Lotteries have been around for centuries, offering people a chance to win life-changing sums of money with just a small investment. While most lottery jackpots are substantial, there have been a few that have reached staggering amounts, making winners instant multimillionaires. Let’s take a look at some of the biggest lottery jackpots in history:
Powerball: $1.586 Billion (2016)
In January 2016, the Powerball jackpot reached an unprecedented $1.586 billion, making it the largest lottery jackpot in history. The prize was split between three winning tickets sold in California, Florida, and Tennessee. The winners chose to take the lump sum payment, which amounted to $983.5 million before taxes.
Mega Millions: $1.537 Billion (2018)
In October 2018, the Mega Millions jackpot soared to $1.537 billion, becoming the second-largest lottery jackpot ever. The winning ticket was sold in South Carolina, but the winner chose to remain anonymous. The lump sum cash option for this jackpot was $877.8 million.
EuroMillions: €190 Million (2012, 2014, 2017)
The EuroMillions lottery has had several massive jackpots over the years, with three winners taking home a record-breaking €190 million each. The first jackpot was won in August 2012 by a ticket holder in the UK, the second in October 2014 by a ticket holder in Portugal, and the third in October 2017 by a ticket holder in Spain.
Powerball: $768.4 Million (2019)
In March 2019, a single ticket sold in Wisconsin won the Powerball jackpot of $768.4 million. This massive prize was the third-largest jackpot in US lottery history. The winner chose the lump sum cash option, which was worth $477 million before taxes.
Powerball: $731.1 Million (2021)
In January 2021, a single ticket sold in Maryland won the Powerball jackpot of $731.1 million. This jackpot was the fourth largest in US lottery history and the sixth largest in the world. The winner chose the lump sum cash option, which amounted to $546.8 million before taxes.
Mega Millions: $656 Million (2012)
In March 2012, the Mega Millions jackpot reached $656 million, a record-breaking sum at the time. The prize was split between three winning tickets sold in Kansas, Illinois, and Maryland. Each winner took home $218.6 million before taxes.
Conclusion
Winning a lottery jackpot of this magnitude is a dream come true for many people. While the odds of winning are slim, these stories show that it is possible to become an instant millionaire overnight. Whether it’s the thrill of the game or the hope of changing your life for the better, the appeal of lottery jackpots continues to attract millions of players around the world.
