Cash jackpots: All-time list has a new No. 1

By Peter Mucha

Inquirer Staff Writer
Louisa White of Newport, R.I., holds a ceremonial check for $336.4 million, but she took the record cash amount -- $210 million less taxes -- after winning the Feb. 11, 2012, Powerball jackpot. With her were Gerald Aubin, state lottery director, and Gov. Lincoln Chafee.
Louisa White of Newport, R.I., holds a ceremonial check for $336.4 million, but she took the record cash amount -- $210 million less taxes -- after winning the Feb. 11, 2012, Powerball jackpot. With her were Gerald Aubin, state lottery director, and Gov. Lincoln Chafee.
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Mega Millions biggest cash jackpot

More than a quarter-billion dollars.

For the first time ever, a U.S. lottery has a cash payout beyond that barrier.

Friday night, Mega Millions rolled over and the new lump-sum payout soared to $255 million, shattering the old mark set early last year. The annuity jackpot for Tuesday's drawing will be worth $356 million, the fourth biggest ever.

Low interest rates kept the cash -- a reflection of tickets sold -- from fueling a record annuity.

Here's a list of the biggest U.S. cash jackpots ever.

1. $250 million cash, Mega Millions, for March 27, 2012, drawing. Annuity: $356 million.

2. $240 million cash, Mega Millions, hit Jan. 4, 2011, by two tickets, in Idaho and Washington State. Annuity: $380 million (second highest ever).

3. $233.1 million cash, Mega Millions, hit March 6, 2007, by two tickets, in New Jersey and Georgia. Annuity: $390 million (highest ever).

4. $214 million cash, Mega Millions, hit Aug. 28, 2009, by two tickets, in New York and California. Annuity: $336 million.

5. $210 million cash, Powerball, won Feb. 11, 2012. One Rhode Island winner (biggest cash payout to one winner, most cash for Powerball). Annuity was $336.4 million.

6. $202.8 million cash, Mega Millions, won March 25, 2011. One New York winner. Annuity: $319 million (biggest annuity prize for one Mega Millions ticket).

7. $194.4. million cash, Mega Millions, hit Aug. 31, 2007, by four tickets, in New Jersey, Maryland, Texas and Virginia. Annuity: $330 million.

8. $180 million cash, Big Game (preceded Mega Millions), hit May 9, 2000, in Illinois and Michigan. Annuity: $363 million (Big Game record).

9. $177.3 million cash, Powerball, won Feb. 18, 2006. One Nebraska winner. Annuity: $365 million (record Powerball aunnity, record annuity with a single winner for any U.S. lottery).

10. $175 million cash, Mega Millions, won Nov. 15, 2005. One California winner. Annuity: $315 million.

11. $168 million cash, Mega Millions, July 2, 2004. One Massachusetts winner. Annuity: $294 million.

12. $167.7 million cash, Mega Millions, Feb. 22, 2008. One Georgia winner. Annuity: $275 million.

13. $166 million, Powerball, hit Aug. 25, 2001, by four tickets, in Delaware, Kentucky, New Hampshire and Minnesota.

14. $165 million cash, Mega Millions, May 4, 2010. One California winner. Annuity: $266 million.

15. $164.4 million cash, Powerball, won Oct. 19, 2005. One Oregon winner. Annuity: $340 million.

16. $164 million cash, Mega Millions, won Feb. 28, 2006. One Ohio winner. Annuity: $270 million.

17. $161.5 million cash, Mega Millions, won July 29, 1998. One Indiana winner. Annuity: $295.7 million.

18. $156.1 million cash, Mega Millions, won Sept. 16, 2005. One New Jersey winner. Annuity: $258 million. (Biggest one-ticket win, annuity or cash, ever in New Jersey.)

19. $153.3 million. Mega Millions, won Dec. 27, 2011. One New York winner. Annuity: $208 million.

20. $151.7 million cash, Powerball, won Nov. 2, 2011. One Connecticut ticket. Annuity: $254 million.