The Mega Millions lottery often displays multi-million jackpots that make us dream instantly. Here are the top 10 prizes that this American lotto awarded so far, which should give you an idea about why it is worth playing the Mega Millions:
1. $656 million, March 30th, 2012
This jaw-dropping jackpot created a real frenzy back in 2012. No other lottery had reached so far! Nobody had dared dream so high! Even if the record was already broken by Powerball with its $1.58 billion jackpot in January 2016, the $656 million prize Mega Millions displayed in March 2012 remains a milestone in the history of the lottery.
What happened to this awesome prize? It was won on 3 tickets: one sold in Maryland and whose owners were a lottery syndicate of three members, aka “The Three Amigos”; another ticket purchased in Illinois by a couple of retirees – Merle and Patricia Butler; and a third on claimed in Kansas by an anonymous player.
2. $648 million, Dec. 17th, 2013
One year after setting the former world record for the highest jackpot, Mega Millions was creating again a momentum. As the holidays season was getting closer, the jackpot was getting bigger and bigger. Everyone was expecting the US lottery to break its own record, but two lucky ticket owners stopped the rollover streak, matching the winning numbers 8, 14, 17, 20, 39 and Mega Ball 7.
Who were those lucky players? One of them is Steve Tran from California. He had purchased his Mega Millions ticket while on a family trip to San José, and forgot about it until he saw on the news that one of the big jackpot winners is from his city. After checking the numbers, he smiled, hugged his wife and sent a message to his boss: I’m really sorry, boss. I hit the jackpot. I don’t think I’m going to come in today, tomorrow — or ever.” The second ticket belonged to Ira Curry – a 56-year-old woman from Stone Mountain, Georgia. She came to claim his prize together with her extended family.
3. $536 million, July 8th, 2016
The draw of July 2016 brought yet another high jackpot. This life-changing amount was scooped by the Waters family in Indiana. They had purchased 5 tickets while driving to a sports camp with their kids. This is why everybody should play the Mega Millions lottery.
4. $533 million, March 30th, 2018
The second jackpot of 2018 got to no. 4 on our Mega Millions jackpot Hall of Fame and it was won in Riverdale, New Jersey. There was a single winning ticket for the $533 million prize and it was purchased in a Lukoil station. We are now waiting to see who this mystery winner is, so stay tuned for more information.
5. $450 million, January 5th, 2018
On the second draw of 2018, the Mega Millions lottery has caused a world-wide frenzy with its $450 million jackpot. This fabulous prize was won by 20-year-old Shane Missler from Florida, who decided to take the cash payment on his prize worth $281.8 million. The Mega Millions got a head start in the lotto world this year, so get ready for the amazing prizes coming up in 2018!
6. $414 million, March 18th, 2014
Back in 2014, Mega Millions was making eyebrows rise as the jackpot was getting bigger and bigger. The $414 million prize was split among two tickets owners: one from Maryland, who decided not to reveal his identity, and a syndicate from Florida, known as the Cobie and Seamus Trust.
7. $393 million, August 11th, 2017
The Mega Millions made lottery history in August 2017 with a huge first prize worth $393 million. This fabulous amount was won by a single lottery player, Patricia Busking from suburban Chicago on August 11th and it was applauded by Mega Millions fans everywhere.
8. $390 million, March 6th, 2007
The $390 million jackpot delivered on March 6, 2007 was split by two ticket owners, one from Georgia and one from New Jersey.
9. $380 million, Jan. 4th, 2011
On January 4, 2011, two lucky winners, one from Idaho and one from Washington were splitting one of the top jackpots in Mega Millions’ history, with an annuity value of $380 million.
10. $336 million, August 28th, 2009
A lucky Californian and a fan of the Mega Millions lottery from New York had the inspiration of picking the right numbers (1, 17, 31, 37, 54 and Mega Ball 31) of the draw on August 28, 2009. The New York winner cashed his prize as an annuity as he had already made this choice when buying the ticket, according to the NY Lottery regulations.