US Lottery Facts & Statistics (2026): Powerball Odds, Mega Millions Odds, Records

The U.S. lottery refers to government-operated lotteries run by individual states/territories, plus multi-jurisdiction games like Powerball and Mega Millions. This page compiles verified facts about jackpot odds, game structure, sales totals, and major records—each tied to a source.

On this page:

• Powerball odds and facts
• Mega Millions odds and facts
• Record jackpots
• U.S. lottery industry facts
• Methodology
• FAQ
• Sources & references

Powerball odds and facts

Number of possible Powerball ticket combinations (jackpot odds):

292,201,338 (Powerball)

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Odds of winning the Powerball jackpot:

1 in 292,201,338 (Powerball)

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Powerball ticket price:

Powerball tickets are $2 per play. (Powerball (MSLA))

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Cost to buy every possible Powerball number combination (simple math):

If each play is $2, then 292,201,338 combinations would cost $584,402,676 (before taxes/fees, and without accounting for sales cutoffs, printing limits, or any practical constraints). Source values: combinations and $2 ticket price from Powerball. (Powerball odds; Powerball ticket price)

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Mega Millions odds and facts

Mega Millions ticket price (current game):

Mega Millions tickets cost $5.00 per play and include a multiplier. (Mega Millions)

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Odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot (current game):

1 in 290,472,336 (Mega Millions)

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How the Mega Millions odds changed in 2025:

Mega Millions announced that jackpot odds improved to 1:290,472,336 from 1:302,575,350 beginning with the April 8, 2025 drawing (with 24 Mega Balls instead of 25). (Mega Millions (news release))

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Record jackpots

Largest Powerball jackpot ever won (official list):

$2.04 billion (Nov. 7, 2022). (Powerball (Top Ten Jackpots))

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Largest Mega Millions jackpot (official list):

$1.602 billion (Aug. 8, 2023, won in Florida). (Mega Millions (About / Top Jackpots))

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U.S. lottery industry facts

How many U.S. states run lotteries?

NASPL states that 45 U.S. states offer government-operated lotteries (plus D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands). (NASPL)

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First modern state lottery in the U.S.:

NASPL identifies the start of the modern U.S. lottery industry as March 1964 with the launch of the New Hampshire Sweepstakes. (NASPL)

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Total U.S. lottery sales (recent fiscal year):

NASPL reports that during fiscal year 2024, U.S. lottery sales totaled over $113.3 billion. (NASPL)

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Bottom line: Powerball and Mega Millions are designed with extremely long jackpot odds, while overall U.S. lottery sales remain large enough to generate significant funding for state beneficiaries—details vary by jurisdiction and program.

Methodology

• Primary sources first: Powerball and Mega Millions odds/pricing come from the official game sites and official game communications.
• Industry totals: Lottery footprint and U.S. sales totals come from NASPL (industry association for lotteries in North America).

FAQ

What are the odds of winning the Powerball jackpot?

1 in 292,201,338. (Powerball)

What are the odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot?

1 in 290,472,336 under the current game rules. (Mega Millions)

How many U.S. states have lotteries?

NASPL reports 45 U.S. states offer government-operated lotteries (plus D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands). (NASPL)

Sources & references

• Powerball — Prize chart and jackpot odds (292,201,338)
• Powerball — Ticket price, participating jurisdictions, top jackpots list
• Mega Millions — Current ticket price and jackpot odds (290,472,336)
• Mega Millions — 2025 game change (odds and $5 price)
• Mega Millions — Top jackpot list (record $1.602B on Aug. 8, 2023)
• NASPL — Lottery footprint and FY2024 U.S. sales totals
• NASPL — New Hampshire Sweepstakes (1964) and modern U.S. lottery history