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Lotto News 24 August 2023
Record Lottery
The Biggest MegaMillions Jackpots of All Time

Table of contents:
Table of Contents:
- POWERBALL VS MEGAMILLIONS: WHICH LOTTERY IS BETTER?
- BILLION-DOLLAR JACKPOTS - JUST HOW BIG ARE THEY?
- TOP 10 BIGGEST LOTTERY JACKPOTS
- MEET THE BIGGEST LOTTERY WINNERS IN HISTORY
- CAN YOU PLAY POWERBALL IN IRELAND?
- HOW TO PLAY MEGAMILLIONS IN IRELAND
- HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO BET FROM IRELAND
- I’VE WON A PRIZE – WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
- FAQ : POWERBALL VS MEGAMILLIONS
Powerball vs Mega Millions: Which Lottery is Better?
When it comes to choosing between the two US lottery giants – Powerball and Mega Millions – it helps to compare them side by side. While both offer massive jackpots, their odds, draw schedules, and number formats differ slightly. Below is a quick comparison to help players understand how each one stacks up.
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Feature | Powerball | MegaMillions | |
Launch Year | April 1992 | 1996 (as The Big Game) | |
Regions Available | 45 states + | 45 states + | |
Draw Days (GMT) | Tues, Thurs, Sun (4:00am) | Wed & Sat (4:00am) | |
Numbers to Match | 5/69 + 1 Powerball (1–26) | 5/70 + 1 Mega Ball (1–24) | |
Jackpot Odds | 1 in 292,201,338 | 1 in 290,472,336 | |
Biggest Jackpot | $2.04 Billion (Nov 2022) | $1.602 Billion (Aug 2023) |
Billion-Dollar Jackpots – Just How Big Are They?
To put things into perspective, $1 billion in $1 bills would stretch around 96,900 miles – almost four times around the Earth.
You could:
- Buy a Premier League football club
- Own a fleet of private jets
- Fund over 2,500 full scholarships to Harvard
- Take 3,000+ people to space
🏆 Top 10 Biggest Lottery Jackpots
Unsurprisingly, the table for the biggest lottery winners in the world is dominated by Powerball and Mega Millions. The biggest ever EuroMillions jackpot to date is €250 million which was won in March 2025. Still, this would not even place it in the top ten biggest world jackpots.
It's worth noting that US lottery winnings are heavily taxed at both federal and state levels, significantly reducing the final payout. Still, even after taxes, the jackpots remain far larger than those offered elsewhere.
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Jackpot Amount | Prize Per ticket | Lottery | Date |
$2.04 billion | $997.6 million | 7th Nov. 2022 | |
$1.765 billion | $774.1 million | 11th Oct. 2023 | |
$1.602 billion | $794.2 million | 8th Aug. 2023 | |
$1.586 billion | $327.8 million*** | 13th Jan. 2016 | |
$1.537 billion | $877.8 million | 23rd Oct. 2018 | |
$1.350 billion | $724.6 million | 13th Jan. 2023 | |
$1.337 billion | $780.5 million | 29th Jul. 2022 | |
$1.326 billion | $621million | 7th Apr. 2024 | |
$1.269 billion | $571.9 million | 27th Dec. 2024 | |
$1.130 billion | $537.5 million | 26th Mar. 2024 |
***Won by three players
🥇 Meet the Biggest Lottery Winners in History
Some wins are so massive they make headlines around the world. Below, we look at the top 5 biggest lottery jackpot winners in history — featuring record-breaking wins from Powerball and Mega Millions, with some incredible stories behind the lucky numbers.
1) 💰 $2.04 Billion – Powerball (7 November 2022)
An anonymous single-ticket winner from California, USA claimed the biggest lottery jackpot of all time: a staggering $2.04 billion Powerball prize. The winning ticket was purchased at Joe’s Service Center in Altadena, earning the retailer owner, Joe Chahayed, a $1 million bonus.
Winning Numbers: 10, 33, 41, 47, 56 | Powerball: 10
2) 💰 $1.765 Billion – Powerball (11 October 2023)
Another record-setting Powerball win landed in California, with a single winner scooping a $1.765 billion jackpot.
Winning Numbers: 24, 52, 40, 22, 64 | Powerball: 10
3) 💰 $1.602 Billion – Mega Millions (8 August 2023)
A Florida-based player made history with the biggest Mega Millions jackpot ever, winning $1.602 billion. The ticket was purchased at a Publix supermarket in Neptune Beach, Florida, and had a cash value of $794.2 million — making it the second-largest single-ticket win in lottery history.
Winning Numbers: 13, 19, 20, 32, 33 | Mega Ball: 14
4) 💰 $1.586 Billion – Powerball (13 January 2016)
This iconic Powerball jackpot was shared by three winning tickets in Florida, Tennessee, and California — each taking home over $328 million.
👫 David Kaltschmidt & Maureen Smith (Florida)
- Took a cautious approach and remained in their seaside home.
- David bought an SUV, Maureen opted for a gold Tesla.
- Still enjoyed fishing from their backyard dock — low-key millionaires.
🏡 John & Lisa Robinson (Tennessee)
- Initially said they’d stay in their modest home.
- Six months later, they’d moved into a £5 million mansion with 320 acres and a private lake.
🤫 Marvin & Mae Acosta (California)
- Waited 6 months to claim their prize.
- Donated much of their winnings to charitable causes and set up a trust.
- The 7-Eleven store owner that sold their ticket also won a $1 million bonus.
Winning Numbers: 4, 8, 18, 27, 34 | Powerball: 10
5) 💰 $1.537 Billion – Mega Millions (23 October 2018)
In one of the most heartwarming lottery tales, a South Carolina winner landed $1.537 billion — thanks to letting another customer go ahead of them in line at KC Mart No. 7.
The winner chose to remain anonymous and took a lump sum payout of $877.8 million, turning a £2 bet into a fortune.
Winning Numbers: 5, 28, 62, 65, 70 | Mega Ball: 5
Can you Play Powerball in Ireland?
You can bet on Powerball from Ireland with Lottoland. Just create an account, pick your numbers and wish for the best. All from the comfort of your own home!
PowerPlay is a thrilling Powerball feature that lets you boost non-jackpot prizes — giving Irish players the chance to win significantly more on every bet.
Here’s how it works:
- 🎯 If you land a Tier 2 prize (just one number short of the jackpot), your winnings are automatically doubled
- 🔁 For other lower-tier prizes, the multiplier can be 2x, 3x, or 5x, depending on the PowerPlay ball drawn
- 💡 When the jackpot is below $150 million, a special 10x multiplier is also in play — offering even greater prize boosts
How to Play MegaMillions in Ireland
Lottoland offers lotto betting on Mega Millions from Ireland. When you bet on Powerball from Ireland, every line now includes a FREE multiplier, giving you the chance to boost your winnings on non-jackpot prizes — at no extra cost.
Here’s how it works:
- ✅ During standard jackpots, the multiplier is fixed at 3x
- 🚀 During larger jackpots, it can climb as high as 10x
- 💸 Applies to all non-jackpot prize tiers, maximising your returns
Whether you’re one number away or matching a few lucky digits, this enhanced feature gives you bigger potential returns on every bet.
How Much Does it Cost to Bet from Ireland?
At Lottoland, you can bet on Powerball and Mega Millions from Ireland and take part in some of the biggest lottery jackpots in the world — often reaching over £1 billion. Unlike European lotteries such as EuroJackpot, which have capped prize limits, these US mega draws have no maximum jackpot, allowing them to break global records.
Because the potential payouts are so large, the price per line bet isn't fixed. As jackpots grow, so do our insurance costs, which is why the price may increase during periods of extreme jackpots.
⚠️ Please note: Lottoland is not a lottery operator, and you are not purchasing an official lottery ticket. Instead, you’re placing a bet on the outcome of the draw.
I’ve Won a Prize – What Happens Next?
If you're an Irish customer betting at Lottoland, the good news is: you’re already verified by default. For smaller prize wins, your payout will be automatically credited to your Lottoland account and then transferred to your bank account within a few business days — no paperwork needed.
For larger wins, such as a Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot, Lottoland may request a document scan to ensure that the winnings go to the correct person. If you’ve hit a major jackpot, rest assured — you’ll receive a personal phone call from our team to deliver the exciting news!
Lottoland guarantees a payout of all winnings with its unique insurance model, even the highest Powerball and Mega Millions jackpots. However, Lottoland replicates the pay-out structure of the official draws in the US and for this reason, the total prize is reduced by 38% to make allowances for the tax that the official winners in Tiers 1 to 3 would have to pay. Payment can be received as installments over 30 years or as a lump sum paid out at 60% of the total value of the annuity amount.
FAQ : Powerball vs MegaMillions
Powerball vs MegaMillions
Can I play Powerball or Mega Millions from Ireland?
Yes, Irish residents can bet on the outcomes of Powerball and Mega Millions via Lottoland. You don't buy an official ticket but place a bet that mirrors the lottery results.
What are the odds of winning Powerball or Mega Millions?
Powerball odds are 1 in 292,201,338; Mega Millions offers slightly better odds at 1 in 290,472,336. Both offer massive jackpots, often exceeding $1 billion.
What’s the difference between Powerball and Mega Millions?
Powerball draws three times a week and uses a 5/69 + 1/26 format, while Mega Millions draws twice weekly with a 5/70 + 1/24 format. Mega Millions usually has higher multipliers for non-jackpot wins.
What is PowerPlay and how does it work in Ireland?
PowerPlay is a multiplier feature that boosts non-jackpot prizes. At Lottoland, this is automatically included when betting on Powerball, enhancing secondary prizes by up to 10x, depending on the draw.
What happens if I win a US lottery bet at Lottoland?
Smaller prizes are paid directly to your Lottoland account. For large wins, including jackpots, Lottoland’s team will contact you directly and guide you through the secure payout process.
Is betting on Powerball or Mega Millions with Lottoland legal in Ireland?
Yes. Lottoland is licensed by the UK Gambling Commission and offers legal betting on international lotteries, not official ticket sales.
How long does Lottoland take to pay out?
Payout times at Lottoland depend on the amount won and the verification process. Smaller prizes are usually credited to your account within a few business days. Larger wins may take a few days longer due to additional verification, but Lottoland aims to process all payouts promptly.
Is Lottoland legit?
Yes, Lottoland is fully licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission and other authorities globally. It uses insurance-based models to guarantee payouts, including record-breaking wins, and has been trusted by millions of customers worldwide since 2013.
Updated: 22nd April 2025
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Amber
What I Cover: I love diving into the exciting world of international lotteries and keeping you in the loop with the freshest updates, the juiciest jackpot wins, and any cool changes happening with the draws. I'm also your go-to person for honest reviews of all the latest casino games. I'll let you know which games are packing the biggest jackpots and the most fun, giving you the lowdown on the themes, special features, and what the gameplay is like.
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My Background: I have been deeply immersed in the realms of lotteries, casinos, and sports since 2021, capturing the ever-evolving landscape of these dynamic industries. With an astute focus on the pulse of the gaming world, I have closely monitored the shifts, trends, and innovations shaping the experiences of enthusiasts worldwide.
Prior to my venture into the world of content creation, I pursued a degree in marketing, harnessing its insights to infuse creativity into my work and ensure my readers remain thoroughly engaged and informed.
Journalistic Ethics: My primary aim as a content writer is to ensure my readers are equipped with the most accurate and timely information concerning the gaming, sports and lottery landscape. I emphasize the significance of responsible betting, stressing the need for individuals to engage in these activities as a source of entertainment and only within their means. While acknowledging the role of chance in winning the lottery, I actively promote the importance of responsible gaming practices and readily provide information about the various support resources.