Inside America's lottery empire...how Mega Millions and Powerball grew so big [VIDEO]

Is this the secret to today’s enormous jackpots? The main prizes for the Mega Millions and Powerball have been on the rise since the two struck a deal to cross-sell tickets in each others' member states in 2010. But there’s much more to the story. CNBC investigates in this fascinating documentary.

Here's 8 of the biggest lottery jackpots up to 2019 that will astound you [VIDEO]

This video list of giant wins includes $564 Million - Marie Holmes of North Carolina, $587.5 Million shared by Matthew Good and the Hill Family, $590.5 Million - Gloria MacKenzie, $648 million dollars (2013)- Steve Tran and Ira Curry, $656 Million Dollars - three groups of people, $758.7 Million - Mavis L. Wanczyk of Chicopee, Massachusetts, and $1.537 billion and $1.586 billion.

These Powerball lottery winners gave great advice that could save you millions

These Powerball lottery winners gave great advice that could save you millions

$293 million Powerball winner Cindy Hill holds the microphone to daughter Jaiden, as husband Mark and sons Jason and Cody look on. They won half of the $587.5 million Powerball jackpot in that draw. Photo: Dave Kaup/Reuters

When a Forbes Magazine writer wrote about an Arizona Powerball win in 2012, she gave some good advice from the anonymous winners on how to handle their win.

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Ellen asks $1.6 Billion Powerball winners how it felt to win ... no surprise there!

"It's a dream," said John Robertson, a $1.6 Billion Powerball shared winner, to Ellen Degeneres on The Ellen Show, "and I don't want to wake up right now!" John and Lisa collected a third share in the 2016 draw, which amounted to nearly $529 million. The couple spoke to her on the popular daily show about their gigantic win and also revealed to Ellen when they bought tickets.

Which lottery games are plunging in popularity and how can you take advantage of it?

Which lottery games are plunging in popularity and how can you take advantage of it?

Is a $3 Million game still worth playing any longer? New York Lottery winner James Jess thinks so.

It's all about the numbers. Mega Millions and US Powerball continue to break records for high jackpot figures. Smaller games are feeling the pinch as players leave the low figure prizes behind.

The big-money appeal is attractive for many players. But by how much?

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