When it comes to jackpots, there are plenty of winners who have taken home big prizes. Some of these jackpots are so large that they could make an individual winner among the world’s wealthiest.
These jackpots may be some of the biggest in history, but they aren’t easy to win. Here are some tips for you to increase your chances of winning a lottery jackpot.
1. Elmer Sherwin’s $4.6 million Megabucks win
One of the biggest jackpot wins in history was won by a World War II veteran. In 1989, Elmer Sherwin was at the Mirage Casino in Las Vegas and won $4.6 million on the Megabucks slot machine.
Sherwin’s winnings inspired him to continue playing the slots and he even went on a memorable trip around the world. He also donated a large portion of his winnings to charity.
Sherwin continued to play the slots once or twice a week in hopes of hitting the jackpot again. Sixteen years later, he scored another jackpot at the Cannery Casino in Las Vegas – this time it was a $21 million win.
2. Ken Heywood’s $1.6 billion Powerball win
Ken Heywood of Baltimore walked into his local Chevron station on Saturday morning and found out he’d won $1.6 billion. He said it will pay off debts, help him with his wedding costs and a move.
He plans to give 10% of his winnings to the church and rehire laid off workers at his construction company. He also wants to set up a foundation.
In his darkest moments, Whittaker has sometimes wondered if the Powerball win was worth it. He’s been left with things money can’t cure: His daughter’s cancer, a long list of indiscretions documented in newspapers and court records, and an inability to trust others.
3. New Jersey’s $175 million Mega Millions win
One of the biggest jackpot wins in history came from New Jersey, where Michael Weirsky of Alpha in Warren County matched all five numbers. He took home a lump sum of $175 million after taxes.
The New Jersey Lottery said it was a big win for the state’s retailers and players alike. The retailer that sold Weirsky’s ticket, QuickChek in Phillipsburg, received a $30,000 bonus check for selling the winning ticket.
Another lucky winner was Richard Wahl, who purchased a winning ticket from a Lukoil gas station mini-mart in Riverdale, Morris County. He claimed his prize at the lottery’s headquarters in Trenton. He is now the newest Mega Millions millionaire.
4. San Diego’s $340 million Mega Millions win
A lucky winner in California woke up to an amazing surprise. Earlier this month, a ticket sold at a San Diego liquor store matched all six numbers to win the $522 million Mega Millions jackpot.
Laarni Bibal, a 59-year-old from El Cajon, California, bought her ticket in early June at Sorrento Deli Mart, where she often shops. She hid it for a few weeks, but eventually came out to claim her prize.
She took the cash option and will receive $340 million before taxes. She says she plans to buy a home and pay off her bills. She also said she will use the money to help her family with their financial needs.
5. Pennsylvania’s $516 million Mega Millions win
Five Pennsylvanians are about to be richer than ever after winning a $516 million Mega Millions jackpot. The winning ticket was sold at a 7-Eleven in Levittown, Bucks County.
The lottery says the winning ticket matched all six white balls drawn on Friday. They were 6, 9, 17, 18, and 48, as well as the gold Mega Ball 8.
The winners decided to form a trust so they could claim their prize without publicly revealing their identities. They also chose to take a $348 million cash, lump-sum payment.
6. California’s $522 million Mega Millions win
A single ticket sold in San Jose matched all six numbers in Tuesday night’s Mega Millions drawing, claiming the fifth-largest jackpot in history. The winner will receive an estimated $522 million prize, of which $308.1 million is cash, according to the lottery.
It’s the fourth jackpot win of this year, joining four other grand prizes, including a $142 million jackpot received in Ohio last May. The previous Mega Millions jackpot was $656 million won in 2012, shared by winners in Illinois, Kansas and Maryland.
