Arkansas Player Wins $1.817 Billion Powerball Jackpot on Christmas Eve, Second-Largest U.S. Lottery Prize
An Arkansas winner claimed the $1.817 billion Powerball jackpot on Christmas Eve, choosing a $834.9 million lump-sum option; the second-largest lottery prize and 1-in-292.2-million odds.
PBS NewsHourAn Arkansas Powerball player has won $1.87 billion in a Christmas Eve drawing. It's the 2nd largest jackpot in U.S. history
BBC NewsJingle bills: Arkansas Powerball player strikes $1.8bn jackpot on Christmas Eve
USA TODAYSomeone won the Christmas Eve Powerball jackpot. Check your numbers here.
New York Daily NewsArkansas Powerball player wins $1.8 billion lottery jackpot
Overview
An Arkansas player matched all Powerball numbers to win the $1.817 billion jackpot on Christmas Eve, marking Arkansas's second top-prize lottery win since 2010.
The prize offers a lump-sum cash option of $834.9 million, with the full annuity totaling $1.817 billion over 29 years, both before taxes.
Powerball tickets cost $2 and carry 1-in-292.2-million odds; the game is offered in 45 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
That December 24 draw followed 46 consecutive drawings without a winner; the previous top prize was won on September 6 by Missouri and Texas players sharing $1.787 billion.
Officials note proceeds fund public programs; Powerball has had four Christmas Day wins, most recently in 2013, and the odds remain 1 in 292.2 million.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources present the Powerball jackpot story with a neutral tone, focusing on factual reporting without evaluative language. The coverage highlights the winning ticket details, prize options, and statistical odds, while including quotes from lottery officials. The structure is straightforward, emphasizing the event's significance without bias or selective emphasis, ensuring a balanced narrative.
FAQ
The winning ticket was sold at a retailer in Cabot, Arkansas (a Murphy USA location reported), and the winning numbers were 04, 25, 31, 52, 59 and Powerball 19.
The lump-sum cash option is $834.9 million before taxes; mandatory federal withholding is 24% and additional federal and Arkansas state taxes will apply, significantly reducing the final payout (estimates in reporting put after-tax proceeds roughly around $500 million, though exact net depends on final tax liabilities).
Under Arkansas law, winners of $500,000 or more may remain anonymous for three years, and the ticket holder has 180 days from the drawing date to claim the prize in Arkansas.
The $1.817 billion prize is the second-largest U.S. lottery jackpot in history and the largest Powerball prize of 2025; last-minute ticket sales pushed the advertised jackpot higher than earlier estimates, contributing to the $1.817 billion total.
Powerball officials say proceeds from ticket sales help fund public programs and services across participating jurisdictions, with a portion of ticket revenue allocated to state lotteries and public programs, as noted by Powerball leadership statements.
