When you win the lottery, you never know what can happen. The past has seen some very sad examples of people winning large amounts of money. In one case, a woman named Evelyn Basehore won $1.4 million in 1985 and then died suddenly. The reason for this is unclear, but it is thought that she gambled away much of her money or gave it away. By the time she hit $11 million, she had lost everything, including her home, and she was living in a trailer park in Brick, New Jersey.

The $314 million Powerball jackpot in 2002 is the largest lottery jackpot ever won. Jack Whittaker was a construction worker in West Virginia, known for his cowboy hats and outgoing personality. His story should serve as a cautionary tale about the power of the lottery to ruin people’s lives. Instead of giving away his prize, Whittaker bragged about it, handing out money to diner waitresses, family members, and even strangers.

Having a large jackpot increases lottery sales and attracts free press on newscasts and news sites. It also increases the odds of jackpot carryover and increases stakes.