Mega Millions, a popular multi-state lottery in the U.S., launched on August 31, 1996, with its first drawing on September 6, 1996. Since its inception, Mega Millions has had numerous large jackpots, with some reaching over a billion dollars in recent years. The jackpots have been won in various states, including Florida, South Carolina, Maine, Illinois, California, and New Jersey, among others. For example, the largest Mega Millions jackpot was $1.602 billion, won on August 8, 2023, in Neptune Beach, Florida. Other notable jackpots include $1.537 billion won on October 23, 2018, in South Carolina, $1.35 billion on January 13, 2023, in Maine, and $1.34 billion on July 29, 2022, in Illinois. More recent jackpots include $1.22 billion won in California in December 2024 and $1.13 billion in New Jersey in March 2024. The game has evolved over time, including ticket price changes and jackpot size increases, to improve odds and increase prize amounts. The latest major change increased ticket prices from $2 to $5 starting in April 2025 to support larger jackpots and better odds.