Whenever Powerball rolls over a few times, it takes over the news, and "Powerball winner" becomes one of America's top searches. Some of these prizes have crossed $2 billion.
Here are the ten biggest Powerball jackpots in history, why they grow so big, and how jackpots work in the casino games you can play today.
The 10 Biggest Powerball Jackpots in History
| # | Jackpot | Date won | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.04 billion | 7 Nov 2022 | California |
| 2 | $1.817 billion | 24 Dec 2025 | Arkansas |
| 3 | $1.787 billion | 6 Sep 2025 | Missouri, Texas |
| 4 | $1.765 billion | 11 Oct 2023 | California |
| 5 | $1.586 billion | 13 Jan 2016 | California, Florida, Tennessee |
| 6 | $1.326 billion | 6 Apr 2024 | Oregon |
| 7 | $1.08 billion | 19 Jul 2023 | California |
| 8 | $1.04 billion | 12 Aug 2026 | Illinois |
| 9 | $842.4 million | 1 Jan 2024 | Michigan |
| 10 | $768.4 million | 27 Mar 2019 | Wisconsin |
The record $2.04 billion jackpot, won by a single ticket in California in 2022, is still the largest lottery prize ever. The 2026 record so far is the $1.04 billion won in Illinois in August.
Why Powerball Jackpots Get So Big
Rollovers
When nobody matches all six numbers, the jackpot rolls over to the next draw. With jackpot odds of 1 in 292.2 million, long runs without a winner are common. Some have passed 40 straight draws.
More draws, more growth
Powerball draws three times a week, so a rolling jackpot can climb fast. The bigger it gets, the more tickets are sold, which pushes it higher still.
Annuity vs cash
The headline number is the annuity value, paid out over decades. Winners who take a one-time cash payment receive a much smaller lump sum, often around half the advertised figure, before taxes.
For what the odds really mean, read Powerball Odds Explained.
How Casino Jackpots Grow
Casino jackpots work on a similar idea, with a few key differences.
Progressive jackpots
A small slice of every qualifying bet feeds a shared prize pool that keeps growing until someone wins it. Unlike a lottery, there's no draw: a progressive can drop on any spin. You can see the live progressive total on the Platinum Reels homepage. Learn more in Progressive Jackpots at Platinum Reels.
Fixed jackpots in bonus features
Many newer slots have fixed jackpot levels inside their bonus rounds, often called Mini, Minor, Major and Grand. In Shadow Gods, filling all 15 positions in the Coin Feature awards the Grand bonus, and in Ebenezer's Gold, Scrooge's Vault awards Mini to Grand jackpots. See how Hold & Spin works.
| Powerball | Casino progressive | |
|---|---|---|
| How it grows | Ticket sales and rollovers | A slice of every qualifying bet |
| When it pays | At the draw, three times a week | Can drop on any spin |
| Smaller prizes | Eight lower tiers | Regular game wins and features |
Dream Big, Play Smart
Big jackpots are fun to dream about, but they're never a plan. Set a budget first; our casino budget guide makes it simple. And if you ever do win big, read what to do after a big jackpot win.
FAQ
What is the biggest Powerball jackpot ever?
$2.04 billion, won by a single ticket in California on 7 November 2022.
What is the biggest Powerball jackpot of 2026?
As of November, $1.04 billion, won in Illinois in August 2026.
Why do Powerball jackpots get so high?
The jackpot rolls over every time nobody matches all six numbers, and with odds of 1 in 292.2 million, long runs without a winner are common.
How is a progressive slot jackpot different?
A progressive grows from a slice of every qualifying bet and can be won on any spin, rather than at a scheduled draw.
Chase a Jackpot of Your Own
Powerball draws three times a week. Platinum Reels' progressive jackpots can drop any time.
Players must be 21 or older. Please play responsibly. Platinum Reels is not affiliated with Powerball or the Multi-State Lottery Association.
