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Gambling has always been a thrilling pursuit, but for a lucky few, it has turned into a life-changing experience. From slot machines to lotteries, the allure of hitting the jackpot has created some of the most jaw-dropping stories in history. Here, we dive into the 10 biggest jackpot wins in gambling history.
The largest lottery jackpot in history was won in October 2023 by a single ticket sold in California. The winner, who chose to remain anonymous, opted for the lump-sum payment of $774.1 million. This record-breaking Powerball draw had the entire nation on edge as the jackpot rolled over for months. The winning numbers were 22, 24, 40, 52, 64, and the Powerball 10.
In January 2016, three tickets split the largest jackpot at the time, each winning $528.8 million. The winners were from California, Florida, and Tennessee. This historic draw marked the first time the Powerball jackpot crossed the $1 billion mark, creating a frenzy of ticket sales across the U.S.
A single ticket sold in South Carolina won the second-largest lottery jackpot in U.S. history in October 2018. The winner, who chose to remain anonymous, claimed the prize months later, opting for the lump-sum payment of $877.8 million. This win sparked debates about lottery anonymity laws in various states.
In January 2023, a single ticket sold in Maine won the fourth-largest lottery jackpot in history. The winner, part of a lottery pool called “The Breakfast Club,” chose the lump-sum payment of $723.5 million. This win was particularly notable because it was the first Mega Millions jackpot to exceed $1 billion since 2018.
A single ticket sold in Michigan won the sixth-largest lottery jackpot in January 2021. The winner, a lottery club called “The Wolverine FLL Club,” chose to remain anonymous. This win marked the first time the Mega Millions jackpot crossed the $1 billion threshold since the game’s inception.
In March 2019, a single ticket sold in Wisconsin won the third-largest Powerball jackpot in history. The winner, Manuel Franco, a 24-year-old from West Allis, Wisconsin, came forward to claim his prize, opting for the lump-sum payment of $477 million. Franco described the win as “surreal” and vowed to use the money responsibly.
In August 2017, Mavis Wanczyk, a hospital worker from Massachusetts, won the largest single-ticket Powerball jackpot at the time. She chose the lump-sum payment of $480.5 million. Wanczyk immediately quit her job and shared her plans to enjoy her newfound wealth with family and friends.
In January 2021, a single ticket sold in Maryland won the fifth-largest Powerball jackpot in history. The winner, a small convenience store in Lonaconing, Maryland, sold the winning ticket. The jackpot was claimed by a lottery pool of 15 coworkers who chose to remain anonymous.
In October 2021, a single ticket sold in California won the seventh-largest Powerball jackpot. The winner, who chose to remain anonymous, opted for the lump-sum payment of $496 million. This win was part of a streak of massive jackpots that year, fuelling excitement among lottery players.
In March 2012, three tickets split the largest Mega Millions jackpot at the time, each winning $218.6 million. The winners were from Illinois, Kansas, and Maryland. This draw marked a turning point in lottery history, as it was the first time the Mega Millions jackpot exceeded $500 million.
Luck can strike any moment. These jaw-dropping jackpots are a reminder of that. Whether it’s a single ticket or a group effort, these wins have changed lives forever. While the odds of hitting such a jackpot are astronomically low, the dream of becoming an overnight billionaire keeps millions of players coming back for more. Who knows? The next record-breaking win could be just around the corner.