Lotteries remain one of the most popular forms of games of chance worldwide, attracting hundreds of millions of players every week. From record-breaking billion-dollar jackpots in the United States to massive multi-country prize pools in Europe and legendary annual draws in Spain, modern lotteries operate on a truly global scale.
On this page, we explain how lotteries work, highlight the biggest lotteries in the world, showcase historic jackpot wins, and explain how players from different countries can participate in international lotteries.
Entities & Aliases
- Powerball (US multi-state lottery game; jackpot game)
- Mega Millions (US multi-state lottery game; jackpot game)
- EuroMillions (European multi-country lottery; jackpot cap-based)
- Eurojackpot (European multi-country lottery; jackpot cap-based)
- SuperEnalotto (Italy; high rollover jackpots)
- La Primitiva (Spain)
- El Gordo (Spain; large total prize pool event)
- Bonoloto (Spain)
- Lotto 6aus49 (Germany)
- Europackpot (regional brand naming used by some platforms; treat as Eurojackpot category unless your brand defines it differently)
- Quiniela (Spain; pool betting format)
- National Lottery (UK umbrella brand; multiple games)
- Mega Sena (Brazil)
Biggest Lotteries Right Now
| Lottery | Typical top prize potential | Region | What it is (1–2 lines) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powerball | Very large jackpots (often $100M–$1B+) | USA | Multi-state jackpot lottery; huge rollovers and global attention. |
| Mega Millions | Very large jackpots (often $100M–$1B+) | USA | Another major US jackpot lottery with massive rollover potential. |
| EuroMillions | Large jackpots (commonly capped) | Europe | Multi-country lottery with big prizes and frequent high jackpots. |
| Eurojackpot | Large jackpots (commonly capped) | Europe | Multi-country lottery; often positioned as strong jackpot + decent odds. |
| SuperEnalotto | Very large rollovers | Italy | Famous for long rollover streaks that can reach enormous totals. |
| La Primitiva | Large jackpots | Spain | Iconic Spanish lottery; strong national player base. |
| Lotto 6aus49 | Moderate-to-large jackpots | Germany | Classic national lottery format; steady prizes and regular draws. |
| El Gordo | Massive total prize pool event | Spain | A seasonal draw known for distributing a very large prize pool. |
| Bonoloto | Smaller, frequent wins | Spain | More frequent draw style, typically smaller jackpots than Euro games. |
| National Lottery | Varies by game | UK | Umbrella brand covering multiple draws and formats (jackpots differ). |
| Mega Sena | Large jackpots | Brazil | Brazil’s flagship lottery with major national jackpot attention. |
| Quiniela | Pool betting prizes | Spain | Football pool-style lottery; payouts vary based on results and pool. |
What Is a Lottery?
A lottery is a regulated game of chance where players purchase tickets and select a combination of numbers. If those numbers match the official draw results, players win prizes ranging from small cash amounts to life-changing jackpots.
Most national lotteries are:
- Government-regulated
- Designed to fund public causes, such as education, sports, and infrastructure
- Structured to allow jackpots to roll over if no one wins the top prize
The Biggest Lottery Jackpots Ever Won
Modern lotteries have reached unprecedented levels over the last decade. Long rollover cycles and massive international participation have pushed jackpots into the billion-dollar range, particularly in the United States.
Biggest Lottery Wins in History (U.S.)
| Rank | Jackpot | Lottery | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.04 Billion | Powerball | Nov 7, 2022 | California |
| 2 | $1.817 Billion | Powerball | Dec 24, 2025 | Arkansas |
| 3 | $1.787 Billion | Powerball | Sept 6, 2025 | Missouri / Texas |
| 4 | $1.765 Billion | Powerball | Oct 11, 2023 | California |
| 5 | $1.602 Billion | Mega Millions | Aug 8, 2023 | Florida |
These figures underline a clear shift: billion-dollar jackpots are no longer exceptions, but part of a growing trend in global lottery design.
The Biggest Lotteries in the World Right Now
Below is an overview of the most important and widely played lotteries globally, including their jackpot potential and what makes each one unique.
1. Powerball (USA)
- Jackpot potential: No cap (has exceeded $2 billion)
- Draws: 3 times per week
- Why it stands out: The world’s most famous jackpot lottery, known for record-breaking payouts and massive rollover streaks.
2. Mega Millions (USA)
- Jackpot potential: No cap (has exceeded $1.6 billion)
- Draws: 2 times per week
- Why it stands out: Powerball’s closest rival, frequently producing nine- and ten-figure jackpots.
3. EuroMillions
- Maximum jackpot: €250 million (cap)
- Participating countries: 9
- Why it stands out: Europe’s most powerful lottery with better odds than U.S. games and consistent high jackpots.
4. Eurojackpot
- Maximum jackpot: €120 million (cap)
- Participating countries: 18+
- Why it stands out: A balanced lottery offering strong odds and large, frequently reached jackpots.
5. SuperEnalotto
- Jackpot potential: No cap (has exceeded €370 million)
- Why it stands out: Europe’s largest single-winner jackpots, often growing for years before being claimed.
6. El Gordo
- Total prize pool: €2.7+ billion annually
- Why it stands out: The largest lottery in the world by total payout, creating thousands of winners in a single draw.
7. La Primitiva
- Typical jackpot range: €10–€70 million
- Why it stands out: One of the oldest lotteries in the world, offering stable growth and frequent big wins.
8. Lotto 6aus49
- Maximum jackpot: €49 million
- Why it stands out: Focuses on regular winners rather than extreme jackpots, making it one of Europe’s most played lotteries.
9. UK National Lottery
- Typical jackpot range: €30–€60 million
- Why it stands out: A cornerstone of the UK gaming market with strong public-funding impact.
10. Mega Sena
- Jackpot potential: No cap
- Why it stands out: South America’s biggest lottery, famous for massive special draws exceeding €100 million.
How International Players Can Participate in Lotteries
Many of the world’s biggest lotteries are restricted to local ticket sales, meaning players must normally be physically present in the country where the lottery is operated.
However, lottery courier platforms like Lottofy make it possible for players from other countries to participate legally and securely.
How It Works
- A real, official ticket is purchased on your behalf in the lottery’s home country
- The ticket is registered in your name and stored digitally
- You participate in the same draw, with the same odds and jackpot
- Smaller prizes are credited automatically, while large wins are handled via official procedures
This model allows international players to access lotteries such as Powerball, Mega Millions, EuroMillions, Eurojackpot, El Gordo, and Mega Sena from one centralized platform.
Why Lottery Jackpots Keep Growing
Several factors continue to push lottery jackpots higher:
- Larger international player pools
- Longer rollover streaks
- Fixed ticket pricing
- Strong global brand recognition
- Digital access through courier services
The result is a global lottery ecosystem where record-breaking jackpots are becoming increasingly common.
Lottery at a Glance
- ✔ Government-regulated games of chance
- ✔ Billion-dollar jackpots now a recurring trend
- ✔ Global participation via courier platforms
- ✔ Major funding source for public projects worldwide
Frequently Asked Questions About Lotteries
A lottery is a regulated game of chance where players buy tickets and select numbers. If those numbers match the official draw results, the player wins a prize. Most national lotteries use part of their revenue to fund public projects such as education, healthcare, sports, and infrastructure.
Historically, Powerball has produced the largest jackpots, including prizes exceeding $2 billion. Other lotteries known for extremely large jackpots include Mega Millions, EuroMillions, SuperEnalotto, and Mega Sena.
It depends on the lottery:
Uncapped lotteries: Powerball, Mega Millions, SuperEnalotto, Mega Sena
Capped lotteries: EuroMillions (€250 million), Eurojackpot (€120 million)
Uncapped lotteries can continue to grow indefinitely until someone wins the jackpot.
If no ticket matches all winning numbers in a draw, the jackpot rolls over to the next draw. This process can repeat many times, allowing jackpots to grow into hundreds of millions or even billions.
Yes. While most lotteries only sell tickets locally, international players can participate through lottery courier services. These services purchase official tickets on the player’s behalf in the lottery’s home country.
In many countries, using a licensed lottery courier service is legal. The legality depends on local regulations, so players should always check the rules that apply in their country of residence.
Yes. When using a lottery courier service, the ticket entered into the draw is a real, official ticket, meaning the odds and jackpot are exactly the same as for local players.
Small prizes: Usually credited directly to the player’s account
Large prizes: Paid through official lottery procedures, often involving identity verification and coordination with lottery authorities
The process mirrors how local winners receive their prizes.
Jackpots are usually advertised as an annuity value, paid out over many years. Winners often have the option to choose a cash payout, which is a lower lump sum paid immediately, before taxes.
Jackpot odds vary by lottery:
Powerball: around 1 in 292 million
Mega Millions: around 1 in 302 million
EuroMillions: around 1 in 140 million
SuperEnalotto: around 1 in 622 million
Lower odds mean it is harder to win the jackpot, but prizes are typically larger.
Jackpots continue to grow due to:
– Large international player bases
– Fixed ticket prices
– Longer rollover streaks
– Strong global lottery branding
– Easier access through digital and courier platforms
These factors have made billion-level jackpots increasingly common.
