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The biggest lottery jackpots in history
The world's ten biggest jackpots were all won in the United States, and half were drawn since 2023.
Powerball vs. Mega Millions: how America's biggest lotteries work
Two multistate lotteries account for every prize over US$1 billion ever paid worldwide. The reason lies in their design.
BrazilMega da Virada 2025: Brazil's first billion-real jackpot
Draw 2,955 paid R$1.09 billion, almost twice the previous record, after a 12-hour delay.
EuropeEuroMillions, SuperEnalotto and El Gordo: European records
Smaller jackpots than in the US, but with unusual rules: a fixed cap, a prize shared by 90 syndicate members, and the world's largest single-day prize distribution.
HistorySix centuries of draws: a brief history of lotteries
From 15th-century Flemish towns to Mega-Sena, lotteries have long served one purpose: raising public funds without creating a new tax.
MathematicsWhy winning the lottery is so difficult: the math explained
Odds of one in 50 million are hard to picture. We compare major lotteries and explain the probabilities in everyday terms.
BehaviorWhat happens to lottery winners? What the research says
The claim that most winners go bankrupt has been repeated for decades. Stronger research tells a different story.
TriviaThe biggest shared lottery wins in history
From 90 syndicate shares in Italy to 52 winning tickets in one Mega da Virada, some of the largest prizes ended up split.
EconomicsWhere does lottery revenue go?
Only part of lottery revenue is paid back in prizes. The rest funds schools, sports, culture and social security.
GuideResponsible gambling: recognizing when lottery play stops being fun
For most people, lottery play is occasional fun. For some, it becomes a problem. Learn the warning signs and where to get help.
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