The Mega Millions jackpot is going to be jacked up to $476 million on Friday, which could be the biggest payout in the U.S. if only one person wins it.
Below is a list of the 10 biggest jackpots, by Philly.com, from three multistate games: Powerball, Mega Millions and the Big Game (the forefather to Mega Millions).
The first ranking number is for the total amount payable over several years, while the second number ("Cash") is the lump-sum payout (with its own ranking).
Of course, winning the lottery doesn't always mean happiness, there are horror stories of people blowing their money and other tales of woe.
1. $476 million, Mega Millions, for March 27, 2012, lottery. Cash: $341 million (1).
2. $390 million, Mega Millions, won March 6, 2007, by 2 tickets, in Georgia and New Jersey. Cash payout: $233.1 million (No. 3 all-time).
3. $380 million, Mega Millions, won Jan. 4, 2011, drawing, in Idaho and Washington State. Cash payout: $240 million (2).
4. $365 million, Powerball, won Feb. 18, 2006, in Nebraska. Cash: $177.3 million (10). Record annuity for Powerball, record annuity with a single winner for any U.S. lottery.
5. $363 million, Big Game, won May 9, 2000, by 2 tickets, in Illinois and Michigan. Cash: $180 million (9).
6. $340 million, Powerball, won Oct. 19, 2005, in Oregon. $164.4 million cash (17).
7. $336.4 million, Powerball, for Feb. 11, 2012, drawing. Cash: $210 million (5). Biggest cash jackpot ever for Powerball.
8. $336 million, Mega Millions, won Aug. 28, 2009, by two tickets, in New York and California. Cash: $214 million (4).
9. $331 million, Big Game, won April 16, 2002, by three tickets, in Georgia, Illinois and New Jersey (11).
10. $330 million, Mega Millions, won Aug. 31, 2007, by four tickets, in New Jersey, Maryland, Texas and Virginia. Cash: $194.4. million (7).
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