Winning the lottery remains one of the most unlikely yet irresistible dreams in gambling history. With odds of winning often sitting at 1 in 292.2 million, the chance of holding a winning ticket is incredibly slim. Still, record-breaking wins continue to fuel ticket sales across the world.
Over the past decade, we’ve seen the largest lottery jackpots ever recorded—some crossing the billion-dollar mark, others reshaping how state lotteries operate, disclose recipients, and handle massive lottery winnings.
Biggest Lottery Jackpots Ever Recorded
1. $2.04 Billion Powerball Jackpot (2022)
The biggest win in lottery history came from the 2.04 billion jackpot, drawn on July 29, 2022.
The sole recipients of the grand prize purchased the winning ticket at Joe’s Service Center, a small gas station that instantly became famous. Castro took home a cash value of approximately $997 million before taxes.
After federal and state deductions, estimates suggest he took home roughly $628 million, making him the biggest lottery winner in history by total payout value.
Billion Powerball Wins
2. $1.586 Billion Powerball (2016)
This historic billion-dollar payout was split between three tickets sold in California, Florida, and Tennessee. Each recipient claimed roughly $528 million before taxes.
Lotteries are treated as a matter of public record; recipients from areas such as Melbourne Beach have had their identities disclosed once payouts were claimed. One winner used a trust to remain anonymous.
Billion Mega Millions Wins
3. $1.537 Billion Mega Millions (2018)
The 1.537 billion Mega Millions payout was received by a single winning ticket holder in South Carolina, one of the few states allowing recipients to remain anonymous. The ticket was sold at a local convenience store, highlighting how even small retailers can produce record-breaking payouts.
The winner received approximately $878 million before taxes. This remains one of the largest single-ticket wins ever.
4. $1.348 Billion Mega Millions (2023)
This billion-dollar payout was claimed by a single recipient in Maine. The winning ticket was sold at a small convenience store, continuing the trend of massive wins emerging from everyday locations.
5. $1.337 Billion Mega Millions (2022)
The 1.337 billion payout was split between winning tickets sold in Illinois and Kansas. Each recipient opted for lump-sum payouts rather than annuities.
Biggest Powerball Jackpot Wins
6. $768.4 Million Powerball (2019)
Manuel Franco of Wisconsin received the jackpot at the time. He got roughly $477 million and stated he would stop playing entirely.
7. $758.7 Million Powerball (2017)
Mavis Wanczyk of Massachusetts became the largest single-ticket Powerball recipient at the time. Her cash payout totaled $480.5 million before taxes.
Mega Millions Milestones
8. $656 Million Mega Millions (2012)
This payout was split among recipients in Illinois, Kansas, and Maryland. The Maryland recipients, known as “The Three Amigos,” pooled their money and bought winning tickets together.
9. $648 Million Mega Millions (2013)
Tickets sold in California and Georgia produced this massive win. Cali’s state rules required public disclosure, while Georgia allowed quicker private claims.
Early Powerball Giants
10. $687.8 Million Powerball (2018)
Split between recipients in New York and Iowa, this payout highlighted how dramatically payouts can vary based on state tax laws and payout choices.
Cash Value vs Annuity: What $2 Billion and $1 Billion Winners Really Get
When jackpots are advertised, they reflect annuity values paid over 30 years. Most recipients choose the lump sum, which significantly reduces the headline figure.
For example:
- The $2 billion recipient took under a billion in cash
- The billion-dollar Powerball recipient typically receives $450–$600 million before taxes
Final Thoughts
The biggest wins in history prove that while the odds are astronomically low, life-changing prizes are still possible. In many of the lottery jackpots, the winning ticket was sold at an ordinary gas station or neighborhood shop.
From billion-dollar jackpots to record-breaking jackpots, these payouts continue to shape gambling history. Still, play should always be viewed as entertainment—not a financial plan. Because for every massive recipient, millions of lottery tickets are sold that never claim a prize. If you’re holding a ticket tonight, remember: someone eventually wins—but most don’t.
FAQs
Who got the biggest lottery jackpot win ever?
Castro received the 2.04 billion jackpot. The ticket was sold at a small station that quickly became a landmark for fans.
Under California Lottery rules, recipient information becomes public once a jackpot is claimed, and officials also confirm where the ticket was sold for transparency.
Who won the lottery 14 times?
Stefan Mandel famously hit the numbers multiple times using legal number-coverage strategies.
How much did the $2 billion winner Edwin Castro take home?
The largest jackpot recipient got roughly $628 million after taxes.
Has anyone received $1,000 a day for life?
Yes, several have claimed lifetime daily payout games.
Which national lottery game has the highest chances of winning the biggest jackpot?
Smaller games typically offer better chances.
