redout22

You're actually better now to take it over time. When you could get 10-12% return on your money in the stock market it was better to take lump sum. Now the average ror is 5% over that time period. (adjusted for inflation). Plus most people don't know how to manage money as its usually a blue collar family that wins and they blow through it in less than 5 years. They'd be better off taking it over time to adjust to the wealth.

Up front. With any sort of investment knowledge it compounds to a much greater value than if you did over time. There is also the inherent risk that the lottery company may not exist in X number of years. There's a risk that the dollar may be worth significantly less (it will be due to inflation but also perhaps due to a collapse of the currency). There are many reasons to take the money up front besides the fact that you want to blow it on a yacht. Ask anyone in finance.