Every time the Powerball jackpot passes half a billion dollars, the same question trends: what's the biggest Powerball jackpot ever? The record is even bigger than most people guess.
Here's a look at the biggest jackpots in US history, from billion-dollar lottery draws to the record slot machine win in Las Vegas, plus what makes a jackpot grow so large.
Diamond Reels is not affiliated with Powerball, Mega Millions or any lottery. Figures are advertised annuity jackpots.
The Biggest Powerball Jackpot Ever: $2.04 Billion
The record belongs to the $2.04 billion Powerball jackpot won in November 2022. A single ticket sold in Altadena, California matched all six numbers. It's still the largest lottery prize in history.
The jackpot had rolled for about three months without a winner, and ticket sales grew as the headlines got bigger.
The Biggest US Lottery Jackpots
| Jackpot | Game | Date | Where the winning ticket was sold |
|---|---|---|---|
| $2.04 billion | Powerball | November 2022 | California |
| $1.817 billion | Powerball | December 2025 (Christmas Eve) | Arkansas |
| $1.787 billion | Powerball | September 2025 | Split: Missouri, Texas |
| $1.765 billion | Powerball | October 2023 | California |
| $1.602 billion | Mega Millions | August 2023 | Florida |
| $1.586 billion | Powerball | January 2016 | Split: California, Florida, Tennessee |
| $1.537 billion | Mega Millions | October 2018 | South Carolina |
| $1.348 billion | Mega Millions | January 2023 | Maine |
| $1.337 billion | Mega Millions | July 2022 | Illinois |
| $1.326 billion | Powerball | April 2024 | Oregon |
| $1.269 billion | Mega Millions | December 2024 | California |
Billion-dollar jackpots keep coming: Forbes reported a $1.04 billion Powerball jackpot claimed in Illinois in August 2026, and the jackpot climbed past $700 million again in late October 2026.
Editor's note: Before publishing, check whether the late-October 2026 jackpot has been won and add it if it belongs in the table.
The Runner-Up: A Christmas Eve Win
The second-biggest Powerball jackpot ever, $1.817 billion, was won on Christmas Eve 2025 by a single ticket sold in Arkansas. Just three months earlier, a $1.787 billion jackpot had been split between tickets in Missouri and Texas.
Why Billion-Dollar Jackpots Became More Common
Lottery changes over the past decade made the jackpot harder to win. In 2015 Powerball changed its number pool, which lengthened the odds to 1 in 292.2 million. Harder odds mean more rollovers, and more rollovers mean bigger jackpots. Read Powerball odds explained for the full breakdown.
The Biggest Slot Machine Jackpot Ever
The largest slot jackpot on record was won on a Megabucks machine at the Excalibur in Las Vegas in March 2003. A 25-year-old software engineer won about $39.7 million.
Megabucks is a linked progressive: machines across many casinos feed one shared jackpot. That's how a slot machine prize can reach tens of millions.
Lottery Jackpots vs Slot Jackpots
| Lottery jackpot | Progressive slot jackpot | |
|---|---|---|
| How it grows | Ticket sales roll over between draws | A slice of each bet feeds the pool |
| How often you play | A few draws a week | Every spin |
| Prize payment | Annuity or smaller cash option | Usually per the game's or casino's terms |
| Odds of the top prize | Extremely long | Very long, varies by game |
Our guide to progressive jackpots explains how slot jackpots grow.
The Jackpots Climbing at Diamond Reels
Diamond Reels runs several progressive jackpots you can watch climbing on the homepage. In October 2026:
- Aztec's Millions was over $1.7 million
- Megasaur had passed $1 million
- Spirit of the Inca was over $260,000
Jackpots change every minute, so check the lobby for current amounts.
Keep Jackpots in Perspective
Record jackpots make great stories because they're so rare. A few tips for enjoying the excitement responsibly:
- Treat a jackpot as a bonus, not a goal. The odds of any top prize are very long.
- Never raise your budget because a jackpot is big. A bigger prize doesn't make winning more likely.
- Choose games you'd enjoy without the jackpot. The base game is where most of your play happens.
- Know when to stop. Read our guide to when to stop gambling.
FAQ
What is the biggest Powerball jackpot ever?
$2.04 billion, won in November 2022 by a single ticket sold in California.
What is the biggest Mega Millions jackpot ever?
$1.602 billion, won in August 2023 by a ticket sold in Florida.
What is the biggest slot machine jackpot ever won?
About $39.7 million on a Megabucks machine at the Excalibur in Las Vegas in March 2003.
Are big jackpots more likely to be won?
No. Your odds per ticket or spin stay the same. A big jackpot just means the prize hasn't been won for a while.
The Bottom Line
From the record $2.04 billion Powerball jackpot to a $39.7 million slot win, jackpot history is full of incredible moments. Enjoy the stories, keep your play within budget, and watch the Diamond Reels progressive jackpots climb in the lobby.
Play responsibly. Diamond Reels is for players aged 21 and over. Gambling should be entertainment, not a way to make money. Set limits before you play, and if gambling stops being fun, call or text 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) for free, confidential support, or visit our Responsible Gaming page.
