A lucky ticket holder in Arkansas won the massive $1.8 billion Powerball jackpot on Christmas Eve.
The Winning Ticket
The single winning ticket matched all six numbers: 4, 25, 31, 52, and 59, along with the red Powerball 19 and a 2x multiplier. The ticket was purchased in Arkansas, making this the state’s second Powerball win. The first Arkansas win came in 2010, according to Powerball officials.
Jackpot Size and Record
According to the official Powerball website, the jackpot reached an estimated $1.817 billion after final ticket sales. This win ranks as the second-largest lottery jackpot ever claimed in U.S. history and the biggest Powerball prize awarded this year.
Official Congratulations
“Congratulations to the newest Powerball jackpot winner! This is truly an extraordinary, life-changing prize,” said Matt Strawn, Powerball Product Group Chair and Iowa Lottery CEO. “We also want to thank all the players who joined in this jackpot streak – every ticket purchased helps support public programs and services across the country.”
Payout Options
The winner will have the option to receive the prize as an annuity totaling $1.817 billion or as a lump-sum payment of $834.9 million, both before taxes. If the annuity is selected, the payout includes an initial payment followed by 29 annual payments that increase by 5 percent each year.
Record-Setting Drawing
Tuesday night’s drawing was the 47th of this jackpot run, setting a Powerball record for the most drawings in a single jackpot cycle.
How Powerball Works
Powerball is played in 45 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. There are three drawings per week – Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays – and tickets cost $2 each. Adding the Power Play option, which can multiply winnings by two, three, four, five or 10 times, to a ticket costs an extra $1.
Odds and History
The odds of hitting the jackpot are a minuscule 1 in 292.2 million. The largest Powerball jackpot ever awarded was in 2022 when a ticket in California won a $2.04 billion grand prize.
Legal Perspective
Attorney Andrew Stoltmann, who has represented 12 lottery winners, notes that many winners lose all their winnings through bad investments, reckless spending and greedy relatives. “Unfortunately, the people who win the lottery think at that point, the journey is over. And what they don’t realize is that the journey has really just begun,” he says.
Key Takeaways
- Arkansas ticket wins $1.817 billion Powerball jackpot, second-largest U.S. prize ever.
- Winner can choose annuity ($1.817B) or lump sum ($834.9M) before taxes.
- Tuesday night was the 47th drawing of the cycle, a record for Powerball.
Closing
The Arkansas win highlights the rare chance of striking it big in the Powerball lottery. With the record-setting number of drawings and the massive payout options, the jackpot has captured the attention of players nationwide. Whether the winner opts for the annuity or the lump sum, the prize will provide a life-changing financial boost, while the continued sales of Powerball tickets support public programs across the country.
