Quick Answer: The biggest powerball winners have claimed jackpots over $2 billion. Edwin Castro holds the record — $2.04 billion in November 2022. Right now, the Powerball jackpot is $2.34 billion CAD ($1.7 billion USD). Your winnings are yours — fast CAD payouts. Next draw: Saturday 10:59 PM ET.
These powerball winners aren’t lottery legends or urban myths. They’re real people — a hospital worker from Massachusetts, a group of friends called “The Breakfast Club,” an immigrant from Los Angeles — who matched six numbers and became overnight billionaires.
What did they do with the money? Did they stay anonymous? And could a Canadian ever join their ranks?
This guide covers the 10 biggest powerball winners of all time, their incredible stories, and what Canadians need to know about playing Powerball from Canada.
The 10 Biggest Powerball Winners of All Time
Here’s every powerball jackpot winner who claimed more than $750 million, ranked by prize amount:
| Rank | Jackpot Amount | Date | Winner(s) | Location | Cash Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.04 billion | Nov 7, 2022 | Edwin Castro | California | $997.6M |
| 2 | $1.787 billion | Sept 6, 2025 | 2 winners (unclaimed) | Missouri & Texas | ~$870M |
| 3 | $1.765 billion | Oct 11, 2023 | Theodorus Struyck & Group | California | $774.1M |
| 4 | $1.586 billion | Jan 13, 2016 | 3 winners (shared) | CA, FL, TN | $983.5M (split) |
| 5 | $1.326 billion | April 6, 2024 | Cheng Saephan, Duanpen Saephan & Laiza Chao | Oregon | $621.4M |
| 6 | $1.08 billion | July 19, 2023 | Yanira Alvarez | California | $558.1M |
| 7 | $842.4 million | Jan 1, 2024 | “The Breakfast Club” (3 winners) | Michigan | $425.2M |
| 8 | $768.4 million | March 27, 2019 | Manuel Franco | Wisconsin | $477M |
| 9 | $758.7 million | Aug 23, 2017 | Mavis Wanczyk | Massachusetts | $480.5M |
| 10 | $754.6 million | Feb 6, 2023 | Becky Bell | Washington | $407.2M |
Data as of December 2025. Amounts are pre-tax.
California dominates the list with four of the top 10 wins. The state’s population (40 million) and mandatory public disclosure rules make powerball winners more visible than in states allowing anonymity.
What Happened to These Powerball Winners?
Numbers tell part of the story. But the real question everyone asks: what did these powerball winners do with their money?
Edwin Castro — $2.04 Billion (2022)
Edwin Castro became the biggest powerball jackpot winner in history when his Quick Pick ticket matched all six numbers in November 2022.
The Los Angeles resident bought his winning ticket at Joe’s Service Center in Altadena, California. He chose the lump sum of $997.6 million — roughly $628.5 million after federal taxes.
Castro stayed relatively quiet after his win, though public records show he’s purchased several luxury properties in the Hollywood Hills. California law requires lottery winners to go public, so his identity was never in question.
The store that sold the ticket received a $1 million bonus from the California Lottery.
Mavis Wanczyk — $758.7 Million (2017)
When Mavis Wanczyk won $758.7 million, she became the largest single-ticket Powerball winner at the time. The 53-year-old hospital worker from Chicopee, Massachusetts bought her ticket at a Handy Variety store in Watertown.
At her press conference — held just one day after the draw — Wanczyk famously said: “I had a series of bad things happen to me this year. This is like the last thing I ever expected.”
She took the $480.5 million lump sum (about $336 million after taxes) and immediately quit her job at Mercy Medical Center, where she’d worked for 32 years.
“I just want to sit back and relax,” she told reporters. She’s largely stayed out of the spotlight since.
Manuel Franco — $768.4 Million (2019)
Manuel Franco was just 24 years old when he claimed his $768.4 million Powerball jackpot — one of the youngest major powerball winners ever.
The Wisconsin native bought his ticket at a Speedway gas station in New Berlin. He waited nearly a month to come forward, using the time to assemble a financial team and get his affairs in order.
At his press conference, Franco described the moment he realized he’d won: “I didn’t know what to do. I literally was screaming at myself in the car.”
He took the lump sum of $477 million (about $326 million after taxes) and said he planned to “do a lot of good” with the money.
“The Breakfast Club” — $842.4 Million (2024)
On New Year’s Day 2024, a group of three friends who called themselves “The Breakfast Club” won $842.4 million — the first Powerball jackpot ever won on January 1st.
The trio bought their winning ticket at Food Castle in Grand Blanc, Michigan. They’d made a pact years earlier: whenever the jackpot got big enough, they’d pool their money and play together.
One member told lottery officials: “We’ve been playing together for years whenever it got really big. We always said if we won, we’d take care of each other.”
They took the cash option of $425.2 million, splitting it three ways. These powerball winners proved that playing with friends can pay off.
The Oregon Trio — $1.326 Billion (2024)
Cheng Saephan, his wife Duanpen, and friend Laiza Chao split the $1.326 billion Powerball jackpot in April 2024. Their winning ticket was purchased at a Plaid Pantry convenience store in Portland.
Cheng, a Laotian immigrant who’d been battling cancer, told reporters through an interpreter: “We’ve always wanted to pay for our own healthcare and now we can.”
The group took the lump sum of $621.4 million (about $422 million after federal taxes) and said they planned to focus on healthcare costs and helping their families.
Powerball Winners Who Stayed Anonymous
Not every one of these powerball winners holds a press conference. In states that allow anonymity, many jackpot winners choose to stay in the shadows.
Notable anonymous winners include:
$1.537 billion (2018) — A single ticket sold in South Carolina. The winner waited nearly a year to claim the prize, then collected through a trust. Their identity has never been revealed.
$1.348 billion (2023) — Won in Maine, claimed anonymously. State law allows winners to remain private.
$1.58 billion (2023) — Won in Florida. Despite Florida’s broad public records laws, this winner used a legal trust structure to maintain privacy.
Why stay anonymous? Financial advisors often recommend it. Sudden wealth attracts attention — not all of it welcome. Some powerball winners have faced lawsuits, estranged family members, and even threats after going public. If you’re wondering what to do if you win the lottery, privacy planning should be near the top of your list.
What Powerball Winners Actually Take Home
That billion-dollar headline number? It’s not what powerball winners actually pocket. Here’s how the money breaks down:
Lump Sum vs. Annuity
Every Powerball jackpot winner faces a choice:
Annuity option: Receive the full advertised amount, paid in 30 annual installments over 29 years. Each payment increases 5% annually.
Cash option: Take a one-time lump sum equal to roughly 45-55% of the advertised jackpot. This is the actual cash in the prize pool.
Most financial advisors — and most powerball winners — choose the lump sum. Control over the money, investment flexibility, and the reality that 29 years is a long time.
Taxes on Powerball Winnings
After the lump sum reduction comes taxes:
| Tax Type | Rate | Example ($1B Cash Value) |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Tax (US residents) | 37% | $370 million |
| State Tax (varies) | 0-13% | $0-130 million |
| Net for US Winner | — | $500-630 million |
For Canadian powerball winners, the math changes significantly:
| Tax Type | Rate | Example ($1B Cash Value) |
|---|---|---|
| US Federal Tax (non-resident) | 30% | $300 million |
| Canadian Tax | 0% | $0 |
| Net for Canadian Winner | — | $700 million |
Canadians actually keep more of a Powerball jackpot than most Americans, since Canada doesn’t tax lottery winnings and the 30% US withholding is lower than the combined federal + state taxes in many US states.
Has a Canadian Ever Won Powerball?
No Canadian has won a Powerball jackpot — yet. But Canadians have won significant US lottery prizes.
In 2016, a player from Cornwall, Ontario won $1 million USD on Powerball through an online lottery service. Known only as “P,” he was watching his son’s hockey game when the draw happened. He flew to New Jersey to claim his prize in person.
The reason no Canadian has hit the top prize is partly mathematical: Canadians make up a tiny fraction of Powerball ticket buyers compared to the 45 US states where the game is played. But nothing prevents a Canadian from becoming one of the next powerball winners.
Key facts for Canadians:
Yes, Canadians can play. Powerball’s official rules state: “You do not have to be a U.S. citizen or U.S. resident to play Powerball.”
Yes, Canadians can claim prizes. Non-US residents can collect any prize, including the jackpot. You’ll need to travel to the US state where the ticket was purchased for major prizes.
Tax advantage. Canadian powerball winners keep more after taxes than most American winners, since Canada doesn’t tax lottery winnings.
For a complete guide on playing from Canada, see our Powerball Canada guide.
Why Powerball Jackpots Keep Getting Bigger
The biggest powerball winners have all won since 2016. That’s not a coincidence.
In October 2015, Powerball changed its format: the main number pool expanded from 59 to 69 balls, while the Powerball pool reduced from 35 to 26 balls.
The result? Jackpot odds dropped from 1 in 175 million to 1 in 292 million.
Harder odds mean fewer winners. Fewer winners mean more rollovers. More rollovers mean bigger jackpots — and bigger paydays for future powerball winners.
Before 2016, only one Powerball jackpot had ever exceeded $500 million. Since then, there have been more than a dozen billion-dollar prizes across Powerball and Mega Millions combined.
The current jackpot — $2.34 billion CAD ($1.7 billion USD) — has been building since September 2025. That’s 45+ consecutive draws without a grand prize winner.
Where Powerball Winners Come From
Some states produce more powerball winners than others. Here are the top performers:
| State | Total Jackpot Wins | Notable Wins |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana | 39 | Multiple $100M+ prizes |
| Missouri | 31 | $1.787B (2025, shared) |
| Minnesota | 22 | $228M (2019) |
| Kentucky | 20 | $426M (2012) |
| Pennsylvania | 18 | Multiple winners |
| California | 17 | $2.04B (2022), $1.765B (2023), $1.08B (2023) |
California has fewer total wins than Indiana, but claims four of the 10 largest jackpots ever. That’s because California’s massive population buys more tickets during monster jackpots.
Indiana’s high win count comes from consistent play rather than jackpot chasing. The state also has favorable demographics for lottery participation.
Advice From Powerball Winners
Several powerball winners have shared their advice publicly. Common themes emerge:
1. Don’t Rush to Claim
Manuel Franco waited nearly a month. The $1.537 billion South Carolina winner waited almost a year. There’s no penalty for taking time to prepare.
Most states give powerball winners 180 days to one year to claim prizes. Use that time to hire a financial team, secure your ticket, and get your affairs in order.
2. Sign the Ticket Immediately
An unsigned lottery ticket is like cash — anyone holding it can claim the prize. Every financial advisor and lottery official recommends signing your ticket immediately upon purchase.
3. Stay Quiet
Winners who announced their luck on social media or told extended family often faced the most problems. Mavis Wanczyk went public within 24 hours and later said the attention was overwhelming.
Those who waited, assembled teams, and kept things private generally reported smoother transitions.
4. Take the Lump Sum (Usually)
While the annuity protects against blowing through the money too fast, most financial experts recommend the cash option if you have the discipline to invest wisely.
The annuity’s 5% annual increase doesn’t account for potential higher investment returns. And 29 years is a long time — you may not live to collect all payments.
Current Powerball Jackpot: Join the Powerball Winners
As of December 2025, the Powerball jackpot stands at $2.34 billion CAD ($1.7 billion USD) — the second-largest in history.
The cash value is approximately $770 million USD. For a Canadian winner, that would mean roughly $539 million USD after the 30% federal withholding — about $750 million CAD.
Draws happen every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 10:59 PM ET.
Canadians can play Powerball through XO Lotto without crossing the border. Tickets are purchased from authorized US retailers on your behalf. If you win, you own that ticket and can claim the full prize. Licensed and regulated — your winnings are yours.
FAQ
These are the most common questions about powerball winners:
Who won the biggest Powerball jackpot ever?
Edwin Castro won the biggest Powerball jackpot in history — $2.04 billion on November 7, 2022. His ticket was purchased at Joe’s Service Center in Altadena, California. He took the lump sum of $997.6 million, receiving approximately $628.5 million after federal taxes.
Has a Canadian ever won the Powerball jackpot?
No Canadian has won the Powerball jackpot yet. However, Canadians have won smaller US lottery prizes. In 2016, a player from Cornwall, Ontario won $1 million USD on Powerball. Canadians can legally play and claim any Powerball prize, including the jackpot.
How much does a Powerball winner actually take home?
It depends on the option chosen and location. The cash value is typically 45-55% of the advertised jackpot. After federal taxes (37% for US residents, 30% for non-residents), powerball winners keep roughly 50-70% of the cash value. For a $1 billion cash prize, a Canadian winner would take home approximately $700 million.
What happened to the $2 billion Powerball winner?
Edwin Castro, who won $2.04 billion in November 2022, has largely stayed out of the spotlight. Public records show he purchased several luxury properties in the Hollywood Hills area of Los Angeles. California’s mandatory disclosure laws prevented him from remaining anonymous, but he’s given few interviews since his initial press conference.
Can you stay anonymous if you win Powerball?
It depends on the state where you purchased the ticket. States like South Carolina, Maine, and Delaware allow anonymity. California, New York, and others require public disclosure. Some powerball winners in disclosure states use trusts or LLCs to maintain partial privacy.
What are the odds of winning the Powerball jackpot?
The odds of matching all five numbers plus the Powerball are 1 in 292,201,338. However, the overall odds of winning any Powerball prize are much better at 1 in 24.9. The minimum prize is $4 for matching just the Powerball.
How long do Powerball winners have to claim their prize?
It varies by state, but most give powerball winners 180 days to one year. Some states offer even longer windows. There’s no advantage to claiming quickly — many financial advisors recommend taking time to assemble a team and create a plan before coming forward.
Do Powerball winners go broke?
Some lottery winners have faced financial difficulties, but it’s not as common as media reports suggest. Larger jackpot winners (over $100 million) tend to fare better than smaller winners, likely because they can afford professional financial management. The biggest powerball winners have generally maintained their wealth.
Related Guides
Join the ranks of powerball winners — responsibly. 19+ only. Odds of winning jackpot: 1 in 292 million. If gambling isn’t fun anymore, visit Responsible Gaming for support tools.
Follow XO Lotto: Facebook | Instagram | X (Twitter)