A single lottery ticket sold in the US state of Arkansas has won the $1.817 billion Powerball jackpot, marking one of the largest lottery prizes ever awarded and the second-biggest jackpot in Powerball history.
The winning ticket matched all required numbers in the Christmas Day Powerball draw, ending a long streak of rollovers that pushed the jackpot past the billion-dollar threshold.
Powerball Winning Numbers for the Christmas Draw
According to official results, the winning numbers drawn were:
04, 25, 31, 52, 59
Powerball: 19
Lottery officials confirmed that only one ticket matched all six numbers, securing the entire jackpot.
One of the Largest Lottery Wins in US History
The $1.817 billion prize ranks among the largest lottery payouts ever recorded in the United States and stands as the second-largest Powerball jackpot to date.
The jackpot grew over several weeks after repeated draws failed to produce a top-tier winner, allowing the prize pool to accumulate to historic levels.
Cash Option and Annuity Choice
As with all Powerball jackpot wins, the Arkansas winner now faces a payout decision:
- Lump-sum cash option: approximately $834.9 million, before federal and state taxes
- Annuity option: the full jackpot amount paid out over 30 annual installments
Most Powerball winners historically choose the lump-sum option, though the final decision depends on individual financial planning and tax considerations.
About Powerball in the United States
Powerball is one of the largest and most widely played lotteries in the United States. Tickets cost $2 and are sold across 45 states, as well as Washington DC, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands.
To win the jackpot, players must correctly match:
- Five white balls drawn from a pool of 69
- One red Powerball number drawn from a pool of 26
The odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are approximately 1 in 292 million, making billion-dollar prizes extremely rare.
Why Powerball Jackpots Grow So Large
Powerball jackpots increase when no ticket matches all required numbers. Each rollover adds unclaimed prize money to the next draw, while rising jackpots typically lead to higher ticket sales nationwide.
Holiday period draws, including Christmas and New Year’s, often attract increased participation, accelerating jackpot growth.
Powerball Christmas Draw Details
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Lottery | Powerball |
| Country | United States |
| Winning State | Arkansas |
| Draw Date | December 25 |
| Jackpot Amount | $1.817 billion |
| Winning Numbers | 04, 25, 31, 52, 59 |
| Powerball | 19 |
| Cash Option | ~$834.9 million |
| Jackpot Winners | One |
FAQs: $1.817 Billion Powerball Jackpot
Where was the winning Powerball ticket sold
The winning ticket was sold in the US state of Arkansas.
Is this the largest Powerball jackpot ever
No. It is the second-largest Powerball jackpot in history.
How much can the winner take home in cash
The estimated lump-sum cash payout is approximately $834.9 million before taxes.
How rare is a Powerball jackpot win
The odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are about 1 in 292 million.
With this win, Powerball continues to make history. The fact that a single ticket hit the entire jackpot on Christmas Day makes it even more special.