There’s something irresistible about record‑setting lottery jackpots. Powerball has dominated headlines with some of the highest lottery wins in U.S. history, including the largest ever, surpassing $2 billion. These staggering totals are driven by rollovers: as long as no one wins, the prize keeps climbing, fueled further by public enthusiasm.
The Biggest Powerball Jackpots Ever
Here are the top Powerball jackpots ranked by size:
Rank | Jackpot Amount | Date | Winner(s) | Location |
1 | $2.04 billion | Nov 7, 2022 | 1 winner | California |
2 | $1.586 billion | Jan 13, 2016 | 3 winners | California, Florida, Tennessee |
3 | $768.4 million | Mar 27, 2019 | 1 winner | Wisconsin |
4 | $731.1 million | Jan 20, 2021 | 1 winner | Maryland |
5 | $559.7 million | Jul 19, 2023 | 1 winner | California |
6 | $551.3 million | Jun 1, 2016 | 1 winner | Iowa |
7 | $487 million | May 18, 2013 | 1 winner | Florida |
8 | $451 million | Jan 5, 2018 | 3 winners | Iowa, New York, Tennessee |
9 | $454 million | Feb 11, 2015 | 3 winners | Georgia, Maryland, Illinois |
10 | $430.9 million | Jul 13, 2018 | 1 winner | New Jersey |
These jackpots span a range of state‑split wins and single‑winner milestones, each fueled by dramatic rollover growth.
What Makes Powerball Jackpots So Huge?
Powerball’s jackpot mechanism is designed to grow exponentially:
- Jackpot Rollover System: If no ticket wins, the next draw carries over the entire jackpot, growing larger each time.
- No Cap on Growth: Since there’s no upper limit, jackpots can swell for months until someone matches all six numbers.
- Ticket Sales Surge: Larger jackpots attract national, and even global, attention, inspiring greater ticket purchases.
- Power Play Add-On: A $1 extra bet option that multiplies non-jackpot winnings and adds excitement to play.
As a result, when rollovers stack up over several weeks, you can get eye-popping nine‑ figures, even billion‑dollar jackpots. For more info on this rollover process, see:
✅ What Happens If No One Wins Powerball?
How Are Winnings Paid Out?
When someone hits the jackpot, they have two payout methods:
Annuity
- Spread over 30 annual payments with a 5% increase each year.
- Totals slightly more than the advertised jackpot amount.
Lump Sum
- Cash option paid in one go, typically around 60% of the advertised amount.
- Suitable for cash buyers but subject to immediate taxation.
Taxes
- Federal: 24% withheld upfront, but actual rate may be higher depending on income.
- State/local: Vary widely, from 0% in some states (like FL, WA) to over 8% in others.
- Plan carefully, speak with a financial advisor or use a reliable Powerball Tax Calculator.
Most Common Winner States
Some states have been luckier than others. Here’s a snapshot of Powerball jackpot wins by state:
State | Number of Jackpot Wins |
California | 6 |
Florida | 5 |
New York | 5 |
Texas | 4 |
Tennessee | 3 |
These results reflect states with robust lottery participation and frequent rollover wins.
FAQ
Q: What was the biggest Powerball jackpot ever?
A: A record $2.04 billion, won by a single ticket in California on November 7, 2022.
Q: Has anyone ever won the Powerball jackpot twice?
A: Yes. There are two confirmed back-to-back jackpot double winners: one person in Kansas in 2012 and another in Florida in 2017, both rare and remarkable events.
Q: Which state has had the most Powerball jackpot winners?
A: California leads with 6 jackpots, followed closely by Florida and New York, each with 5.
Conclusion
Powerball’s biggest jackpots are the product of increasing rollovers, massive ticket sales, and the thrill of multimillion-dollar prizes. With no ceiling on the jackpot, Powerball continues to surprise and excite millions of players.
Looking for drawing schedules, numbers, or winner details? Don’t miss these handy links:
Stay in the loop, you never know when the next record-breaking jackpot might be won!