Closing in on $1 Billion
By Todd Northrop
Across the United States, lottery tickets are being sold at a frantic pace that the state lotteries are struggling to keep up with.
Most of those sales are for the multi-state Mega Millions lottery game, which features a jackpot reaching into stratospheric heights only seen once before in world history — and a lump-sum cash value worth more than a half-billion dollars.
Just a day after the jackpot was raised to $900 million, the state lotteries have once again raised the official Mega Millions jackpot estimate for the Fri., Oct. 19, drawing to $970 million, with a lump-sum cash payout of $548.6 million.
And it may not stop there.
Players should watch for further jackpot increases before the Friday drawing. Long lines of ticket buyers across the nation are generating lottery ticket sales at unprecedented levels. Players are strongly urged to avoid waiting until the last minute to buy their their tickets.
The Friday Mega Millions winning numbers will be published at USA Mega (www.usamega.com) live as they are drawn. Lottery Post will also publish the winning numbers live — go to your state lottery results page for the drawing results.
The drawing happens Friday night at 11:00 pm Eastern Time (8:00 pm Pacific Time).
Players looking for the nearest official lottery retailer — or maybe just a different store without such a long line — are urged to use the free Lottery Places app available for iOS, Android, and Windows. The app can find lottery stores in every Mega Millions state and can search across state lines — something even official state lotteries can't do.
Michigan lottery players can bypass the store completely and buy their Mega Millions lottery tickets online. Players outside the USA can try their luck with a reputable butler service.
Friday's jackpot started at $40 million on July 27, and is the result of 24 drawings with no jackpot winner.
When nobody won the jackpot on Tuesday night, the initial estimate for Friday's drawing was established at $868 million, the game's all-time high. Less than 12 hours later, that estimate was raised to $900 million. And now, less than 24 hours after the last increase, the state lotteries have again raised the official estimate, this time to $970 million.
And it's still possible the official estimate will be increased again before the drawing Friday night.
Mega Millions jackpots start at $40 million and roll until the jackpot is won. Players win the jackpot by matching five numbers from a field of 70 numbers and one Mega Millions number from a field of 25 numbers. Drawings are conducted each Tuesday and Friday at 11:00 pm Eastern Time (8:00 Pacific Time).
Combined with Saturday night's $430 million Powerball jackpot, players have $1.4 billion in lottery jackpots to play for this week.
All information about game rules, past drawings, statistics, news, and more can be found at USA Mega (www.usamega.com). The USA Mega Web site provides lottery players in-depth information about the United States' two biggest multi-state lottery games, Mega Millions and Powerball.
Mega Millions is currently offered for sale in 44 states, plus Washington, D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Drawings are Tuesdays and Fridays at 11:00 pm Eastern Time. Tickets cost $2 each.
Top 25 United States lottery jackpots of all time
Friday's Mega Millions jackpot currently stands as the 2nd-largest lottery jackpot in world history. That position may rise before the drawing, as lotteries are typically conservative in their initial estimates, and brisk sales may push the jackpot estimate higher by draw time.
- Powerball: $1.5864 billion, Jan. 13, 2016 - California, Florida, Tennessee
- Mega Millions: $970 million, Oct. 19, 2018 - Preliminary estimate, not won yet
- Powerball: $758.7 million, Aug. 23, 2017 - Massachusetts
- Mega Millions: $656 million, Mar. 30, 2012 - Illinois, Kansas, Maryland
- Mega Millions: $636 million, Dec. 17, 2013 - California, Georgia
- Powerball: $590.5 million, May 18, 2013 - Florida
- Powerball: $587.5 million, Nov. 28, 2012 - Arizona, Missouri
- Powerball: $564.1 million, Feb. 11, 2015 - North Carolina, Puerto Rico, Texas
- Powerball: $559.7 million, Jan. 6, 2018 - New Hampshire
- Mega Millions: $543 million, Jul. 24, 2018 - California
- Mega Millions: $536 million, Jul. 8, 2016 - Indiana
- Mega Millions: $533 million, Mar. 30, 2018 - New Jersey
- Powerball: $487 million, Jul. 30, 2016 - New Hampshire
- Powerball: $456.7 million, Mar. 17, 2018 - Pennsylvania
- Mega Millions: $451 million, Jan. 5, 2018 - Florida
- Powerball: $448.4 million, Aug. 7, 2013 - Minnesota, New Jersey (2)
- Powerball: $447.8 million, Jun. 10, 2017 - California
- Powerball: $435.3 million, Feb. 22, 2017 - Indiana
- Powerball: $430 million, Oct. 20, 2018 - Preliminary estimate, not won yet
- Powerball: $429.6 million, May 7, 2016 - New Jersey
- Powerball: $425.3 million, Feb. 19, 2014 - California
- Powerball: $420.9 million, Nov. 26, 2016 - Tennessee
- Mega Millions: $414 million, Mar. 18, 2014 - Florida, Maryland
- Powerball: $399.4 million, Sep. 18, 2013 - South Carolina
- Mega Millions: $393 million, Aug. 11, 2017 - Illinois
For those keeping score, the number of jackpots in the top 25, by lottery game, are:
- Powerball: 15
- Mega Millions: 10
Top 25 cash value jackpots
Since many lottery winners collect their winnings in cash, the lump-sum payout is an important measure of what a winning ticket could be worth.
Looking at the cash value, the upcoming Mega Millions jackpot ranks as the 2nd-largest cash value in world history.
- Powerball: $983.5 million cash, Jan. 13, 2016 ($1.5864 billion annuity) - California, Florida, Tennessee
- Mega Millions: $548.6 million cash, Oct. 19, 2018 ($970 million annuity) - Preliminary estimate, not won yet
- Powerball: $480.5 million cash, Aug. 23, 2017 ($758.7 million annuity) - Massachusetts
- Mega Millions: $471 million cash, Mar. 30, 2012 ($656 million annuity) - Illinois, Kansas, Maryland
- Powerball: $384.7 million cash, Nov. 28, 2012 ($587.5 million annuity) - Arizona, Missouri
- Powerball: $381.1 million cash, Feb. 11, 2015 ($564.1 million annuity) - North Carolina, Puerto Rico, Texas
- Mega Millions: $378 million cash, Jul. 8, 2016 ($536 million annuity) - Indiana
- Powerball: $370.9 million cash, May 18, 2013 ($590.5 million annuity) - Florida
- Powerball: $352 million cash, Jan. 6, 2018 ($559.7 million annuity) - New Hampshire
- Mega Millions: $347.6 million cash, Dec. 17, 2013 ($636 million annuity) - California, Georgia
- Powerball: $336.8 million cash, Jul. 30, 2016 ($487 million annuity) - New Hampshire
- Mega Millions: $324 million cash, Mar. 30, 2018 ($533 million annuity) - New Jersey
- Mega Millions: $320.5 million cash, Jul. 24, 2018 ($543 million annuity) - California
- Powerball: $284 million cash, May 7, 2016 ($429.6 million annuity) - New Jersey
- Mega Millions: $281.9 million cash, Jan. 5, 2018 ($451 million annuity) - Florida
- Powerball: $279.1 million cash, Jun. 10, 2017 ($447.8 million annuity) - California
- Powerball: $273.9 million cash, Mar. 17, 2018 ($456.7 million annuity) - Pennsylvania
- Powerball: $263.5 million cash, Feb. 22, 2017 ($435.3 million annuity) - Indiana
- Powerball: $258.2 million cash, Aug. 7, 2013 ($448.4 million annuity) - Minnesota, New Jersey (2)
- Powerball: $254.7 million cash, Nov. 26, 2016 ($420.9 million annuity) - Tennessee
- Powerball: $248 million cash, Oct. 20, 2018 ($430 million annuity) - Preliminary estimate, not won yet
- Mega Millions: $246.5 million cash, Aug. 11, 2017 ($393 million annuity) - Illinois
- Mega Millions: $240 million cash, Jan. 4, 2011 ($380 million annuity) - Idaho, Washington
- Mega Millions: $233.1 million cash, Mar. 6, 2007 ($390 million annuity) - Georgia, New Jersey
- Mega Millions: $230.9 million cash, Mar. 18, 2014 ($414 million annuity) - Florida, Maryland
The number of jackpot cash values in the top 25, by lottery game, are:
- Powerball: 14
- Mega Millions: 11
WOOT, come on 1 Billion Dollars!!!
wow, Jackpot up again...AGAIN ???...Now I have to redo my list
l can think, of a lot of Good l could do with that money. Even a two or three way split would be just fine with me.
Put it in a spreadsheet and then you only have to update the cash value after taxes.
I predict it will be $4.6 billion by drawing time .
Sorry about that BL, I should have been a bit more specific... New goodies to be purchased
"new goodies to be purchased" Do not count your chickens until they are hatched.
Lottery Dreaming is encouraged here. Go for the gusto!
I predict that you will offer another ridiculous opinion by drawing time.
Here we go cool billion!
Good luck to everyone!!!
It will be interesting to see if one person win it all and I would love to be that one!. I already bought two lines but I might as well spurge a little, when I stop by gas station and buy one each of MM, PB and NJ Pick 6.
Three JP to dream about that can change our lives forever!
Hahaha, gotcha....on my list I upped my splurge/home/cars/boat amount from 11 to 15 million on this last bump to $970,000,000.00.
I just time to go in my topic area and do another one for tomorrow
Hey vbrich, NJ Pick 6 nothing to sneeze at with enough to take care of your needs!
Yeah, maybe 3-6 months it would get that high...
Mea culpa, was responding to the prediction of 4.6 Billion this Friday.
WE only need a Million, but I do think of all the great Charities I could help and the people that REALLY Need Help, We could finally make a big difference in so many lives!
My list doesn't include that particular aspect. It's more like
Family:
1. Definitely give($1 Million+) to
2. Give some($100K) to
3. S.O.L
I may add a category between #2 & #3... call it, "legal gift amt."
I think it's around the $15-17K figure
ALWAYS ONE in the bunch..... at the very LEAST!
LOL
I knew what you were talking about, can't say SOME got IT though!!!! HE HE HA HA
Oh My.
Jackpots are Up.
Markets are Down.
I think next week the record is broken. Or They wait to nobody hits this one and then slap it in everyone's face.
LOL, I have it on my to-do list to create some kind of "like" or "thanks" button on posts. Your post reminded me I needed to do that when I wanted to click "like".
They all ran out to buy more Lottery Tickets!
Note all the high numbers on both this last Draw!
P.S Don't tell paymentplan-man!
Oh my. My where can I split my winnings into list is growing.
Please stop making me laugh with your last sentence!
I see an Ohio trip in my future if this monstrosity is not won Friday night..an anonymous state.
I have a spot you can donate $10 Million to
Yeah Jeffrey that last sentence from him almost made me spit my OJ out. "Don't tell Payment-plan-man"......... this guy where does he come up with it
*looks at annuity payment amount* That is beginning to look awesome!!!!
Should have finished it off with "awesome a lot like Christmas"
True ppm true.
Hey I was just thinking about how mind blowing it would be if we saw in 24hrs that the jackpot was at like 1.3 Billion. That way during Friday evening and before the draw everyone and their mom will be out buying tickets.
Just food for thought.... What if it rolls? Where does the JP estimate start at ?
Lmfao. I smell something weird.
What's weird is that you ALWAYS think something is weird.
Stop y'all are TOO FUNNY!
Thanks really needed good laugh today. My Heads hanging kinda Low :-((
South Dakota lets bring it home.
They use a lowball estimate of sales between now and the next drawing. It's misleading because the jackpot is based on actual sales, but to their credit, it does say "estimated jackpot". They have to lowball it because if sales are less than estimated, they would have to lower the jackpot amount between now and the drawing (has that ever happened?)
More importantly, and this is probably done intentionally, by lowballing the estimate and then revising the estimate upwards every single day, it gets people into even more of a frenzy.
You know what I thought the same thing and even said this in another post yesterday when we first saw it increase to 900 Million (28hrs ago) but I was corrected through this wonderful explanation.
You don't seem to understand how jackpot estimates are made. They are projections, not based on actual sales. So when the sales for the new jackpot start they can quickly determine if sales volumes are following the expected levels, or if sales are higher or lower than expected. So (for example) when 8 hours pass and sales are occurring at a much higher rate than what was used to create the initial projection, they plot a new calculation for the estimated jackpot — again using a projection. So they did not necessarily sell $100 million in tickets in a few hours. That's just not how it works.
If you really don't believe me, maybe you can write to your state lottery and ask them if that's how it works. Nothing wrong with being skeptical (I am not offended by your skepticism), but when you personally don't know how it works, maybe it would be better not to insist with certainty that you know better than everyone else.
Looks like it is a dangling Carrot !!!
Making the Hare chase it and we are mad folks !!!!!
Let the hatching begin! :)
No it won't. How do you get 4.6 bill
I agree with you. Misleading definitely.
Someone is getting this fixed.
Feel for the clerks in places where you can't play on-line or no lottery machine. Maybe tonight the media will show the Primm lotto store with a huge line. FB here I come to look to see if there's live streaming!
Well, that's not true. If you check past history, they have occasionally over-estimated the jackpot, which is something they desperately try not to do. When they over-estimate the jackpot they get accused of doing it in order to drive up sales.
So their approach is to be conservative in their estimates to avoid this. And you say it's because they want to drive up sales?? That's ludicrous.
Here's an example of a big over-estimation:
An over-estimation of about $10 million. So why did the lottery do that? Because they were trying to drive up sales? Or were they trying to lower sales by doing it?
The whole concept is silly if you understand how lotteries operate. They simply try to get it right, without doing anything like over-estimating that would cause people to say they are trying to do false advertising.
About an hour ago somebody @ Primm Lotto store said the line was 1.5 hours long to get lottery tickets--well that was a customer, not the store itself.
Let's go Mega Millions, this Curmudgeon needs his Jackpot!
Christmas in October Baby!
Wow! When we are in Las Vegas we usually head over to AZ for tickets but I know a lot of Las Vegans head to California because no state tax. At some point I wonder if the Nevada state legislature will ignore the casino lobbies and get in on the lottery action.
Posters go from whining about playing against these odds not being worth it to developing conspiracy theories that defy logic. The MUSL has one trick up its proverbial sleeves. Wanna guess? Astronomical odds. Everything else evolves on its own. Predicting first time/occasional players behavior is a very hard thing to do. So the lottery adjusts as the rate of play changes drastically. It's this category of player that in large part drives up the JP to these levels and at this rapid pace.
Since the first time I saw you post about the Curmudgeon your posts are now read by Ed Asner in my head.
Good luck!
Does the lottery office give out loans , etcccc .....What is the procedure to receive your money ?
Somebody on here knows the procedure with the lottery .
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I am 100% ready to win the Mega Millions $$$$$$$$$$$$$$
When , I win , I'm going to give Mr Butler a visit ( aka winner 2012 )
If you are referring to major JP winners, I know TN does this. Winners would get a few million to scrape by until all the money comes in should you make a claim before that 2 week period. I suspect that other states do likewise.
As of May 2018.............You can give money to family $15,000
I was just told this Today !!
Thank you for your information ...........Have a good day !
Makes me wonder why anyone that doesn't like lotteries or think they're shady would sign up on a website dedicated to lotteries and post stuff.
It is even better than that.
You have two exclusions you can use to make gifts from. One is the yearly gift exclusion and you can give as many individuals you want $15,000 and not have to pay gift tax.
The second one is called your lifetime exclusion. You can either use it to make gifts and avoid gift tax or your estate can use it to offset estate taxes. That amount is a whopping $11,180,000 total this year. So you could give up to that amount and not have to pay gift tax.
And if you’re married both you and your spouse have the same amount of exclusion so you could potentially give away over $22 million without incurring gift tax.
You know how long it took me to get my ticket ? ............20 seconds ...............
No lines at all ........Just me :)
@lottolucy .....
Thanks for that information ...........One other question , can a lawyer turn in the ticket, instead of the winner ?
In my opinion , I feel THE STATES THAT DOESN'T HAVE ANONYMOUS , They Should be anonymous too !!!
Thank you !!!
It depends on the state. If you mean can you form a trust and the lawyer represent you to the lottery without revealing your name you can in many states. In some states that wouldn’t work. In Virginia, for example, a living person has to claim the prize and you couldn’t claim it with your attorney fronting for you.
I agree with being to claim anonymously. In today’s world it is just safer.
Okay, I didn't know that it has happened before (though 10 million out of hundreds of millions is like a drop in the bucket).
Thanks for the info!
Where I get my tix it doesn't matter what the jackpot is I'm usually in and out in a minute or two.
MM and PB are the two lotteries that I detest. No one should ever play them. Force them to go out of business and revert to a normal lottery where you have a far better chance of winning $1 million. Instead of just one winner in the entire country with $500 million, there could be five hundred millionaires! But that doesn't make the news, so we have this nonsense going on.
Another thing I detest about MM and PB is that they lie about the jackpot. It is not $900 million. It's about 55 to 60 percent of that. But they aren't the only ones who do that. The slot machine Megabucks (currently $11 million) is a 25 year annuity. I think Wheel of Fortune does the same thing. Unlike the lottery, though, with those two slot machines (like any slot machine), most of the prizes are not the jackpot. I played Wheel of Fortune one time and won $100. I played Megabucks one time and won $15. So I'm stopping while I'm ahead LOL.
There's nothing wrong with playing reasonable lottery games. MM and PB are, by definition, unreasonable. Spending a ton of money on lottery tickets for any games is also unreasonable. It can be cheap entertainment, but the state depends on people spending way too much money on the lottery, and for that they should be ashamed of themselves. The state is just as addicted to the lottery as a homeless person who spends all of his money on lottery tickets. It's sad.
I played 2 $2 tickets and won $60. I stopped.
That's the way to play it!
Maybe one day the MUSL will offer 2nd tier prizes that allow lottery players to vie for million dollar prizes with better odds.
They tried that a few years ago with the Monopoly Millionaires Club lottery.
It failed miserably. People just don't get worked up over a million dollars.
I've said this before, it bears repeating. My state lotto game has odds of 1 in 25,827,165. Second prize for MM and PB are less than half of that. Yeah, the lotto jackpot is more than 1 million, right now $8,270,000, but it's a bugger with those odds.
But wait, we want better odds to hit a million???
We have scratch tix that pay a million, and the odds on those are as low as 1 in 472,000 (Stacks of Cash game). The catch is a ticket will set you back $20.
With lotteries, you can pay a buck or 2 for a shot at millions at longggggg odds, or $20-$50 for a shot at a million or a few million at much better odds, with the catch that there a limited number of winning tickets out there.
I have played a handful of $20 tickets but I much rather play a buck or 2 and hope for the best.
To each his own.
I believe you are taxed based on where you live, not where you buy the ticket.
No Buy.... If you purchase a ticket while vacationing, say up in Maine, you will pay their state income tax up there before you collect.
Purchase state controls. Then you will receive a credit for your home state tax. If your home state tax rate higher, then you will owe the difference.
And this is why I buy my tickets on DC, lol
That's a good idea. I started using an Excel spreadsheet when Powerball hit that $1.586 billion in Jan 2016. I just type in the jackpot amount and the percentage used to calculate the cash value and all the cells/squares do the calculations all on their own. It gives me an idea on how much I would give out to my friends/family members. I've been using it for the past few draws.
You just need to take the train into MD every couple of months and then there would be no question of anonymity at all! LOL, sad but that is what I miss about Maryland the most.