The Biggest US Powerball Winners of All Time

Two of the best lotteries that offer large jackpots are Mega Millions and US Powerball. While both have some of the biggest jackpot winners of all time, the odds of winning the US Powerball (1:292,201,338) are only a little more likely than Mega Millions (1:302,575,350.)

The US Powerball first drawing took place in April 1992 and has grown to be one of the most popular lotteries worldwide. It’s offered by 45 US states and is overseen by the same lottery association that manages Mega Millions. Get inspired and discover some of the largest amounts ever won on the US Powerball. Check the latest Powerball results and find out how you can stand a chance of winning the next jackpot.

The 10 Largest Amounts Ever Won on the US Powerball

When you know how to play the US Powerball lottery, you have opened the door to winning millions or even billions with the right numbers. The key to success lies in matching five numbers between 1 and 69 and one Powerball from 1 to 26 in a draw to win the jackpot.

Keen US Powerball players worldwide can purchase a ticket with an online licensed lottery site such as Lotto Agent which also offers a mobile app for people playing on the go. US citizens can purchase their tickets from authorized retailers in one of the 45 participating states. The US Powerball has seen some of the biggest wins worldwide. Need more inspiration? Here’s a list of the 10 largest amounts ever won in this renowned American lottery game.

$2.04 Billion (California)

On November 7, 2022, Edwin Castro became the single winner of the mega $2.04 billion US Powerball jackpot. This was the largest US Powerball win ever in history and after paying taxes, Castrol walked away with a cool $997.6 million! The winner purchased his ticket at Joe’s Service Center in Altadena, California. Castro spent his fortune on mansions and several vintage cars.

$1.588 Billion (California, Florida, and Tennessee)

Three separate ticket holders were the lucky winners of the US Powerball draw that took place on January 13, 2016. One ticket was purchased from a 7-Eleven in Chino Hills, California, the other at Naifeh’s Food Mart in Tennessee, and the third at a Publix in Melbourne Beach, Florida. The $1.586.4 billion jackpot ($983.5 million cash value after taxes) was split between the three winners.

$768.4 Million (Wisconsin)

The winning ticket for the March 27, 2019, US Powerball jackpot was sold at a gas station in New Berlin, Wisconsin. This was the third-largest US Powerball win in history and the single ticket holder, Manuel Franco, opted for the cash sum payout of $477 million. Franco chose the Quick Pick method to automatically pick his lucky numbers.

$758.7 Million (Massachusetts)

A sole ticket holder won the massive $758.7 million US Powerball on August 23, 2017. The Massachusetts winner, Mavis Wancyzk, quit her job as soon as she heard she had drawn the lucky winning numbers.

She purchased five tickets for the draw, three with her own numbers and two Quick Pick options, from the Pride Station & Store in Chicopee. The winning ticket was a combination of numbers selected from family birthdays and her lucky number, four.

$754. 6 Million (Washington)

One lucky winner won $754.6 million after buying a single ticket for the February 6, 2023, US Powerball drawing. They matched all six winning numbers which were 5, 11, 22, 23, and 69 plus the Powerball which was the number 7.

This was the fifth-largest US Powerball win since its inception. Taking the cash option, after taxes, meant the Washington winner walked away with a total sum of $407.2 million.

$731.1 Million (Maryland)

One Maryland resident won the January 20, 2021, US Powerball jackpot of $731.1 million with a cash value of $546. 8 million. The winning numbers were 40, 53, 60, 68, and 69 and the Powerball number was 22. The ticket was sold at a convenience store in a mining town in Maryland. The name of the winner was not revealed with anonymity allowed in this state.

$699.8 Million (California)

Another Californian won one of the largest amounts in the US Powerball. The draw took place on October 4, 2021, and the cash value after taxes was worth $396.2 million. Up to 57 million US Powerball tickets were sold for this drawing and Scot Godfrey came through as the lucky winner. Godfrey purchased a Quick Pick ticket at the Albertsons Store in Morro Bay and he chose to take the lump sum payout.

$687.8 Million (Iowa and New York)

The October 27, 2018, US Powerball jackpot was split between two winners, one from Iowa and the other living in New York. Both winners opted for the lump sum payment of about $140 million each after taxes. In 2018, a total of seven ticket holders won the US Powerball jackpot.

$632.6 Million (California and Wisconsin)

On January 5, 2022, two lucky winners walked away with the US Powerball jackpot. The winning numbers were 6, 14, 25, 33, 46, and the Powerball number was 17. One ticket was sold at a 7-Eleven store in California while the other one was purchased in Green Bay, Wisconsin. This was the first jackpot win in three months with the previous amount being $687.8 million.

$590.5 Million (Florida)

Gloria MacKenzie from Zephryliss, Florida, didn’t have to share her winnings with anyone! Her single ticket won the May 18, 2013, US Powerball draw and the 84-year-old woman opted for the cash sum value of $370.9 million. MacKenzie purchased her Quick Pick $2 ticket at a Publix store in Zephryliss.

US Powerball: Jackpots that Are Larger than Other Lotteries

The US Powerball is famous for its larger jackpots when compared to other lotteries because of changes made over the years. Higher ticket prices are one the reasons big jackpot winnings are more common in the US Powerball lottery.

However, changing the jackpot limits in recent years has seen winners walking away as billionaires. In 2020, rules were changed with the jackpot limit eliminated and the odds of winning improved. This has allowed the jackpot to roll over to exponential amounts with more lottery players buying into the game and increased revenue through ticket sales.

Originally known as Lotto America, US Powerball also gave players a better chance at winning smaller prizes making it an attractive game to play.

Final Thoughts

While the odds of winning the US Powerball jackpot are low, you do stand a chance of winning the big prize every time you play it. You never know when Lady Luck will smile down on you and if picking your own numbers is stressful, consider the Quick Pick option. It seems to have worked for many US Powerball winners!

Source: madisontrust.com

FAQs

How can I play the US Powerball from another country?

You can play the US Powerball from another country when you register an account with a licensed online lottery site such as theLotter which is user-friendly and regulated. Some restrictions do apply such as your age. You have to be 18 years or older to purchase a US Powerball ticket online or at an authorized retailer in one of the participating states.

Most countries worldwide allow their citizens to play the US Powerball online. However, check the lottery site resources to find out if your country is eligible for entry.

Do I have to pay tax on Powerball winnings?

Lottery winnings are taxable in the US and these include the Powerball prizes. In the US, up to 39% is taxed on lottery winnings depending on the amount of your prize money. The lottery office withholds 24% of the winnings, leaving the balance to be paid in by the winner.

Each state imposes its own taxes with New York levying the highest tax on winnings. California, Delaware, Florida, New Hampshire, Puerto Rico, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming are 10 states that don’t tax lottery winnings.

Are US Powerball jackpots bigger than Mega Millions?

Both the US Powerball and Mega Millions have racked up billions for potential jackpot wins. However, the odds of winning the US Powerball are more in your favor than the Mega Millions. The US Powerball has produced the biggest jackpot win so far which stands at a whopping $2.04 billion.

What are the odds of winning the US Powerball?

The odds of winning the US Powerball stands at 1 in 292,201,338 which makes it seem nigh impossible to win the jackpot. However, this lottery is a better option when compared to the odds of winning the Mega Millions which stands at 1:302,575,350. In 2023 alone, there were five US Powerball winners and ten Mega Millions jackpot wins.

How much are the smaller tier US Powerball prizes?

The US Powerball has nine prize tiers, giving lottery players more chances of winning some money. The lowest tier gives you $4 if you get the Powerball number. You win $7 if you get two numbers plus the Powerball.

The same amount is paid out if you match three numbers but not the Powerball. You can claim $100 if you match four winning numbers without the Powerball number. The same prize money can also be won if you match three numbers drawn PLUS the Powerball.