Top 10 Largest US Jackpots Ever Won (Powerball & Mega Millions)
Written by Max Watt
July 8, 2026
The United States lottery has produced countless winners in various prize tiers, with each ticket sold representing an attempt to win a massive jackpot. The games that offer the biggest prizes in the country are undoubtedly Powerball and Mega Millions, which consequently have created some of the most ginormous lottery wins of all time.
This article reveals the biggest Powerball and Mega Millions wins ever. Read on to get inspired by the top 10 biggest jackpots ever won in the United States.
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Top 10 Largest Jackpots
The largest Powerball and Mega Millions jackpots have created some remarkable stories of fortune and life-changing lottery events, all of which cross the billion-dollar threshold.
1. $2.04 Billion (Powerball) — November 7, 2022
The highest lottery jackpot in history was won by Edwin Castro in California. After claiming his prize three months following the historic draw, he opted for a massive single lump-sum payout of $628.5 million after taxes.
In the years following this unbelievable turn of fortune, Castro has largely made headlines for his high-end real estate purchases. He has acquired multiple luxury mansions, showcasing a permanent and highly publicized upgrade to his lifestyle and estate.
2. $1.787 Billion (Powerball) — September 6, 2025
The second-largest jackpot in history was split down the middle between two winning tickets, with one purchased in Texas and the other in Missouri. The Texas winner chose to claim their share through a blind trust, opting for the immediate cash value of approximately $412 million.
Since the monumental win, the Missouri ticket holder has successfully remained anonymous to protect their privacy. Conversely, the Texas trust has made public waves by directing massive, multi-million-dollar philanthropic donations to local children's hospitals.
3. $1.765 Billion (Powerball) — October 11, 2023
This massive prize was claimed five months after the drawing by Theodorus Struyck, who stepped forward on behalf of a group of co-winners in Frazier Park, California. The winning ticket itself was originally sold at the Midway Market & Liquor in the tiny mountain community.
After taking home the $774 million cash value, Struyck—a 65-year-old grandfather—reportedly chose to stay right there in his modest community. However, the sheer scale of the wealth did force him to hire a private security firm to help manage his sudden global fame and the influx of curious visitors to his quiet residential street.
4. $1.602 Billion (Mega Millions) — August 8, 2023
Setting the absolute record for the largest Mega Millions prize ever awarded, this historic ticket was sold at a Publix supermarket in Neptune Beach, Florida.
The prize was officially claimed by a single ticket holder (who chose to remain anonymous). To this day, further personal details regarding the winner's identity or how they spent the money have not been disclosed, keeping the historic payout private.
5. $1.586 Billion (Powerball) — January 13, 2016
This historic drawing resulted in a legendary three-way split shared by the Robinsons in Tennessee, the Acostas in California, and Maureen Smith in Florida. The winners handled their sudden billions in different ways.
The Robinsons famously went on the Today show to flash their winning ticket before they had even officially cashed it. On the other end of the spectrum, the Acostas quietly waited months to step forward and have maintained a completely private life ever since. Meanwhile, Maureen Smith and her husband decided to stay in their longtime neighborhood, listing a new Tesla as one of their very few extravagant purchases.
6. $1.537 Billion (Mega Millions) — October 23, 2018
At the time of this drawing, this jackpot held the coveted distinction of being the world's largest lottery prize ever won by a single ticket. The lucky ticket was sold to a player in South Carolina.
The winner opted for a one-time cash payment rather than the long-term annuity. Taking advantage of South Carolina's strict lottery privacy rules, the individual chose to remain entirely anonymous, successfully shielding themselves from the public eye.
7. $1.35 Billion (Mega Millions) — January 13, 2023
Defying the superstitions of a Friday the 13th drawing, a single ticket holder overcame the steep 1-in-302.6 million odds to match every number. The historic ticket was purchased at the Hometown Gas & Grill in Lebanon, Maine, marking the first-ever Mega Millions jackpot won in the state.
The winner chose to claim the prize money through a limited liability company called LaKoma Island Investments to shield their name from the public. Despite the intense legal steps taken to maintain privacy, the win brought massive local excitement to the small town near the New Hampshire border.
8. $1.34 Billion (Mega Millions) — July 29, 2022
This massive billion-dollar jackpot was won by a single ticket sold at a local gas station in Des Plaines, Illinois.
The prize was claimed by two individuals who had formally agreed beforehand to split any potential winnings. The duo chose to take the immediate lump-sum cash option, successfully solidifying their joint entry into the exclusive billion-dollar lottery club.
9. $1.326 Billion (Powerball) — April 7, 2024
Cheng “Charlie” Saephan, an immigrant from Laos living in Portland, Oregon, ended a grueling three-month jackpot drought when his single ticket matched all the numbers. Saephan chose to split the $621 million cash lump sum with his wife and a family friend.
What made this story so remarkable was that Saephan was actively undergoing chemotherapy for cancer at the time of his win. He publicly shared that the massive windfall brought him immense peace of mind, allowing him to focus entirely on his health battles and providing a secure future for his family.
10. $1.269 Billion (Mega Millions) — December 27, 2024
A true holiday season miracle took place in Northern California just days before the New Year. A single lucky player held the only ticket in the country to match all the winning numbers, which was purchased at a Sunshine Food & Gas station in Cottonwood, California.
The massive win officially adjusted upward to $1.269 billion based on final ticket sales, turning the player into an instant billionaire. The winner opted for the one-time cash payout of $571.9 million, wrapping up the holiday season with one of the largest single-ticket windfalls in lottery history.
Ready to Try Your Luck?
If these stories have shown you the power of luck in Powerball and Mega Millions, you might be inspired to take part. All you have to do is pick your numbers (or tap Quick Pick for randomize them) and follow the steps to the checkout. A trusted courier will purchase your ticket(s) from a licensed lottery vendor and store it safely for you.
