The largest single draw jump for MM was by $293 million to reach $656 million, both on March 30, 2012 under the old matrix. This just eclipsed the largest single draw jump of $262.5 million by PB on Nov 28, 2012. This PB jump did not coincide with the largest PB jackpot on May 18, 2013.
If it ever gets that high again (and nobody hits $600m), I would wager that lottery fever will bring all the hopeful out of the woodwork and it will increase by half a pot. $1 billion to $1.2 billion is what I'm hoping to see. (That's $1x10^9 to $1.2x10^9 since some countries don't use "billion" like I do in the US). I'll still buy one ticket LOL.
I have a theory: there is a greater percentage of "regular" players now because people just aren't motivated by "ordinary" $300 million pots. Sounds weird, I know, but it's my theory and I'm going with it.
Back in the 80's the PA pick 6 hit some ridiculous number. Somewhere around $143 million if memory serves correctly. I don't have the data. What I do remember very accurately was sitting at Philadelphia airport and watch a gentleman (I believe from Japan) land, play thousands of quick picks, only to fly back home. News spread of his return flight the same day. The lottery kiosk was upset over the amount and the line of people that had to wait got unruly. I just shook my head in amazement and/or bewilderment. Anyhoo...watch the lunacy if it ever does get to $1 billion. Then the second time it hits $1 billion, people will be like, "meh".