Lottery jackpot is the total amount of a prize or reward won in a game or lottery. It is often a significant sum. The term is also used to describe the current value of a stock or other financial instrument.

The earliest known usage of the noun jackpot is in 1951, in an article in San Mateo (California) Times. The OED considers the word to be in common use.

If you win a lottery jackpot, your first decision will be how to take the money. Typically, you can choose between a lump sum cash payout and an annuity that spreads payments out over 20 or 30 years. In either case, you’ll have to pay taxes on the prize.

A large jackpot is a huge boost to lottery sales. The jackpot also draws attention from the media and leads to more people playing. Lottery officials are careful to balance the odds and prizes so that winning a jackpot is not too easy. Otherwise, ticket sales will fall.

The best strategy for anyone who wins the lottery is to work with a team of professionals, including an attorney, accountant and financial planner or wealth management adviser. They can help you weigh the pros and cons of each payout option and ensure that you’re managing your winnings in accordance with tax law. They can also help you find the right bank to deposit your funds in. Some banks limit the amount of money they will accept, but most will let you deposit as much as you want.