

 

Thud

Stack47

Quote: Originally posted by Original Bey on Oct 19, 2018

Green laugh You beat me to it. I remember the character on Mad TV back in the day. Funny then not so funny here.

Is this the Debbie Downer you're talking about?

Original Bey's avatarOriginal Bey

Quote: Originally posted by Stack47 on Oct 19, 2018

Is this the Debbie Downer you're talking about?

Yeah! I had the face in mind just tied it to the wrong show.

Artist77's avatarArtist77

Quote: Originally posted by Original Bey on Oct 19, 2018

Amazing. I hope 10 people win the jp.

Todd's avatarTodd

Quote: Originally posted by Soledad on Oct 19, 2018

It used to be called Mega Millions, Now it’s called Mega Billions! Add a B!

Yup, as I mentioned earlier, the new official website is www.megabillions.com Wink

Stack47

Quote: Originally posted by OldSchoolPa on Oct 19, 2018

Technically, even if a single ticket wins, the person will not actually be a billionaire. If claimed as annual payments, one's net worth would only reflect the actual annual payment received. So that person won't make Forbes billionaire list. If claimed in a lump sum, $565M pre-tax is far short of $1.0 Billion, and will be even less after Uncle Sam takes his cut.

So play if you just like to play. But don't play just because the jackpot amount is higher than usual. The odds never change.  Also, don't spend your entire pay check on lottery tickets hoping to hit the big one. It only takes one ticket to win. Now time for me to go get my lottery ticket.

I'd agree with you if the state lotteries hadn't exaggerated all the annuity based jackpots for years. But they did and were stuck watching a jackpot winner holding an over-sized check with an amount they will never get. Both the cash winners and the annuity winner know how much they "took home" after taxes.

In the last couple of years I've noticed more players are talking about the size of the cash option so not all players rely on the size of the advertised jackpot value.

Soledad

They need to change that name. Otherwise it’s just gonna get old.

Prob988
k, number of winners p(m,k)
0 44.28%
1 36.07%
2 14.69%
3 3.99%
4 0.81%
5 0.13%
6 0.02%

 

Above is the rollover probability and the probability of various numbers of winners for the advertised jackpot, randomized drawings.

MsBee18

I bought my tickets a few minutes ago. I think buying more than one ticket is absurd, but I bought three. 1 QP, 2 Self-pick. 

 

I see two winners splitting the jackpot tonight.

Redd55

Per the Calif State Lottery site:

NOTICE!

Due to the high MEGA Millions jackpot, we anticipate increased website traffic that could slow response times.  We apologize for any inconvenience.

 

I vaguely remember this site getting hammered hard one time after a big jackpot making it inaccessible, too. 

benjibanks's avatarbenjibanks

1 in 88 quadrillion... I think that I am due LOL

Original Bey's avatarOriginal Bey

Horsegeek40

Doesn't take a couple of hours for all the states, territories, and Washington,DC to report tickets sold after the draw back to mega millions headquarters?

MzDuffleBaglady's avatarMzDuffleBaglady

Purchased 1 ticket!

Good luck everyoneBanana

lowellm

Less than 2 hours and YOU will know whether or not you won... There is still a significant chance that no numbers will match the drawn numbers. Imagine if she rolls tonight...

KY Floyd's avatarKY Floyd

Quote: Originally posted by Todd on Oct 19, 2018

That's not how net worth works.  It is not "cash on hand".  It is the total value of all assets minus liabilities.  In this case, should the winner choose the annuity, that asset would be worth $1 billion, as that is the total payout amount, and they would be a billionaire.

The richest people on the planet have most of their net worth in stocks, and even though most of the value in their stock could not be sold immediately, 100% of their stock is nevertheless included in their net worth.  Also, even though when they cash out their stock they would have taxes taken out, it is the pre-tax value that is part of net worth, not the after-tax amount.

If you don't believe me, Google Bezos Net Worth (the world's richest person).  You will see an amount of around $150 billion, NOT $90 billion (or whatever amount would be left over after taxes).  Most of his net worth is from stock in Amazon, which is not a liquid asset.

Do you think your house is worth more than it's current value if you don't plan to sell it for 10 or 20 years? The annuity is an asset that can be counted, but if you want to calculate current net worth you'll need to use the current value of the annuity. That current value is what the lottery calls cash value.

As for taxes, they're one of the liabilities. A winner never even gets the full cash value or annuity payment, because they're reduced by 25% for federal tax withholdings and further reduced by any state tax withholdings that apply.  You can see a website that shows all of that information at http://www.usamega.com/

En ReVal

PB is next to reach a billion soon, I believe.

Todd's avatarTodd

Quote: Originally posted by KY Floyd on Oct 19, 2018

Do you think your house is worth more than it's current value if you don't plan to sell it for 10 or 20 years? The annuity is an asset that can be counted, but if you want to calculate current net worth you'll need to use the current value of the annuity. That current value is what the lottery calls cash value.

As for taxes, they're one of the liabilities. A winner never even gets the full cash value or annuity payment, because they're reduced by 25% for federal tax withholdings and further reduced by any state tax withholdings that apply.  You can see a website that shows all of that information at http://www.usamega.com/

I have to stop you when you say "That current value is what the lottery calls cash value."  That is false.  An annuity is a contract, not a bank account earning interest.  It is not worth the amount of seed money that generated the contract, is worth the total payout amount of the contract.

I'll try to give you a real-world illustration so you can understand.  Ever hear of companies that buy out annuities?  Well, they buy annuities based on a discount from the total payout.  They don't buy it based on the initial seed amount that generated the annuity.  That's because the annuity is worth the total payout amount.  Once the annuity is created, it makes no difference what the seed amount was that generated it.  That amount becomes meaningless.

I also tried to explain very clearly how taxes are not in play for net worth calculation, even using an example.

A single winner of tonight's Mega Millions jackpot was takes the annuity option will be a billionaire.  Sorry if you feel differently, but I have explained how it works.  Cheers.

ckrakowski

I will admit I have not bought any lottery tickets and will not.

 

It is because everytime I hear about the MM or PB all I can think about is how eddie tipton rigged jackpots and that alone has put me off of ever buying any ever.

Todd's avatarTodd

Quote: Originally posted by ckrakowski on Oct 19, 2018

I will admit I have not bought any lottery tickets and will not.

 

It is because everytime I hear about the MM or PB all I can think about is how eddie tipton rigged jackpots and that alone has put me off of ever buying any ever.

I hope the lotteries are listening.  Your comment demonstrates what computerized drawings have done to player confidence.

kao1632

I seem to remember, back when the PowerBall was heading towards the US$1.6 billion, that there was a report that only something like 83% of the possible numbers were covered....

 

that left something like 17% of the available numbers (1 in 292,201,338 from 2015) unselected.. meaning.. there was a good chance even that jackpot could have gone on..

 

So where will this run for the Mega Millions end... It's not 100% sure to go until 100% of the possible number combinations are selected...

wander73's avatarwander73

107 comments.  We will see what draws.

JeetKuneDoLotto's avatarJeetKuneDoLotto

Quote: Originally posted by wander73 on Oct 19, 2018

107 comments.  We will see what draws.

If you mathematically reduce the 107 comments according to the nanoparticle physical diffusion attributes, you get...

Q as the bonus sphere.  Applying quantum physics, the result is simply a result of  Copernican Newtoniian physics suffering from the well known flat earth conspiracy.

welington

I  think I was the first to call it Mega Billions.    Wow I could have made some money if I trade mark the name .  Guess cross my fingers to win mega billions

AceKicka's avatarAceKicka

Quote: Originally posted by welington on Oct 19, 2018

I  think I was the first to call it Mega Billions.    Wow I could have made some money if I trade mark the name .  Guess cross my fingers to win mega billions

Hippy...check my earlier posts. Anyway......it's Zero Hour!!

 

Party     Party

JeetKuneDoLotto's avatarJeetKuneDoLotto

Quote: Originally posted by welington on Oct 19, 2018

I  think I was the first to call it Mega Billions.    Wow I could have made some money if I trade mark the name .  Guess cross my fingers to win mega billions

Genius. You cant currently win Mega billions. Its only ONE billion. Mega suggests 6 extra deicmal places. I think your ego might be suffering from a "comma" overdose.

lowellm

Welp, here we go...

BuyLow's avatarBuyLow

lowellm

I officially did not win anything.

Todd's avatarTodd

The Mega Millions winning numbers for Friday, Oct. 19 are: 15, 23, 53, 65, and 70, with Mega Ball number 7.

BuyLow's avatarBuyLow

<snip> we crashed Lotterypost.

This post has been automatically changed by the Lottery Post computer system to remove inappropriate content and/or spam.

Kyle7824's avatarKyle7824

CA back to back 5 of 6 wth?

MsBee18

I think a qp won. Any updates?

BuyLow's avatarBuyLow

Quote: Originally posted by MsBee18 on Oct 20, 2018

I think a qp won. Any updates?

Source?????

MsBee18

Quote: Originally posted by BuyLow on Oct 20, 2018

Source?????

That's a presumption. California reported no jackpot win. Still awaiting other states.

scarchelli's avatarscarchelli

No one won.  It's 1.6 bil Tuesday.

Stack47

Quote: Originally posted by scarchelli on Oct 20, 2018

No one won.  It's 1.6 bil Tuesday.

The Ohio Lottery website says the next jackpot is "NOT AVAILABLE". They are the official bean counters so pardon me for not believing your info.

Kyle7824's avatarKyle7824

Quote: Originally posted by Stack47 on Oct 20, 2018

The Ohio Lottery website says the next jackpot is "NOT AVAILABLE". They are the official bean counters so pardon me for not believing your info.

all you have to do is type mega millions twitter in search and it usually says if it's been won...

Kyle7824's avatarKyle7824

also, odd numbers are on FIRE!

11 out of 12 all odd last two draws...

Six balls

The later it goes without seeing one of the state lottery twitters announce a rollover makes me think someone hit it. CA lottery is usually pretty quick on that for big JPs.

benjibanks's avatarbenjibanks

No one won in CA.  I have a feeling someone won but I hope this thing goes to 2 billion.

Six balls

Quote: Originally posted by benjibanks on Oct 20, 2018

No one won in CA.  I have a feeling someone won but I hope this thing goes to 2 billion.

Right, they got the usual 'one 5 out of 6 ticket sold' tweet out right away (like usual), but they haven't done a 'and no JP winners in other states, new JP will be $X' yet. 

 

Then again, I'd want to triple check before I posted that $1,600,000,000 was going to be the JP, so maybe it's just caution.

keepitreal

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dp7AJ1dWkAAzIEK.jpg

Look what I found online. It look soo fake. Maybe it real.

maximumfun's avatarmaximumfun

Delaware lottery site is already listing the 1.6B jackpot for Tuesday...

Kyle7824's avatarKyle7824

Quote: Originally posted by keepitreal on Oct 20, 2018

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dp7AJ1dWkAAzIEK.jpg

Look what I found online. It look soo fake. Maybe it real.

Photoshopped, someone who is probably already wealthy just messing around, ...barcode is all wrong...

Six balls

Quote: Originally posted by Kyle7824 on Oct 20, 2018

Photoshopped, someone who is probably already wealthy just messing around, ...barcode is all wrong...

I thought this guy did a really nice job, but it came up just  after I saw CA lottery's tweet that no one had won here... LOL

Revolution777's avatarRevolution777

BOYS n GIRLS, THE MM jackpot rolled to $1.6 BILLION!  WOW!!!!!

maximumfun's avatarmaximumfun

wow... that means that the annuity payment for the first year is almost the same as the total j/p for the starting lottery amount of 40M$  wowow

CDanaT's avatarCDanaT

Had the 65 & 70 on 1 line

Had the 23 on another line

Oh well......PB is up next  Thumbs Up

Revolution777's avatarRevolution777

The BIG question now is will it hit $2 BILLION?   OMG!!

Kyle7824's avatarKyle7824

Quote: Originally posted by Revolution777 on Oct 20, 2018

The BIG question now is will it hit $2 BILLION?   OMG!!

Most celebrities figures are chump change compared to this, this is hedge fund manager territory, NFL/NBA/MLB owner territory, Author Blank of the Falcons has around 4.7B I think... Mark Cuban of the Dallas Mavericks 3.9B Trump around 3.1B ...

CDanaT's avatarCDanaT

Any news on a winner yet ?

Revolution777's avatarRevolution777

DELAWARE LOTTERY WEBSITE has the next MM JACKPOT at $1.6 BILLION!  It's a GO!!

Kyle7824's avatarKyle7824

Quote: Originally posted by CDanaT on Oct 20, 2018

Any news on a winner yet ?

CA 5 out of 6 

DE list 1.6B already, 

all I can tell you, I highly doubt there is a JP winner...

Revolution777's avatarRevolution777

PAUL ALLEN, who died on Monday, has a net worth of $20B!  He owned the Seattle Seahawks and Portland Trailblazers.  R.I.P.  good man!

CDanaT's avatarCDanaT

Nothing posted on the MM site or on the Texas site as of yet

keepitreal

Go to usamega.com in 1 hr or soo and it will be updated on there. If anyone hit jackpot.

Six balls

Hyper I'm so excited! Hyper

 

Back of the envelope math says $1.77B JP would be $1B cash value. If we could go up 3 days in a row on this one, surely we can reach a little higher than $1.6B!

Revolution777's avatarRevolution777

Who can believe this?  Megamillions rolls to a jackpot of $1.6B NEXT TUESDAY and Powerball will roll to $620M on Wed. or $1.0B next Saturday.  Are the STARS ALIGNED OR WHAT????

Todd's avatarTodd

Revolution777, please stop posting this. 

It is possible that it will roll, but the Delaware Lottery's website is not authoritative.

It is common knowledge that during big jackpot rolls like this, some smaller states automatically put up a jackpot roll, whether it happened or not.  The same thing happened during the record Powerball jackpot in 2016.  Again, a roll is possible, but not confirmed at this point.

CDanaT's avatarCDanaT

Quote: Originally posted by Todd on Oct 20, 2018

Revolution777, please stop posting this. 

It is possible that it will roll, but the Delaware Lottery's website is not authoritative.

It is common knowledge that during big jackpot rolls like this, some smaller states automatically put up a jackpot roll, whether it happened or not.  The same thing happened during the record Powerball jackpot in 2016.  Again, a roll is possible, but not confirmed at this point.

Come on Todd.... Make the call,pull some strings. inquiring minds would like ta know. You have the clout... hook it up  Naughty

Six balls

CBS Sacramento reports 8 tickets matched 5, but no word on the JP yet.

keepitreal

I have a feeling no one hit jackpot. That my feeling. Anything can happen at the last min.

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