Imagine becoming a multi-millionaire overnight. Sounds like an impossible dream, doesn’t it? But for a lucky few, it has become a reality thanks to the Mega Millions. And that’s what we’re going to talk about today. So join us and discover the top 10 Mega Millions jackpot wins that have made history.
10- Huge lottery win shared: $543 Million California (July 24, 2018)
In Sacramento, California, 11 co-workers shared the 7th largest Mega Millions jackpot. The winners, who ranged in age from 21 to 60, said they didn’t have a regular lottery group but decided to try their luck. Each contributed $2 to an impromptu pool the day before the drawing. Ronald Reyes, one of the members, claimed the prize on behalf of the group, while others remained anonymous.
9- Largest jackpot won through iLottery in U.S. history: $552 Million Illinois (June 4, 2024)
In our list of top Mega Millions jackpot wins, Illinois stands out with a double win. Not only is it one of the states with the most Mega Millions winners, but it’s also home to the largest iLottery jackpot in U.S. history. The lucky winner, nicknamed “MEGA Millionaire”, won the jackpot after playing online. He said, “I was scrolling through my emails when I saw one from the Illinois Lottery telling me to check my numbers because I had won a prize”.
Learn more: States where you can play the lottery online
8- Shared luck: $648 Million California, Georgia (December 17, 2013)
Two winning tickets, one from California and one from Georgia, shared the Mega Millions jackpot in December 2013. The Georgia winner was the first to claim the prize. Irah Curry, 56, bought his winning ticket at a newsstand in Atlanta. And according to the official Georgia Lottery, she only bought the one ticket, a last-minute decision. Curry picked and played a combination of family birthdays and her family’s lucky number, 7.
Steve Tran of California was the other winner of that pot. When Tran found out he had won, he left a message for his boss saying, “I’m really sorry, boss. I hit the jackpot. I don’t think I’ll be coming in today, tomorrow, or ever”.
7- Maryland’s largest jackpot win: $656 Million Illinois, Kansas, Maryland (March 30, 2012)
Three separate tickets in Kansas, Illinois, and Maryland hit the Mega Millions Jackpot on March 30, 2012. And although it now ranks sixth on our list, at the time it was the largest Mega Millions jackpot in history. To this day it remains Maryland’s largest jackpot win.
6- Largest lottery jackpot in Michigan: 1.05 Billion Michigan (January 22, 2021)
2021 started off big in the state of Michigan with nothing less than a 1.05 billion jackpot. In the January 2021 drawing, an Okland club called the Wolverine FLL Club matched all 6 numbers and won the big prize. According to the winner’s representative, one of the members saw a sign that said the jackpot was $1 billion. That’s when he realized he hadn’t bought a ticket. To this day, it is the largest lottery jackpot in Michigan.
5-First Mega Millions wins of 2024: $ 1.128 Billion New Jersey (Mars 26, 2024)
The first Mega Millions jackpot of 2024 reached a staggering $1.128 billion, with a cash value of $536.6 million. It’s the fifth largest jackpot in the history of the game. What made this drawing even more exciting was the wait: after more than 30 drawings without a winner, a lucky player from New Jersey finally claimed the coveted prize.
4- Jackpots in one lump sum: 1.337 Billion Illinois (July 29, 2022)
And we are back in the state of Illinois. But this time with a much bigger jackpot. After 29 drawings without a winner, two people won the Mega Millions jackpots in the July 29, 2022 drawing. Both players chose to remain anonymous and claimed their jackpots in one lump sum. They each took home $470.7 million after taxes.
3- Maine won its first Mega Millions jackpot: 1.348 Billion Maine (January 13, 2023)
On January 13, 2023, Maine won its first Mega Millions jackpot. Contrary to superstition, Friday the 13th has proven to be a lucky day for Mega Millions players. This is the seventh jackpot won on Friday the 13 since the game’s inception in 2002. The winners chose to remain anonymous and took their winnings in a lump sum of $780.5 million.
2- Picking Quick Pick gave luck: 1.537 Billion South Carolina (October 23, 2018)
A mystery player from South Carolina won $1.537 billion in the October 23, 2018 drawing. And for those who claim that picking Quick Pick numbers decreases your chances of winning -well, this winning ticket proves them wrong-. The winner claimed their prize in a single payment of $877,784,124.
1- The top Mega Millions Jackpot: 1.602 Billion Florida (August 8, 2023)
And the leader in our Top Mega Millions jackpot wins goes to Florida. In the August 8, 2023 drawing, one lucky ticket won the largest Mega Millions jackpot ever and the third largest in the country. The winner chose not to reveal his identity and took his prize in a single lump sum payment of $794,248,882.
How to play Mega Millions
To play Mega Millions, you must select five numbers from 1 to 70 for the white balls and one number from 1 to 25 for the Mega Ball. You can choose the Quick Pick option or pick your own lucky numbers. To win the Mega Millions jackpot, you must match all five white balls in any order and the Mega Ball.
Mega Millions drawing days
The Mega Millions drawings are held every Tuesday and Friday at 11 PM (ET).
Mega Millions winnings after taxes
You won the lottery, congratulations! Now it’s important to understand the tax implications of your newfound wealth. Lottery winnings are considered income, and your final tax bill depends on your total annual income, not just the lottery prize.
Federal tax rules are the same across the country. Prizes up to $600 are tax free. But if your prize is between $600.01 and $5,000, you must report it to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Prizes over $5,000, including jackpots, are subject to a 24% federal withholding tax before you receive your winnings. Your final tax liability or refund will depend on your total income when you file your tax return.
Summing up…
Well, here you go lottery lovers, these are the top Mega Millions jackpot wins. It’s crazy to think how one simple ticket can change someone’s life overnight.
Well, for now, keep playing and dreaming big. And who knows? You might be the next Mega Millions winner.
And if you love the lottery and want to stay on top of the big jackpots, check out our Lottonia App. It’s the best way to stay up to date on your favorite lottery games like Powerball and Mega Millions. Plus you can pick and save your lottery numbers and receive notifications about your winnings and the latest drawings. All in one app!