Quick Answer: The biggest Mega Millions winner in history claimed a $1.602 billion jackpot in August 2023 — that’s over $2.1 billion CAD. The most recent major winner, from Georgia, just claimed $983 million on January 2, 2026. Since 2002, Mega Millions has created hundreds of millionaires and eight billionaires. Canadians can play Mega Millions through XO Lotto without travelling to the US, with tickets starting at $5 per draw.
There’s something fascinating about lottery winners. Not just the money — though $1.6 billion is hard to ignore — but the stories. A convenience store in Florida. An anonymous trust in South Carolina. A Publix supermarket in Georgia. Regular people whose lives changed in the time it takes to check six numbers.
This guide covers the biggest Mega Millions jackpot winners of all time, how the game evolved to produce billion-dollar prizes, and what actually happens when someone wins. Plus, if you’re wondering whether Canadians can get in on the action, the answer is yes — and we’ll show you how.
Looking for Powerball instead? Check out the biggest Powerball winners for comparison. Want to explore other options? See our guide to the biggest lottery jackpot in Canada.
The Biggest Mega Millions Winners of All Time
These are the largest Mega Millions jackpots ever won. Each represents a single ticket (or syndicate) matching all six numbers — five white balls plus the gold Mega Ball.
| Rank | Jackpot (USD) | Jackpot (CAD)* | Date | State | Winner Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.602 Billion | ~$2.16 Billion | Aug 8, 2023 | Florida | Anonymous (trust) |
| 2 | $1.537 Billion | ~$2.07 Billion | Oct 23, 2018 | South Carolina | Anonymous |
| 3 | $1.348 Billion | ~$1.82 Billion | Jan 13, 2023 | Maine | Public (lump sum) |
| 4 | $1.337 Billion | ~$1.80 Billion | Jul 29, 2022 | Illinois | Anonymous |
| 5 | $1.269 Billion | ~$1.71 Billion | Dec 27, 2024 | California | Pending claim |
| 6 | $1.128 Billion | ~$1.52 Billion | Mar 26, 2024 | New Jersey | Anonymous (claimed Dec 2024) |
| 7 | $1.050 Billion | ~$1.42 Billion | Jan 22, 2021 | Michigan | 4-person club |
| 8 | $983 Million | ~$1.33 Billion | Nov 14, 2025 | Georgia | Claimed Jan 2, 2026 |
| 9 | $810 Million | ~$1.09 Billion | Sep 10, 2024 | Texas | Claimed via trust |
| 10 | $656 Million | ~$885 Million | Mar 30, 2012 | KS, IL, MD | Three winners split |
CAD conversions are approximate based on exchange rates at time of win.
The Stories Behind the Numbers
$1.602 Billion (2023, Florida): The largest Mega Millions jackpot winner ever chose to remain anonymous, claiming through a trust called “Autograph of a Winner.” They selected the lump sum option — roughly $783 million after the cash value calculation, before taxes. The winning ticket was purchased at a Publix supermarket in Neptune Beach.
$1.537 Billion (2018, South Carolina): This winner waited nearly three months before claiming, working with financial advisors and attorneys first. Smart move. South Carolina allows anonymous claims, so we know nothing about who won — only that they took the lump sum of approximately $878 million.
$1.348 Billion (2023, Maine): One of the few billion-dollar winners to go public. The winner, from Maine, chose the lump sum and has since kept a relatively low profile despite the public claim. Maine requires winner disclosure for prizes over $1,000.
$1.337 Billion (2022, Illinois): Claimed anonymously through a trust. The winner purchased their ticket at a Speedway gas station in Des Plaines, just outside Chicago.
$1.269 Billion (2024, California): A Christmas miracle blessed a Northern California resident on December 27, 2024. The winning ticket was sold at a gas station in Cottonwood. California winners have one year to claim, and as of early 2026, the prize remains pending.
$1.128 Billion (2024, New Jersey): Won in March 2024 at a ShopRite in Neptune Township, New Jersey. The winner came forward in December 2024 and chose the lump sum, receiving approximately $537.5 million after taxes.
$1.050 Billion (2021, Michigan): After a record 37 consecutive rollovers, a four-person lottery club called “The Wolverine FLL Club” from Oakland County won this massive prize. They took the lump sum of $776 million, netting about $557 million after taxes — roughly $140 million per member.
$983 Million (2025, Georgia): The most recent major Mega Millions winner claimed their prize on January 2, 2026. This anonymous Georgia winner purchased a Quick Pick ticket at a Publix supermarket in Newnan, about 30 miles southwest of Atlanta. They chose the $453.6 million lump sum. This was Georgia’s largest lottery prize ever and the first major jackpot won under the new $5 ticket format that launched in April 2025. The winner told the Georgia Lottery the prize will be “generational” and used to give back to good causes.
Most massive Mega Millions jackpot winners share one thing: they take the lump sum. More on why below.
Mega Millions Jackpot History: How It Grew to Billions
Mega Millions wasn’t always a billion-dollar game. The lottery launched in 1996 as “The Big Game” with just six states. It became Mega Millions in 2002 and has evolved several times since.
Key Changes That Enabled Bigger Jackpots
2017 Format Change: Mega Millions adjusted its number matrix from 75 white balls to 70, while increasing the Mega Ball pool from 15 to 25. This made the jackpot harder to win, which means more rollovers and bigger prizes.
Cross-Selling (2010): Mega Millions and Powerball agreed to sell each other’s tickets in all participating states. More players means faster jackpot growth.
April 2025 Major Overhaul: The most significant changes in the game’s history took effect in April 2025. Tickets increased from $2 to $5, but every ticket now includes a built-in Megaplier (2x-10x) for all non-jackpot prizes. The Mega Ball pool was reduced from 25 to 24 balls, slightly improving jackpot odds from 1 in 302.6 million to 1 in 290.5 million. The starting jackpot also increased from $20 million to $50 million.
The result? Before 2017, the largest Mega Millions jackpot was $656 million. After the changes, billion-dollar jackpots became possible — and then routine. Mega Millions has now produced eight jackpots exceeding $1 billion.
Rollover Mechanics
When no one matches all six numbers, the jackpot rolls over to the next draw. Mega Millions draws happen every Tuesday and Friday at 11:00 PM ET. During hot streaks without a winner, jackpots can climb $20-50 million per draw.
The $1.602 billion record jackpot rolled over 31 consecutive times before someone finally hit. The November 2025 Georgia jackpot rolled over 39 times — a game record.
For a complete guide to playing from Canada, see our Mega Millions Canada guide.
What Happens When You Become a Mega Millions Winner?
Winning is just the beginning. Here’s what a Mega Millions jackpot winner actually faces.
Lump Sum vs Annuity
Every Mega Millions winner chooses between two payout options:
| Option | How It Works | Typical Value |
|---|---|---|
| Lump Sum (Cash Option) | One immediate payment | ~45-50% of advertised jackpot |
| Annuity | 30 annual payments over 29 years (increasing 5% yearly) | Full advertised amount |
The advertised jackpot ($1.6 billion, for example) is the annuity value — what you’d receive over 30 years. The lump sum is significantly less because it’s the actual cash in the prize pool before investment growth.
Why most winners choose lump sum: Control. A 30-year payment schedule assumes you’ll live that long and that you don’t want to invest the money yourself. Most financial advisors suggest the lump sum if you have the discipline to manage it — or hire people who do.
US Tax Withholding
Mega Millions withholds 24% federal tax immediately on jackpot wins. But that’s just the withholding — actual federal tax liability for this income level is 37%. Winners typically owe additional taxes when they file.
State taxes vary. Some states (Florida, Texas, California) don’t tax lottery winnings. Others take up to 10%+. Georgia, where the most recent major winner resides, has a flat 5.19% state income tax.
Canadian Tax Implications
Here’s where it gets interesting for Canadians playing through XO Lotto:
Canadian tax on lottery winnings: $0. Lottery prizes aren’t taxable income in Canada. US withholding still applies — the IRS withholds 30% from non-resident alien winners (that’s you, Canada). The Canada-US tax treaty allows Canadians to potentially recover some withholding, but you’ll need a cross-border tax specialist.
Bottom line: You’ll pay US taxes on a Mega Millions win regardless of where you live, but you won’t pay Canadian tax on top of that.
Claiming Process
Winners typically have 180 days to one year to claim, depending on the state where the ticket was purchased. The smart ones sign the back of the ticket immediately, hire a lawyer and financial advisor before claiming, set up a trust or LLC for anonymity where allowed, and claim quietly to avoid press conferences if possible.
About half of US states allow anonymous claims. The rest require public disclosure of winner names.
Mega Millions Odds: Understanding Your Chances
Let’s be direct about the math. Mega Millions offers nine prize tiers, from the jackpot down to $4.
Complete Prize Tier Odds (April 2025 Format)
| Match | Base Prize | With 10x Megaplier | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 white + Mega Ball | JACKPOT | — | 1 in 290,472,336 |
| 5 white only | $1,000,000 | $10,000,000 | 1 in 12,103,014 |
| 4 white + Mega Ball | $10,000 | $100,000 | 1 in 931,001 |
| 4 white only | $500 | $5,000 | 1 in 38,792 |
| 3 white + Mega Ball | $200 | $2,000 | 1 in 14,547 |
| 3 white only | $10 | $100 | 1 in 606 |
| 2 white + Mega Ball | $10 | $100 | 1 in 693 |
| 1 white + Mega Ball | $4 | $40 | 1 in 89 |
| Mega Ball only | $2 | $20 | 1 in 37 |
Overall odds of winning any prize: 1 in 23
That last stat is important. While the jackpot odds are astronomical, you have roughly a 4.3% chance of winning something on any given ticket. Most prizes are small ($4-$20), but the lower tiers keep players engaged — and with the built-in Megaplier, even small wins can multiply significantly.
Built-In Megaplier
Under the April 2025 format, every $5 Mega Millions ticket includes a randomly assigned Megaplier (2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, or 10x) at no extra cost. This multiplies all non-jackpot prizes. That $1 million second prize? With the 10x Megaplier, it becomes $10 million.
The Megaplier doesn’t affect jackpot odds or amount — only secondary prizes.
How Canadians Can Play Mega Millions
You don’t need to cross the border to play America’s biggest lottery. XO Lotto lets Canadians purchase official Mega Millions entries online with secure Interac payments — your winnings are yours with fast CAD payouts.
Quick Steps
- Create an account at XO Lotto (19+ required)
- Deposit funds via Interac e-Transfer (CAD, no conversion hassle)
- Select Mega Millions from the lottery section
- Choose your numbers or use Quick Pick for random selection
- Confirm purchase before draw cutoff (Tuesday/Friday 11 PM ET)
Your entry is processed through official lottery retailers in participating US states. If you win, XO Lotto handles prize claims and deposits winnings directly to your account in CAD.
Want the full breakdown? Our complete Mega Millions Canada guide covers everything: number selection strategies, draw schedules, and step-by-step purchase instructions.
Why Canadians Choose XO Lotto
Play in CAD with no currency conversion fees eating into deposits or winnings. Use Interac deposits and withdrawals — the payment method you already trust. Access multiple US and international lotteries including Powerball, EuroMillions, and Lotto Max. Take advantage of responsible gaming tools to set limits and take breaks.
Ready to try? Check the current Mega Millions jackpot and grab your tickets before the next draw.
Mega Millions vs Powerball: Quick Comparison
Both are massive US lotteries available to Canadians. Here’s how they stack up:
| Factor | Mega Millions | Powerball |
|---|---|---|
| Jackpot Odds | 1 in 290.5 million | 1 in 292.2 million |
| Record Jackpot | $1.602 billion | $2.04 billion |
| Billion+ Jackpots | 8 | 6 |
| Draw Days | Tuesday, Friday | Mon, Wed, Saturday |
| Ticket Price | $5 USD | $2 USD |
| Multiplier | Built-in (2-10x) | Power Play (+$1) |
| Starting Jackpot | $50 million | $20 million |
Powerball holds the all-time US lottery record ($2.04 billion), but Mega Millions has produced more billion-dollar jackpots in recent years — eight compared to Powerball’s six. Many serious players buy both.
See our Powerball Canada guide for full details on America’s other giant lottery.
FAQ
What is the biggest Mega Millions jackpot ever won?
The largest Mega Millions jackpot winner claimed $1.602 billion USD (approximately $2.16 billion CAD) on August 8, 2023. The winning ticket was purchased at a Publix supermarket in Neptune Beach, Florida. The winner chose to remain anonymous, claiming through a trust.
Who is the most recent Mega Millions winner?
The most recent major Mega Millions winner is from Georgia, claiming a $983 million jackpot on January 2, 2026. The anonymous winner purchased a Quick Pick ticket at a Publix in Newnan, Georgia, for the November 14, 2025 drawing. They chose the $453.6 million lump sum option.
Did anyone win Mega Millions last night?
Check the Mega Millions results page for the latest winning numbers and jackpot status. Results are posted within minutes of each Tuesday and Friday draw (11 PM ET).
What is the Mega Millions jackpot today?
The current Mega Millions jackpot is displayed live on the Mega Millions lottery page. Jackpots now start at $50 million and grow with each rollover until someone wins.
Can Canadians win Mega Millions?
Yes. Canadians 19+ can play Mega Millions through platforms like XO Lotto and claim prizes if they win. There’s no citizenship requirement — only that you purchased a valid entry. US tax withholding (30% for non-residents) applies to prizes, but Canadian lottery winnings aren’t taxed domestically.
How much do Mega Millions tickets cost?
As of April 2025, Mega Millions tickets cost $5 each. Every ticket includes a built-in Megaplier (2x-10x) that multiplies non-jackpot prizes at no additional cost. The previous $2 ticket with optional $1 Megaplier format was discontinued.
How do Mega Millions winners get paid?
Winners choose between a lump sum (one payment of approximately 45-50% of the advertised jackpot) or an annuity (30 annual payments totalling the full advertised amount). Most jackpot winners choose the lump sum for immediate control of the funds.
What are the odds of winning Mega Millions?
The odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot are 1 in 290,472,336 (improved from 1 in 302.6 million after the April 2025 format change). The overall odds of winning any prize are 1 in 23, thanks to eight additional prize tiers ranging from $4 to $10 million.
Related Guides
- Mega Millions Canada: How to Play from Canada
- Powerball Canada: Complete Guide
- Canadian Lottery Winners: Biggest Jackpots Ever
- Lotto Max Canada Guide
Play responsibly. Odds of winning jackpot: 1 in 290,472,336. Players must be 19+ in most Canadian provinces. If gambling isn’t fun anymore, visit Responsible Gaming for support tools or contact Customer Support.