For only the second time in history, two U.S. lottery jackpots have been greater than $300 million at the same time. It first occurred in August 2017. Then after no one claimed the Mega Millions prize on December 29 or Powerball on December 30, the Mega Millions jackpot increased to $343 million and Powerball jumped to $440 million. The lump-sum cash options are $215 million and $278.3 million, respectively.
In August 2017, the Powerball jackpot reached $758.7 million and became the world’s largest lottery jackpot won by a single ticket, purchased by Mavis Wanczyk of Massachusetts. The lottery machine that sold the winning ticket is now touring the state.
The very next Mega Millions drawing was won by a single lottery ticket sold in Illinois. A couple from Palos Heights claimed it a few weeks later.
At the moment, both the Mega Millions and Powerball jackpots rank among the top 25 all-time U.S. lottery jackpots, both for the annuity value and the cash value. Powerball added $50 million to its jackpot after December 29 and Mega Millions added $37 million on December 30.
Tickets cost $2 each with a multiplier feature for an extra $1 per play, allowing winning non-jackpot prizes to be multiplied by the random multiplier number drawn that evening. Multipliers are available in all states offering the games except California.
Mega Millions drawings are held Tuesday and Friday evenings at 11 p.m. Eastern Time and Powerball drawings are held Wednesday and Saturday evenings at 10:59 p.m. Eastern Time.
The app Lottery Places locates the nearest lottery retailers in every jurisdiction that sells Powerball and Mega Millions, including the U.S., UK, Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean. Winning numbers are published minutes after the drawings at usamega.com.
