Powerball and Mega Millions Raise the Lottery Bar Once Again

The US Powerball and the Mega Millions are the main contenders on the American lottery market. Ever since they were created, these two games have been rivals and they have shaped the development of the lottery in the United States.

All throughout their expansion, the Powerball and the Mega Millions have topped each other's breakthroughs, but at the beginning of August 2017, for the first time in their history, they were both offering jackpots over $300 million.

This unprecedented lottery event had players in a full-on frenzy over the two fabulous prizes because it was simply impossible to choose between the Powerball and the Mega Millions at that point. Therefore, ticket sales skyrocketed in light of these impressive increases in jackpot sizes.

To fully grasp the importance of this moment, let us tell you a bit about the cat and mouse game that two lotteries have always played. At first, they were not even allowed in the same state. The US Powerball introduced the Powerplay option, so the Mega Millions set up the Megaplier.

Every time that one of them upped their prize levels, the other went out of its way to exceed these levels and get further up ahead. It took up to 2010 for the two games to be available in the same state at the same time, and that's when the real battle of the titans began.

In 2012, the Mega Millions lottery broke all existing jackpot records with their $656 million first prize. The whole world was in shock and the game became the most talked-about lottery in history. This was a tough act to follow, but the US Powerball made it happen when it announced its brand-new set of rules.

These came with the possibility of having even larger jackpots in the game, which gave way to a potential billion-dollar jackpot. And to the surprise of Powerball officials and lottery players everywhere, this record-breaking prize actually came.

In January 2016, the US Powerball jackpot has reached the highest ever amount to be offered in a lottery, which was $1.56 billion. This was the prize for the legendary single draw, which took place on January 13th, 2016.

Lottery fans from America and all over the world wanted to play Powerball for their very own chance to be a part of the game with the $1.56 billion jackpot. It was the most popular draw in lotto history. Ever since, it was up to the Mega Millions to make some significant changes in their game so that they could get back in the limelight.

But what could top a $1.56 million jackpot? Well, this remains to be seen because as of October 2017, the Mega Millions is introducing yet another new set of rules, which could give way to a second billion-dollar jackpot.

Their aim was to get to the same level that the Powerball has reached, and they will do so in the best possible way. It is going to be a very thrilling autumn for the lottery with the biggest games in the industry having a showdown of epic proportions.

For the moment, the Mega Millions lottery has had a jackpot winner from Illinois who has scooped a legendary $393 million prize on August 11th, 2017. This was the fifth largest prize in the history of the game.

As for the Powerball, its first prize continues to get bigger and bigger. It has passed the $400 million threshold and it is expected to make it in the Powerball hall of fame. It's an exciting time in to be a part of the lottery world, so don't miss out! Good luck!