The lottery jackpot is the sum of all the money in the prize pool for a particular drawing. A single winning ticket holder is eligible to claim the entire jackpot if all the numbers on their ticket match those randomly selected in the drawing. Some states also offer smaller prizes for partial matches, while others have special rules for multi-state games such as Powerball and Mega Millions.

Super-sized jackpots attract attention and drive lottery sales. Often, the top prize will carry over to the next drawing, creating a self-fulfilling cycle of ever-increasing ticket purchases and a larger jackpot. Lottery proceeds are used to fund state programs such as public education, while a percentage of the total is paid to retailers and lottery commissions.

In some cases, a jackpot will be split by several winners. One winner will be awarded the lump sum payout, while the other will receive an annuity that spreads payments over a set number of years (either 20 or 30). A lump-sum payment is a one-time payment of the total prize amount; whereas, an annuity will pay out periodic amounts each year for the rest of your life or until you die.

If you are lucky enough to win the lottery, it is important to handle your newfound wealth responsibly. This means securing the ticket and consulting with legal and financial professionals to make sound decisions regarding taxes, investments, asset management, etc. It is also wise to consider establishing a blind trust to protect your privacy and avoid scams, jealousy, and other issues that can arise for lottery winners.