Biggest jackpots in Powerball, Mega Millions: Who won $2.04 billion, who sold winning tickets?

One in a million? One in a billion? What are the odds?

Those are questions that come up whenever someone talks about winning a Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.

And here's one of the most famous quotes about winning the lottery: "It could happen to you."

For a select group of individuals from the Sunshine State to the Golden State, it did. In particular, Florida and California have won big Powerball jackpots and could be considered among Top 10 luckiest states (see below). The following is a list of the biggest lottery payouts ever, from $1.050 billion to a whopping $2.04 billion, in the history of the games.

When did lotto jackpots hit $1 billion or more? How many times has Mega Millions and Powerball lottery jackpot reached $2 billion?

As of Aug. 10, 2024, there have been 11 lottery jackpots that have reached or surpassed $1 billion. Only once has a jackpot surpassed $2 billion.

1. $2.04 billion Powerball prize, Nov. 7, 2022, Edwin Castro of Altadena, California, bought his ticket from Joe's Service Center in Altadena. Castro was the sole winner of the largest lottery payout in U.S. history. He opted for the lump sum at just under $1 billion.
2. $1.73 billion Powerball prize, Oct. 11, 2023, Theodorus Struyck of California represents the group of winners. Their winning ticket was purchased at Midway Market in Frazier Park, California.
3. $1.586 billion Powerball prize, Jan. 13, 2016, Marvin and Mae Acosta of California, Maureen Smith and David Kaltschmidt of Melbourne Beach, Florida, and John and Lisa Robinson of Munford, Tennessee. Smith and Kaltschmidt bought their winning ticket from a Publix in Melbourne Beach, Florida. The Acostas bought their winning Powerball ticket from a 7-Eleven in Chino Hills, California. The Robinsons bought their winning Powerball ticket at Naifeh's Food Market near Memphis, Tennessee.
4. $1.58 billion Mega Millions prize, Aug. 8, 2023, Saltines Holdings LLC of Miami, Florida. The person or people in this LLC bought the winning Mega Millions ticket from a Publix in Neptune Beach, Florida.
5. $1.537 billion Mega Millions prize, Oct. 23, 2018, won by an anonymous player in South Carolina. The winning Mega Millions ticket was purchased at a KC Mart in Simpsonville, South Carolina.
6. $1.348 billion Mega Millions prize, Jan. 13, 2023, LaKoma Island Investments, LLC, with the ticket purchased in Lebanon, Maine. The winning Mega Millions ticket was purchased at a Hometown Gas and Grill in Lebanon, Maine.
7. $1.337 billion Mega Millions prize, July 29, 2022, won by an anonymous partnership with a ticket purchased in Des Plaines, Illinois. The winning Mega Millions ticket was purchased at a Speedway in Des Plaines, Illinois.
8. $1.326 billion Powerball prize, April 6, 2024, Cheng "Charlie" Saephan, his wife, Duanpen Saephan, and their friend Laiza Chao of Oregon. Charlie Saephan bought the winning Powerball ticket from a Plaid Pantry in Portland, Oregon.
9. $1.128 billion Mega Millions prize, March 26, 2024, won by an anonymous winner in New Jersey with the ticket purchased at ShopRite Liquor No. 781 in Neptune Township, New Jersey.
10. $1.08 billion Powerball prize, July 19, 2023, Yanira Alvarez of California. Alvarez bought the winning Powerball ticket from Las Palmitas Mini Market in California.
11. $1.050 billion Mega Millions prize, Jan. 22, 2021, won by the Wolverine FLL Club of Oakland County, Michigan. The winning Mega Millions ticket was purchased at a Kroger in Novi, Michigan.

Publix, Publix, $1.586 billion,$1.58 billion: 2 of the largest Powerball, Mega Millions prizes have a Florida tie

Who won $1 billion or more from Mega Millions or Powerball lottery games? Who sold winning tickets worth $2.04 billion?

The following photos show the various winners and retailers tied to the largest Mega Millions and Powerball lottery jackpots in U.S. history, as of Aug. 10, 2024.