Which Mega Millions prize winner won the MOST? The $1.602 billion Mega Millions in August 2023 was the biggest in history!
As Mega Millions makes records (the prize won on June 4, 2024 ranks at #9 of all time), we wanted to tell you about the biggest Mega Millions prizes in the history of the game.
⚡️ Feeling inspired? Get in the game on the Jackpocket lottery app for mobile or desktop.
1. $1.602 Billion (Florida)
A Florida entity by the name of Saltines Holdings, LLC claimed the #1 Mega Millions jackpot in history after its ticket matched 6 of 6 numbers in the August 8, 2023 drawing. The jackpot was SO big it was known as Mega BILLIONS. The lucky ticket was purchased from a Publix in Neptune Beach.
2. $1.537 Billion (South Carolina)
An anonymous player in the small town of Simpsonville, South Carolina is the lucky billionaire. Not only did the SC resident win big, but so did the state itself, receiving $61,000,000 in income tax from the winning ticket.
Learn more: Which states win Mega Millions the most
3. $1.348 Billion (Maine)
On Friday the 13th (January 13, 2023), Maine won its first ever Mega Millions jackpot. The winning ticket was sold at Hometown Gas & Grill in Lebanon, Maine.
4. $1.337 Billion (Illinois)
Two lucky Illinois Lottery players scored the fourth-largest Mega Millions prize ever. The duo wanted to stay anonymous but won on a single ticket. Illinois Lottery said the winners "must be be over the moon." Around 23 cents of every dollar spent on the Illinois Lottery is returned to education and good causes across the state, so these mystery winners weren't the only ones getting lucky!
Learn more: Where lottery money goes
5. $1.128 Billion (New Jersey)
The first Mega Millions winner of 2024 had a billion reasons to celebrate. A lucky someone in New Jersey matched all six numbers drawn on Tuesday, March 26, 2024 with a ticket purchased at ShopRite Liquor in Neptune Township.
6. $1.05 Billion (Michigan)
New year, new millionaires. A lottery club with 4 members in Detroit shared this billion-dollar-jackpot from the Mega Millions drawing on January 22, 2021. The lottery pool, named “Wolverine FLL Club” had the good fortune to hold the ONLY jackpot-winning ticket. "This kind of money will impact the families of our club members for generations to come,” said the lottery club members in a statement. “We plan to stay humble and pay it forward through charitable giving in southeast Michigan.”
7. $656 Million (Kansas, Illinois, Maryland)
Three separate winning tickets, purchased in Kansas, Illinois, and Maryland, split this huge jackpot on March 30, 2012. Two of the three winning tickets were Quick Picks, randomly assigned numbers from the computer. As a spokesperson for the Maryland Lottery put it, “Each of the winners gets $105.1 million in cash after taxes roughly, but who cares about pennies at this point?”
Learn more: Quick Pick vs picking your own lottery numbers
8. $648 Million (California and Georgia)
Two winning tickets, sold on December 17, 2013, left each winner, one in California and one in Georgia, with $324 million. After double-checking his numbers, the Georgia winner said he left this message on his boss’s answering machine: “I’m really sorry boss. I hit the jackpot. I don’t think I’m going to come in today, tomorrow, or ever.”
I’m really sorry boss. I hit the jackpot. I don’t think I’m going to come in today, tomorrow, or ever.”
9. $552 Million (Illinois)
The winning ticket for the $552 million Mega Millions jackpot (June 4, 2024) was purchased online through the Illinois Lottery. It's the largest iLottery prize in U.S. history. "I’ve always dreamed of retiring early and enjoying life with my family. I think it’s safe to say my dream just came true,” the winner told the Illinois Lottery.
Learn more: States where can you buy lottery tickets online
10. $543 Million (California)
On July 24, 2018, a group of 11 co-workers split this $543 million windfall, thanks to their office pool! All 11 members worked for Wells Fargo in San Jose at the time, which means they will (literally) be pros at managing their new fortune!
Honorable Mentions:
11. $536 Million (Indiana)
On July 8, 2016, an Indiana couple won this mega jackpot after buying 5 Quick Pick tickets on a road trip. The winning family was able to remain anonymous by accepting their prize through a law firm in the state.
12. $533 Million (New Jersey)
A New Jersey man took home the state’s second-largest jackpot in its history on March 30, 2018. He chose to accept the one-time lump sum payment around $175 million after taxes. He used his good fortune to rebuild a 1964 Corvette and had plans to donate a good amount to charity.
Powerball more your speed? Top 10 Powerball jackpots in history
13. $522 Million (California)
A San Diego woman claimed this half-billion dollar prize on June 7, 2019. Once again, this winning ticket was a result of a Quick Pick. The lucky winner chose to take the cash option of $340 million before taxes and said she planned to pay off debt and buy a new home with her newfound fortune.
14. $516 Million (Pennsylvania)
A five-person trust named "Peace of Mind" claimed this half-a-billion jackpot from May 21, 2021, which they claimed as a cash lump-sum payment of $348 million. According to their lawyers, "This is life-changing generational money. The winners live in small communities in eastern Pennsylvania and desire to keep their lives as normal as possible. Maintaining anonymity is key to ensuring that normalcy. The winning ticket was a Quick Pick."
15. $451 Million (Florida)
Another Quick Pick winner! A very fortuitous 20-year-old man took home this jackpot on January 5, 2018. First, he won $5 from a scratch off and then used that prize to purchase his winning Mega Millions ticket. The winner said that he planned to purchase a home and take care of his family.
16. $437 Million (New York)
Office party! To their disbelief, a group of 23 co-workers from a small retail business in Long Island took home this record jackpot on January 1, 2019. This was the largest jackpot won in New York State Lottery history. The group opted to take the one-time lump sum payment and each walked away with just under $8 million. Not too shabby.
The More You Know
How high will the jackpot grow? Will one of the winners in this article be replaced? Nothing left to do but play and see! Order your Mega Millions ticket now on the Jackpocket lottery app.
