$1.58 billion − what would you do if you won?
Someone from Florida is pondering that thought. After months of rollovers, a Mega Millions ticket purchased from a Publix in Neptune Beach matched all five numbers plus the Mega Ball to win the largest prize in the history of the game.
Was it you? Tuesday, Aug. 8, numbers were 13-19-20-32-33 and the Mega Ball was 14. Megaplier was 2x. Tuesday’s drawing also produced a second-tier winner from Florida. A ticket from Kwik Stop in Hollywood matched five numbers to win $1 million.
The next Mega Millions drawing on Friday, Aug. 11, will be for $20 million.
Last month, someone from California won the $1.08 billion Powerball jackpot and this week, the Mega Millions jackpot clocked in at a whopping $1.58 billion.
After no one matched all six numbers in the Friday, Aug. 4, drawing, the jackpot ballooned to the biggest prize in the history of the game.
In case you're wondering, Friday, Aug. 4, numbers were 11-30-45-52-56 and the Mega Ball was 20. Megaplier was 2x. While there were no jackpot winners, there were many big money tickets. Two tickets, one bought in Michigan and the other in Tennessee, matched 5 and the Megaplier for a $2 million prize. There were seven tickets that matched 5 balls for $1 million. Those tickets were purchased in Louisiana, Nebraska, Missouri, New York, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas.
More than two weeks after the Powerball jackpot finally hit $1 billion in mid-July, Mega Millions did the same.
For those keeping track, the huge increase is similar to that of the past few weeks. The jackpot moved up on the list of Top 10 biggest Mega Millions jackpots of all time and is among the Top 3 largest lottery jackpots in the U.S.
Mega Millions drawings are held at 11 p.m. EST Tuesdays andFridays.
Below are some frequently asked questions about Mega Millions, Powerball and lottery odds. Tickets start at $2 apiece. Good luck!
Lottery obsession explained:Mega Millions is past $1.5 billion. No one is winning, so why do we keep playing?
If you win, take a breath. Read this:Powerball, Mega Millions and Florida Lottery ... 12 things NOT to do if you win
How long will it take for Mega Millions jackpot to reach $1 billion?
It took three months of rollovers. For Powerball, it also took less than three months of rollovers for the jackpot to reach $1 billion, the third time in the game's history. Below is a snapshot of recent drawings andhow much the Mega Millions jackpot has climbed(in so short a time).
The lottery frenzy seemed to gain steam around July 4th, when that drawing rolled over, it climbed $50 million overnight. Over the next few weeks, increments of $50 million to $60 million turned to $80 million and $100 million overnight. On June 30, the Mega Millions jackpot was $368 million. As of July 25, less than a month, the jackpot had grown by $452 million.
After the July 28 Mega Millions drawing rolled over, the new jackpot − which was Tuesday, Aug. 1 − was $1.10 billion less than two hours after the drawing.
On Aug. 8, a single ticket sold at a Publix in Neptune matched all five numbers plus the Mega Ball to win the $1.58 prize.
Did you know? Florida hada lot of "second-tier" winners in July 19, 2023, Powerball drawing. Was it you?
When life hands you $2 billion lotto winyou buy a $25 million Hollywood dream home and another in your hometown
- Tuesday, Aug. 8: $1.58 billion
- Friday, Aug. 4: $1.35 billion
- Tuesday, Aug. 1: $1.10 billion
- Friday, July 28: $940 million
- Tuesday, July 25: $820 million
- Friday, July 21: $720 million
- Tuesday, July 18: $640 million
- Friday, July 14: $560 million
- Tuesday, July 11: $500 million
- Friday, July 7: $450 million
- Tuesday, July 4: $400 million
- Friday, June 30: $368 million
- Tuesday, June 27: $343 million
- Friday, June 23: $320 million
- Tuesday, June 20: $300 million
- Friday, June 16: $281 million
- Tuesday, June 13: $260 million
- Friday, June 9: $240 million
- Tuesday, June 6: $218 million
- Friday, June 2: $203 million
- Tuesday, May 30: $187 million
- Friday, May 26: $169 million
- Tuesday, May 23: $150 million
- Friday, May 19: $132 million
- Tuesday, May 16: $113 million
- Friday, May 12: $99 million
- Tuesday, May 9: $83 million
- Friday, May 5: $68 million
- Tuesday, May 2: $52 million
- Friday, April 28: $38 million
- Tuesday, April 25: $26 million
- Friday, April 21: $20 million
How long would it take Mega Millions to reach $2 billion?
Because the Tuesday, Aug. 8, Mega Millions drawing did not roll over (the jackpot was $1.58 billion hours before the drawing), we'll never know if one more rollover would have tipped the jackpot past $2 billion. So far, in the history of Powerball and Mega Millions, that has only happened once, in November 2022 (see below).
Who won $1.08 billion Powerball drawing on Wednesday, July 19, 2023?
After a series of rollovers dating back to April 22, Powerball jackpotfinallyhit $1 billion for the Wednesday, July 19, drawing. However, a single ticket in California matched all six numbers to win the grand prize of $1.08 billion, and there were several "second tier" winners as well.
Three tickets matched five numbers plus the Power Play to win $2 million − they were purchased in Florida, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island.
There were also more than 30 tickets across the country matching the $1 million Match 5 prize. Those tickets were purchased in California (7), Florida (4), Massachusetts (3), Maryland (2), New Jersey (2), New York (5), Texas (4), and one each in Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, New Hampshire, Ohio, Wisconsin and West Virginia.
Protect yourself:
How long did it take Powerball to reach $1.08 billion?
It varies, based on drawings and winners. The list below shows the dates of the drawings and how much the jackpot climbed (in so short a time). It took almost three months and more than 30 rollovers. Like the Mega Millions list above, the lottery frenzy seemed to gain steam around July 5, because when that drawing rolled over, it climbed by $69 million. Over the next few weeks, increments of $60 million to $70 million turned to $75 million and $100 million overnight. On July 1, the Powerball jackpot was $493 million and by July 19, it grew to $1.08 billion.
As of Aug. 8, no one has come forward to claim the $1.08 billion prize.
- Wednesday, July 19: $1.08 billion
- Monday, July 17: $900 million
- Saturday, July 15: $875 million
- Wednesday, July 12: $750 million
- Monday, July 10: $675 million
- Saturday, July 8: $615 million
- Wednesday, July 5: $546 million
- Monday, July 3: $522 million
- Saturday, July 1: $493 million
- Wednesday, June 28: $462 million
- Monday, June 26: $440 million
- Saturday, June 24: $427 million
- Wednesday, June 21: $400 million
- Monday, June 19, Juneteenth: $380 million
- Saturday, June 17: $366 million
- Wednesday, June 14: $340 million
- Monday, June 12: $324 million
- Saturday, June 10: $308 million
- Wednesday, June 7: $285 million
- Monday, June 5: $269 million
- Saturday, June 3: $262 million
- Wednesday, May 31: $239 million
- Monday, May 29, Memorial Day: $226 million
- Saturday, May 27: $211 million
- Wednesday, May 24: $190 million
- Monday, May 22: $179 million
- Saturday, May 20: $162 million
- Wednesday, May 17: $146 million
- Monday, May 15: $135 million
- Saturday, May 13: $125 million
- Wednesday, May 10: $109 million
- Monday, May 8: $97 million
- Saturday, May 6: $87 million
- Wednesday, May 3: $71 million
- Monday, May 1: $60 million
- Saturday, April 29: $51 million
- Wednesday, April 26: $37 million
- Monday, April 24: $28 million
When did lotto jackpots hit $1 billion or more?
As of Aug. 8, 2023, there have been eight lottery jackpots that have reached or surpassed $1 billion.
8.$1.05 billion, Mega Millions, Jan. 22, 2021: A single ticket won in Michigan.
7.$1.08 billion, Powerball, July 19, 2023: A single ticket won in California.
6. $1.337 billion, Mega Millions, July 29, 2022: A single ticket won in Illinois.
5. $1.35 billion, Mega Millions, Jan. 13, 2023: A single ticket was purchased in Maine.
4.$1.537 billion, Mega Millions, Oct. 23, 2018: A single ticket won in South Carolina.
3. $1.58 billion, Mega Millions, Aug. 8, 2023, winner in Neptune Beach, Florida, TBD
2.$1.586 billion, Powerball, Jan. 13, 2016: Three tickets won from California, Florida, Tennessee.
1.$2.04 billion, Powerball, Nov. 7, 2022: A single ticket won in California.
How much was the Mega Millions lottery jackpot for Tuesday, Aug. 8?
an estimated prize of $1.58 billion with a cash option of $783.3 million
How much was the Mega Millions lottery jackpot for Friday, Aug. 4?
an estimated prize of $1.35 billion with a cash option of $659.5 million
"Luckiest state?"In case you didn't know, Florida has had 16 Powerball jackpot winners in the last 20 years
How long has Mega Millions rolled over?
This Mega Millions jackpot has rolled over since April 21. Before that, one ticket purchased in New York matchedall six numbersto win the $476 million Mega Millions jackpot (cash option was $253.1 million). A retired handyman named Johnnie Taylor, 71, claimed New York's largest Mega Millions prize. He chose to take the lump sum payment of $157,288,402, news reports show. Taylor won the April 14 jackpot after buying the ticket from Liberty Beer and Convenience in Queens, New York. In addition, two tickets from that drawing purchased in Illinois and Massachusetts matched five numbers to win $1 million.
While $476 million is a lot of money, the grand prize did not make the Top 10 lottery jackpots for Mega Millions or Powerball (see below).
What are the odds of winning Mega Millions?
According to theMega Millions website, you have a 1 in 302,575,350 chance to match all five white balls plus the gold Mega Ball. Prizes range from $2 (for matching the Mega Ball) to the grand prize jackpot, which varies.
Are the odds of winning Mega Millions the same if the jackpot is $1 billion?
Players have a 1 in 302,575,350 chance to match all six numbers whether the jackpot is $20 million or $1 billion.
What are the odds of winning Powerball?
Powerball drawings are held at 11 p.m. EST Monday, Wednesday and Saturdays. According toPowerball.com, players have a 1 in 292.2 million chance to match all six numbers. Prizes range from $2 to the grand prize jackpot, which varies.
Are the odds of winning Powerball the same if the jackpot is $1 billion?
Players have a 1 in 24.9 chance of winning a prize,powerball.comstates. Players have a 1 in 292.2 million chance to match all six numbers whether the jackpot is $20 million or $1 billion.
Can Florida lottery winners remain anonymous?
According toFlorida Lottery's website, winners cannot remain anonymous: "Florida law mandates that the Florida Lottery provide records containing information such as the winner's name, city of residence; game won, date won, and amount won to any third party who requests the information."
However, the site states, since May 25, 2022, the "names of lottery winners claiming prizes of $250,000 or greater will be temporarily exempt from public disclosure for 90 days from the date the prize is claimed, unless otherwise waived by the winner."
Lottery experts and lawyers have said there are ways to remain anonymous if you win.
Can I buy Florida lottery tickets online?
No. Some states have this option via an app or website, but not the Florida Lottery. Tickets cannot be purchased by mail, fax or online. There are more than 13,000 authorized Florida Lottery retailers here, the site states.
I bought Powerball ticket in another state. Can I cash in my winnings in Florida?
No. Powerball prizes must be claimed in the state where the ticket was purchased, the Florida Lottery says.
I bought a Mega Millions ticket in another state. Can I cash in my winnings in Florida?
No. Mega Millions prizes must be claimed in the state where the ticket was purchased, the Florida Lottery says.
When do Florida lottery tickets expire?
Prizes for Florida Lottery must be claimed within 180 days (six months) from the date of the drawing. To claim a single-payment cash option, a winner has within the first 60 days after the applicable draw date to claim it. Florida Lottery says its scratch-off tickets and Fast Play game prizes "must be claimed within 60 days of the official end-of-game date. Once the applicable time period has elapsed, the related Florida Lottery ticket will expire."
What happens to the unclaimed prize money?
According to the Florida Lottery, state law requires 80% of unclaimed prize funds from expired tickets be transferred to the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund. The remaining 20% is returned to the prize pool for future drawings.
What happens to unclaimed Powerball prize money?
Should a Powerball ticket not be claimed within 180 days of the drawing date, the Florida Lottery site states, "the funds to pay the unclaimed jackpot will be returned to the lottery members in their proportion of sales for the jackpot rollover series." According to Powerball's site, "unclaimed prizes are kept by the lottery jurisdiction. If a Grand Prize goes unclaimed, the money must be returned to all lotteries in proportion to their sales for the draw run. The lotteries then distribute the money, based on their own jurisdiction's laws, to other lottery games or to their jurisdiction's general fund, or otherwise as required by law."
What happens to unclaimed Mega Millions prize money?
Should a Mega Millions ticket not be claimed within 180 days of the drawing date, "the funds to pay the unclaimed jackpot will be returned to the lottery members in their proportion of sales for the jackpot rollover series."
What is the largest lottery jackpot in U.S. history? Who claimed $2.04 billion Powerball prize?
The largest lottery prize ever climbed to $2.04 billion in November. The jackpot was an estimated $1.9 billion days before the drawing, but lottery ticket sales helped it grow to more than $2 billion after updated calculations. A single ticket purchased in California won the grand prize, and the winner was revealed on Valentine's Day − Feb. 14, 2023. Edwin Castro won the largest-ever lottery jackpot, and he opted for a lump sum of $997.6 million, just shy of $1 billion, according to the California Lottery.
One big buy.Record $2 billion Powerball winner bought $25.5 million pad in Hollywood Hills, reports say
What are the Top 10 largest Mega Millions jackpots ever?
According to its website, here are the Top 10 Mega Millions jackpots as of Aug. 8, 2023:
- 10.$533 million — March 30, 2018; New Jersey
- 9.$536 million — July 8, 2016; Indiana
- 8.$543 million — July 24, 2018; California
- 7.$648 million — Dec. 17, 2013; California and Georgia
- 6.$656 million — March 30, 2012; Illinois, Kansas and Maryland
- 5.$1.05 billion — Jan. 22, 2021; Michigan
- 4. $1.337 billion — July 29, 2022; Illinois
- 3.$1.35 billion — Jan. 13, 2023; Maine
- 2. $1.537 billion — Oct. 23, 2018; South Carolina
- 1. $1.58 billion — Aug. 8, 2023; Florida
What are the Top 10 largest Powerball jackpots ever?
Here are the Top 10 Powerball jackpots as of Aug. 8, 2023:
- 10.$632.6 million — Jan. 5, 2022; California and Wisconsin
- 9.$687.8 million — Oct. 27, 2018; Iowa and New York
- 8.$699.8 million — Oct. 4, 2021; California
- 7.$731.1 million — Jan. 20, 2021; Maryland
- 6.$754.6 million — Feb. 6, 2023; Washington
- 5.$758.7 million — Aug. 23, 2017; Massachusetts
- 4.$768.4 million — March 27, 2019; Wisconsin
- 3.$1.08 billion — July 20, 2023; California
- 2.$1.586 billion — Jan. 13, 2016; California, Florida and Tennessee
- 1.$2.04 billion — Nov. 7, 2022; California
What are the Top 10 largest lottery jackpots ever?
The following Mega Millions and Powerball jackpots made the Top 10 biggest lottery jackpots in U.S. history, as of Aug. 8, 2023.
- 10.$758.7 million Powerball drawing — Aug. 23, 2017; Massachusetts
- 9.$768.4 million Powerball drawing — March 27, 2019; Wisconsin
- 8.$1.05 billion Mega Millions drawing — Jan. 22, 2021; Michigan
- 7. $1.08 billion Powerball drawing — July 20, 2023; California
- 6. $1.337 billion Mega Millions drawing — July 29, 2022; Illinois
- 5.$1.35 billion Mega Millions drawing — Jan. 13, 2023; Maine
- 4.$1.537 billion Mega Millions drawing — Oct. 23, 2018; South Carolina
- 3. $1.58 billion Mega Millions drawing — Aug. 8, 2023; Florida
- 2.$1.586 billion Powerball drawing — Jan. 13, 2016; California, Florida and Tennessee
- 1.$2.04 billion Powerball drawing — Nov. 7, 2022; California
Sangalang is a lead digital producer for USA TODAY Network-Florida. Follow her onTwitteror Instagram at@byjensangalang. Support local journalism.Consider subscribing to a Florida newspaper.