Cash value worth more than a half-billion dollars
By Todd Northrop
After 34 drawings without a jackpot winner, the multi-state Mega Millions lottery game now boasts a swelling jackpot of three-quarters of a billion dollars that could instantly put someone among the wealthiest people on the planet.
When nobody won Tuesday night's grand prize, the Mega Millions jackpot grew to an estimated $750 million — the largest since a $1.5 billion Mega Millions jackpot from an Oct. 2018 drawing was claimed anonymously by a South Carolina player.
The next Mega Millions drawing is on Friday night at 11:00 pm Eastern Time (8:00 pm Pacific).
Friday's $750 million Mega Millions jackpot is the 2nd-largest in the game's history, and the 5th-largest United States lottery jackpot of all time (see full list below).
The lump-sum cash value of $550.6 million is the 3rd-largest on the all-time US lottery jackpot cash value list.
The current jackpot run-up started on Sept. 18 as a $20 million grand prize — it has been 4 months since Mega Millions has had a jackpot winner.
Lottery players wondering what all the cash will look like in their bank account after federal and state taxes are taken out can see an after-tax analysis of the current Mega Millions jackpot by visiting USA Mega's Jackpot Analysis page.
The rush of ticket sales over the next few days likely will propel the jackpot to an even higher amount before the drawing takes place Friday. Lottery Post and USA Mega will update the jackpot tallies displayed if such an increase occurs.
In Tuesday night's Mega Millions drawing, there was no jackpot winner, but 9 lucky players matched the first 5 numbers for a $1,000,000 prize: 1 from California, 2 from Florida, 1 from Georgia, 1 from Illinois, 1 from Missouri, 1 from New Jersey, 1 from Texas, and 1 from Washington.
One of the second-prize winners from Florida purchased their ticket with the Megaplier option for an extra $1 per play, increasing their prize to $2 million because the Megaplier number drawn was 2.
The Megaplier option is not available in California, because the fixed nature of the prize increase offered with the Megaplier is not compatible with California's pari-mutuel payouts. By law, California awards all lottery prizes on a pari-mutuel basis, meaning the prizes will change each drawing based on the number of tickets sold and the number of tickets that won at each prize level.
Also, a total of 116 tickets matched four of the first five numbers plus the Mega Ball to win a $10,000 prize. Of those tickets, 20 were purchased with the Megaplier option, increasing the prize to $20,000, and 15 were sold in California, where the prize awarded this drawing is $8,558.
The Mega Millions winning numbers for Tuesday, January 12, 2021, were 12, 14, 26, 28, and 33, with Mega Ball number 9. The Megaplier number was 2.
The complete payout information and official drawing video for Tuesday's drawing can be found at USA Mega's Mega Millions Drawing Information page.
Following the Tuesday drawing, the Mega Millions annuity jackpot estimate was raised $125 million from its previous amount of $625 million. The cash value was raised by $91.8 million from its previous amount of $458.8 million.
Mega Millions tickets cost $2 each. For an extra $1 per ticket players can purchase the Megaplier option, which multiplies any non-jackpot won by up to 5 times, depending on the Megaplier number drawn that evening.
Mega Millions is currently offered for sale in 45 states, plus Washington, D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Drawings are Tuesdays and Fridays at 11:00 pm Eastern Time.
To find the nearest lottery retailer to buy your tickets, head 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.
Some states offer direct online sales too. Michigan residents can bypass the store completely and buy Mega Millions tickets and Powerball tickets online. Texas residents can buy Mega Millions tickets and Powerball tickets online too. Oregon residents have options to buy Mega Millions tickets and Powerball tickets online as well. Note that some of these links will only work properly for residents of the states mentioned.
Players outside the USA can use a reputable butler service to buy their Mega Millions tickets.
Mega Millions lottery results are published within minutes of the drawing at USA Mega (www.usamega.com). The USA Mega Web site provides lottery players in-depth information about the United States's two biggest multi-state lottery games, Mega Millions and Mega Millions.
Top 25 United States lottery jackpots of all time
Friday's Mega Millions jackpot currently stands as the 5th-largest lottery jackpot of all time in the United States, and the 2nd-largest Mega Millions jackpot ever. Brisk sales will likely push the jackpot estimate higher by draw time.
If nobody wins Tuesday, it's anyone's guess how high it will go.
- Powerball: $1.5864 billion, Jan. 13, 2016 (19 rollovers, starting at $40 million) - California, Florida, Tennessee
- Mega Millions: $1.537 billion, Oct. 23, 2018 (25 rollovers, starting at $40 million) - South Carolina
- Powerball: $768.4 million, Mar. 27, 2019 (25 rollovers, starting at $40 million) - Wisconsin
- Powerball: $758.7 million, Aug. 23, 2017 (20 rollovers, starting at $40 million) - Massachusetts
- Mega Millions: $750 million, Jan. 15, 2021 (34 rollovers, starting at $20 million) - Preliminary estimate, not won yet
- Powerball: $687.8 million, Oct. 27, 2018 (21 rollovers, starting at $40 million) - Iowa, New York
- Mega Millions: $656 million, Mar. 30, 2012 (18 rollovers, starting at $12 million) - Illinois, Kansas, Maryland
- Mega Millions: $636 million, Dec. 17, 2013 (21 rollovers, starting at $12 million) - California, Georgia
- Powerball: $590.5 million, May 18, 2013 (13 rollovers, starting at $40 million) - Florida
- Powerball: $587.5 million, Nov. 28, 2012 (15 rollovers, starting at $40 million) - Arizona, Missouri
- Powerball: $564.1 million, Feb. 11, 2015 (20 rollovers, starting at $40 million) - North Carolina, Puerto Rico, Texas
- Powerball: $559.7 million, Jan. 6, 2018 (20 rollovers, starting at $40 million) - New Hampshire
- Powerball: $550 million, Jan. 13, 2021 (33 rollovers, starting at $20 million) - Preliminary estimate, not won yet
- Mega Millions: $543 million, Jul. 24, 2018 (22 rollovers, starting at $40 million) - California
- Mega Millions: $536 million, Jul. 8, 2016 (34 rollovers, starting at $15 million) - Indiana
- Mega Millions: $533 million, Mar. 30, 2018 (23 rollovers, starting at $40 million) - New Jersey
- Mega Millions: $522 million, Jun. 7, 2019 (24 rollovers, starting at $40 million) - California
- Powerball: $487 million, Jul. 30, 2016 (23 rollovers, starting at $40 million) - New Hampshire
- Powerball: $456.7 million, Mar. 17, 2018 (19 rollovers, starting at $15 million) - Pennsylvania
- Mega Millions: $451 million, Jan. 5, 2018 (23 rollovers, starting at $15 million) - Florida
- Powerball: $448.4 million, Aug. 7, 2013 (12 rollovers, starting at $40 million) - Minnesota, New Jersey (2)
- Powerball: $447.8 million, Jun. 10, 2017 (19 rollovers, starting at $40 million) - California
- Powerball: $435.3 million, Feb. 22, 2017 (18 rollovers, starting at $40 million) - Indiana
- Powerball: $429.6 million, May 7, 2016 (18 rollovers, starting at $40 million) - New Jersey
- Powerball: $425.3 million, Feb. 19, 2014 (15 rollovers, starting at $40 million) - California
For those keeping score, the number of jackpots in the top 25, by lottery game, are:
- Powerball: 16
- Mega Millions: 9
Top 25 cash value jackpots
Since many lottery winners collect their winnings in cash, the lump-sum payout is an important measure of what a winning ticket could be worth.
Looking at the cash value, the upcoming Mega Millions jackpot ranks as the 6th-largest cash value in U.S. history.
- Powerball: $983.5 million cash, Jan. 13, 2016 ($1.5864 billion annuity) - California, Florida, Tennessee
- Mega Millions: $877.8 million cash, Oct. 23, 2018 ($1.537 billion annuity) - South Carolina
- Mega Millions: $550.6 million cash, Jan. 15, 2021 ($750 million annuity) - Preliminary estimate, not won yet
- Powerball: $480.5 million cash, Aug. 23, 2017 ($758.7 million annuity) - Massachusetts
- Powerball: $476.9 million cash, Mar. 27, 2019 ($768.4 million annuity) - Wisconsin
- Mega Millions: $471 million cash, Mar. 30, 2012 ($656 million annuity) - Illinois, Kansas, Maryland
- Powerball: $411.4 million cash, Jan. 13, 2021 ($550 million annuity) - Preliminary estimate, not won yet
- Powerball: $396.2 million cash, Oct. 27, 2018 ($687.8 million annuity) - Iowa, New York
- Powerball: $384.7 million cash, Nov. 28, 2012 ($587.5 million annuity) - Arizona, Missouri
- Powerball: $381.1 million cash, Feb. 11, 2015 ($564.1 million annuity) - North Carolina, Puerto Rico, Texas
- Mega Millions: $378 million cash, Jul. 8, 2016 ($536 million annuity) - Indiana
- Powerball: $370.9 million cash, May 18, 2013 ($590.5 million annuity) - Florida
- Powerball: $352 million cash, Jan. 6, 2018 ($559.7 million annuity) - New Hampshire
- Mega Millions: $347.6 million cash, Dec. 17, 2013 ($636 million annuity) - California, Georgia
- Mega Millions: $340 million cash, Jun. 7, 2019 ($522 million annuity) - California
- Powerball: $336.8 million cash, Jul. 30, 2016 ($487 million annuity) - New Hampshire
- Mega Millions: $324 million cash, Mar. 30, 2018 ($533 million annuity) - New Jersey
- Mega Millions: $320.5 million cash, Jul. 24, 2018 ($543 million annuity) - California
- Mega Millions: $319.9 million cash, Jun. 9, 2020 ($414 million annuity) - Arizona
- Powerball: $284 million cash, May 7, 2016 ($429.6 million annuity) - New Jersey
- Mega Millions: $281.9 million cash, Jan. 5, 2018 ($451 million annuity) - Florida
- Powerball: $279.1 million cash, Jun. 10, 2017 ($447.8 million annuity) - California
- Powerball: $276.5 million cash, Jan. 29, 2020 ($396.9 million annuity) - Florida
- Powerball: $273.9 million cash, Mar. 17, 2018 ($456.7 million annuity) - Pennsylvania
- Powerball: $263.5 million cash, Feb. 22, 2017 ($435.3 million annuity) - Indiana
The number of cash value jackpots in the top 25, by lottery game, are:
- Powerball: 15
- Mega Millions: 10
Plenty of time left to increase the jackpot!
Thank for posting Todd.
to get some more tickets
going to be a most interesting start 4 2021 4 the winner/s
I will play my same numbers from Tuesdays draw. Good luck everyone.
I say we'll see it roll till we have about a $15-$20 BILLION jackpot. We have "ran out" of winners.
Incomprehensible Prediction -- After 34 no-winner draws, I predict that draw-35 will have TWENTY (20) winning tickets.
Hey, why not? Odds may be against it, but then sometimes the odds can be defied!
Thanx-A-Lot. Play Responsibly. Stay Safe and Well.
Funny! I would like to not have a PB winner then things will get frantic! This is a good way for 2021 to start
Now they should take it back to starting at $40milif it had started T $40mil, we would be over $900mil by now
We are still in unprecedented times so you may be right!
would help a lot of people
* Is the 4th paragraph a date typo?
If I win, I will use it all to buy just this house
https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/the-worlds-largest-and-priciest-home-is-ready-for-its-close-up
LOL. You can have it. You couldn't pay me to live in LA or California.
I would take a nice place in the Texas Hill Country. Quiet and no neighbors.
I saw that yesterday, nice --don't know about that big white sculpture.
mine will be and thanks for letting me dream today
https://www.luxuryportfolio.com/Property/westlake-properties-impeccably-designed-residence/WYVP
Time for a Lottery Post member to make a "bit" of history.
"If I win, I will use it all to buy just this house"
Don't rush into it. Last February the guy was talking about a $500 million price tag. Maybe by summer it will be available for 250.
Besides, even with a bump to 800 million, no state income tax, and top federal rates staying at 37% for 2021 you wouldn't take home more than $370 million. Once you factor in closing costs and ongoing maintenance either you couldn't afford it or your standard of living wouldn't be significantly better than it is now.
How do you know top rates won't change? The Democrats who can pass it without any republicans are floating 39.6 to 42 THIS year.
I don't think it will ever go back to 40mil start and the climb is much slower as fewer people are playing at lower levels. It took almost 4.5 months to get here.
Same here, you couldn't get me to live in Comifornia no matter how nice the house is. Florida, TN or TX would be much better options.
Nice looking house for $3 million
That place is just a few miles from where I live. No, I do not live in Westlake. Maybe if I win MM or PB.
On second thought, naw. It's very nice in Westlake, but not my style.
Right, but everyone has to live somewhere you know. Plus the thing is you can't find Ski slopes in Florida, Texas or Tennessee. Let you in on a little secret, if you live out here, mind your own business & brush off the
, you'll do just fine.
Though it gets tons of snow, I'd love to live near Lake Tahoe...but not Reno NV unless in the old section!
I will be in the hills in NC it is comfy and peaceful
Hey, I used to live off Hey 170 next to Cabela's.
nice area, love riding looking at homes off Dove Rd
good luck to ya
Is anybody else super surprised that the Powerball jackpot estimate hasn't been increased yet!
🌬️🤔
I have visited friends in Newport Beach and no ski slopes near that area. My friends fly up to Tahoe or Utah to enjoy the snow. Even Mammoth resort is over 350 miles away. A ski resort is a 2-3 hour flight from TX or even Florida.
PB has been growing much slower than MM as of late. If no one hits PB tonight the jackpot will be $640 million with a cash value of $478.7 million.
I am thinking the same thing.
Mega grows twice in one day yet PB hasn't moved once and is crawling up.
Right now MM and PB are competing for sales. Some players choose the bigger jackpot. Saturday's PB drawing came out much higher than the advertised jackpot. Tonight's PB jackpot will probably be 570 million at the end of total count.
Wow, turns out that the Powerball jackpot estimate was only increased $1.7 million dollars just before the drawing!
Tell us, did you win the Powerball jackpot tonight? So, are you going to buy an automatic stand up spray tanner machine as one of your first big purchases or what?
PB only went up $6mil???
If you haven't been up here lately, you wont recognize 114 at I-35 by Tx Motor Speedway.
Used to be nothing except the track. Now there's all kinds of shops, restaurants, even a Bucee's. A lot of new homes built between 35 and the high school.
Thank you, wow
Now we at $640mil
It's been almost ten months since I last purchased a MegaMillions ticket. Saw on the news how big the jackpot(s) are, so tomorrow I'm buying MM and PB.
Tax rates for this year will be going up under the China-Biden regime. The 37% is gone and will likely be above 40%.
While "some players choose the bigger jackpot", there are those of us that know that it's harder to hit MM than it is to hit PB.
Odds for MM are 1 in 302,575,350, while odds for PB are 1 in 292,201,338.00.
Either way, I wouldn't mind one or the other grand or second prize.
Can we try to keep politics off this forum please and thank you!
I will be a participant in this drawing.
Bucees....gas....snacks.....and occasional assaults...........
I was wondering what happened, people aren't buying tickets today heavy so as to increase the MM Jackpot price from $750 M to 775 M
Suzy-Dittlenose , yes I think you're right there! Hopefully everybody is adding the multiplier to both their mega millions and Powerball row of numbers.
Concerning the increase in to highest income tax bracket percentages, you are wrong about this year, as the amounts we're fixed by our current president and administration. Yet, as usual, come October, the new president and administration will change them. The party has already expressed, several times, increasing to the much higher % increase that you stated accurately. That's why it is so important to study the new page that this website has created, when the whopper Federal percentages are changed and updated in year 2022.
I am going to play this weekend, but I hope it rolls. I want to see another billion dollar jackpot.
Jackpot Analysis Your Net Amount is that the TRUE AMOUNT?
Is that the full amount of money a person will receive ?
Exactly 👍👍👍👍
I would gladly pay taxes on this big jackpot if I was one of the winners. It sure would be a headache I would like to have in my life.-weshar75
Hey Wesher, l know you had previously said that you would be happy winning $50,000. l wish you win at the very least $5,000,000.
"Is that the full amount of money a person will receive ?"
It should be fairly close. If you win that kind of money you'll be in the highest tax bracket for both federal and (any) state income tax. Those tax brackets won't apply to 100% of your income, but when your income is several million they come fairly close.
Those figures don't account for any other income you have, all of which shifts more of any winning into higher brackets. If you have a high enough income from other sources then every dollar you win would be taxed at the highest rate, but the vast majority of people don't have an income that high. Those figures also don't account for any deductions that will reduce the taxable income, so your actual tax bill will be a bit smaller (ignoring income from other sources. You could also reduce your tax bill further by making charitable contributions. That means less money if your pocket, but if the combined rate for you state and federal taxes is 40% then it will only cost you 60 cents for every dollar you donate.
"The 37% is gone and will likely be above 40%."
You know what it is that makes me a bleeding heart liberal instead of just a run of the mill liberal? It's the way my heart bleeds for the poor unfortunate 1.8% whose taxable income is high enough that some of their income will be in the highest tax bracket.
They did not increase the Jackpot from $750 M and up?
What happened and why?
I wanted to buy when it got above $ 1 Billion to see the grasp the public had !!!!
HSG
Is this really not going to get raised? If someone wins tonight, will it get to $770 at least so it's the third largest ever?
Why? Because ticket sales were not high enough to warrant raising the jackpot.
The size of the jackpot is dependent upon ticket sales.
Nobody on tonight
850 million
<whistling theme from Rawhide>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8axrNsJ-9g