The lottery buzz is hitting a fever pitch again — and this time, Powerball is stealing the spotlight. The jackpot has officially crossed $1 billion, marking the fourteenth time a U.S. lottery prize has reached that jaw-dropping level. Big dreams are officially back on the table.
Not long ago, Mega Millions was also flirting with the billion-dollar mark. After more than five months of rollovers, the jackpot was finally cracked on Friday, November 14, 2025, when a ticket sold in Georgia matched all five numbers plus the Mega Ball. That win paid out $980 million, making it the eighth-largest Mega Millions jackpot ever.
And the surprises didn’t stop there.
Just three weeks later, after only four additional rollovers, another Mega Millions jackpot hit. A ticket purchased in New Jersey matched all the numbers on Tuesday, December 2, winning $90 million, with a cash option of $41.9 million.
Where Mega Millions Stands Now
After resetting to $50 million, the Mega Millions jackpot has rolled over a few more times and is once again climbing.
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Current jackpot: $90 million
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Cash option: $40.8 million
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Ticket price: $5 per play
The drawing on Tuesday, December 16, didn’t produce a jackpot winner. The numbers drawn were:
20 – 24 – 46 – 59 – 65, with the Mega Ball 7
That means — you guessed it — another rollover.
For reference, the winning numbers from Friday, December 12, were 10 – 50 – 55 – 58 – 59, with the Mega Ball 5.
When’s the Next Mega Millions Drawing?
The next Mega Millions drawing takes place at 11:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, December 19, 2025.
Recent Mega Millions Jackpot Build-Up
Here’s how the current streak has grown:
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Tuesday, December 16: $80 million
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Friday, December 12: $70 million
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Tuesday, December 9: $60 million
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Friday, December 5: $50 million
Powerball News Making Headlines
While Mega Millions keeps climbing, Powerball is already in record territory. A $1.8 billion Powerball winner in Missouri has stepped forward and chosen the $410 million cash option, proving lightning really can strike.
How Long Do You Have to Claim a Florida Lottery Prize?
If you’re holding a winning ticket in Florida:
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You have 180 days (six months) from the draw date to claim your prize.
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If you choose the cash option, it must be claimed within 60 days of the drawing.
How Hard Is It to Win Mega Millions?
Let’s be real — the odds are steep.
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Your chance of matching all five white balls plus the Mega Ball is 1 in 290,472,336.
Still, someone always beats the odds.
Can Lottery Winners Stay Anonymous in Florida?
Florida law requires the lottery to release winner details, including name, city, game, and prize amount. However:
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Winners of $250,000 or more get a 90-day delay before their information becomes public, unless they waive it.
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Legal experts say there are strategies to protect privacy if you win.
Biggest Mega Millions Jackpots Ever
As of December 16, 2025, these are the largest Mega Millions prizes in history:
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$1.58 billion – August 8, 2023 (Florida)
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$1.537 billion – October 23, 2018 (South Carolina)
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$1.348 billion – January 13, 2023 (Maine)
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$1.337 billion – July 29, 2022 (Illinois)
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$1.22 billion – December 27, 2024 (California)
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$1.128 billion – March 26, 2024 (New Jersey)
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$1.05 billion – January 22, 2021 (Michigan)
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$980 million – November 14, 2025 (Georgia)
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$800 million – September 10, 2024 (Texas)
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$552 million – June 4, 2024 (Illinois)
The Largest U.S. Lottery Jackpots of All Time
There have now been 14 lottery jackpots in U.S. history that reached or topped $1 billion — and only one ever crossed $2 billion.
Top highlights include:
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$2.04 billion Powerball – November 7, 2022 (California)
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$1.79 billion Powerball – September 6, 2025 (Missouri & Texas)
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$1.73 billion Powerball – October 11, 2023 (California)
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$1.586 billion Powerball – January 13, 2016 (Multiple states)
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$1.58 billion Mega Millions – August 8, 2023 (Florida)
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$1.537 billion Mega Millions – October 23, 2018 (South Carolina)
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$1.348 billion Mega Millions – January 13, 2023 (Maine)
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$1.337 billion Mega Millions – July 29, 2022 (Illinois)
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$1.326 billion Powerball – April 6, 2024 (Oregon)
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$1.269 billion Mega Millions – December 27, 2024 (California)
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$1.128 billion Mega Millions – March 26, 2024 (New Jersey)
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$1.25 billion Powerball – Pending as of December 16, 2025
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$1.08 billion Powerball – July 19, 2023 (California)
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$1.05 billion Mega Millions – January 22, 2021 (Michigan)
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