The $1.5 billion dollar Powerball jackpot is the largest amount in lottery history. When no winners were announced last Saturday when the jackpot was at $900 million, it’s possible that many people danced a silent jig knowing not only that the jackpot would grow larger, but that the chance to win it was still possible.
But we as accountants and current/future CPAs are keen on numbers. And when it comes to what the odds are of winning the lottery, we know that the word “slim” doesn’t come close. Yet crunch the numbers as we may, we can’t help but purchase a few lottery tickets or pool together amongst family, friends, and coworkers to partake in that very slim chance of winning. And why not? It’s all in good fun. And besides—the lucky winner could be you!
So in light of tomorrow’s drawing, we thought we’d share some fun national lottery facts that really puts the lottery into perspective.
- The first lottery was launched in 1994. 20 years later, it has created 3,700 millionaires.
- 85% of winners choose to remain anonymous.
- The odds of winning the lottery are 350 billion to one. Yet a family from Tipton, West Midlands has had three separate jackpot wins, totaling $3.25 million.
- The most drawn Lotto ball is 38—it has been drawn 314 times since 1994.
- 18 Lottery-funded films, including The King’s Speech and Billy Elliot, have won a total of 31 Baffas and 15 Oscars.
- 99% of surveyed winners still play National Lottery games after they have won, and 70% are convinced that they will win again.
- So far, the largest jackpot with one ticket was won by Gloria MacKenzie of Zephyrhills, Florida in 2013. She won $590.5 million dollars.
- The average number of cars that millionaire lottery winners purchase is 4.5.
- People are more likely to do the following than win the lottery:
- Die from an asteroid strike: 1 in 74,817,414
- Become a movie star: 1 in 1,505,000
- Get struck by lightning: 1 in 1,101,000
- Bowl a 300 game: 1 in 11,500
- 52% of winners who won $1 million or more left their jobs
So if you’ve already bought some tickets, we’re wishing you and your family and friends the best of luck in winning the largest Powerball Jackpot in history! And if you haven’t bought any tickets yet, there’s still plenty of time! Happy Lottery games, everyone, and may the odds be every in your favor.
Sources: 20 Amazing Facts from 20 years of the National Lottery, 10 Crazy Things More Likely to Happen to You Than Winning the Powerball Jackpot, & How to Win the National Lottery: Move to Birmingham & Don’t Pick the Number 13.