The excitement is palpable across the United States as the Mega Millions jackpot surges toward the $1 billion threshold. If no winner emerges from Friday night’s draw, the prize pot is set to join the ranks of the most colossal lottery winnings in history. With no winning tickets sold on Tuesday, the booty has ballooned to a staggering $977 million, or a $461 million cash option, placing it firmly on the top-10 all-time list.
In a recent windfall, Theodorus Struyck, fondly known as Theo, a 65-year-old from California, laid claim to the second-largest jackpot of $1.765 billion. However, the record of the most massive Mega Millions prize remains shrouded in mystery, with the victor of the $1.602 billion draw in Florida not yet stepping forward since their August win.
Curiosity often sparks over which states have seen more lottery fortune. It turns out that luck doesn’t have a favorite place; it can strike anywhere, anytime.
Here’s a look at the top 10 lottery winners in history, showcasing their monumental prizes and geographic locations:
California etched its name in history when Edwin Castro from Altadena claimed the Powerball jackpot of a jaw-dropping $2.04 billion on November 7, 2022. Castro, who purchased his ticket at Joe’s Service Center, opted for the lump sum of almost $1 billion, netting around $628.5 million post-taxes.
Again hailing from California, Struyck was part of a winning group in the October 2023 Powerball draw, bagging $1.765 billion. He alone collected the prize from a ticket bought at the Midway Market in Frazier Park.
Meanwhile, Florida holds the record for the largest unclaimed Mega Millions jackpot of $1.602 billion. The elusive winner purchased their lucky ticket at a Publix grocery store in Neptune Beach in August 2023.
In a tri-state victory, Marvin and Mae Acosta from California, John and Lisa Robinson from Tennessee, and Maureen Smith and David Kaltschmidt from Florida divided a Powerball prize of $1.5864 billion in January 2016. While it’s unclear where the Acostas bought their ticket, the other two families purchased theirs at different Publix supermarkets in their respective states.
South Carolina also saw a mysterious individual carry home $1.537 billion from the Mega Millions on October 23, 2018. The winner, who could remain anonymous, bought their lucky ticket at KC Mart #7 in Simpsonville.
A Maine resident joined the ranks of the anonymous wealthy after the January 13, 2023 Mega Millions draw, remaining incognito while claiming their $1.348 billion through LaKoma Island Investments, LLC. The ticket was bought at Hometown Gas & Grill in Lebanon.
An Illinoisan’s life changed overnight when a Speedway gas station in Des Plaines sold them a Mega Millions ticket that won $1.337 billion on July 29, 2022, allowing them to stay under wraps if they wished.
California saw yet another victor for the $1.0798 billion Powerball jackpot on July 19, 2023, bought at Las Palmitas Mini Market in downtown Los Angeles. The individual’s identity is yet to be disclosed by the state.
Michigan became the state of fortune twice, with one winner bagging a $1.05 billion Mega Millions jackpot on January 22, 2021, while maintaining their anonymity. Another person struck gold with an $842.4 million Powerball win on the first day of 2024, from a ticket purchased at a Food Castle in Grand Blanc.
As the draw nears, countless Americans are clamoring for their chance at becoming instant billionaires. The closest draw could see another name added to this distinguished list of lotto legends, or perhaps the jackpot will continue to climb, igniting even more lottery fever as players imagine joining the ranks of these extraordinary winner stories.
