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By Jordan King
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Someone in Arkansas won the $1.817 billion Powerball Jackpot on Christmas Eve—the second-largest lottery jackpot ever won in America.
If the winner takes the cash option instead of annual payments, the cash lump sum’s value is estimated at $834.9 million, according to Powerball.
Why It Matters
The $1.817 billion jackpot marks not only a life-changing moment for the Arkansas winner but also highlights the rapidly inflating size of lottery prizes in the U.S. This drawing became the second-largest overall lottery jackpot in U.S. history, only surpassed by the $2.04 billion Powerball prize won in California in 2022. Record jackpots draw intense public interest and massive ticket sales, with proceeds supporting public programs in all participating jurisdictions.
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What To Know
The winner matched all six numbers drawn: 4, 25, 31, 52, 59 and Powerball 19.
Eight tickets matched all five white balls nationwide to win $1 million each, the winners coming from California, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and two in New York. Additionally, 114 tickets won $50,000 each, and 31 tickets won $100,000 each.
The odds of winning the jackpot were 1 in 292.2 million.
With the Arkansas win, the Powerball jackpot cycle ended after 47 consecutive drawings, which is the most in a single jackpot run.
The jackpot last hit in September 2025, when two tickets in Missouri and Texas shared a $1.787 billion jackpot.
What People Are Saying
Powerball Product Group Chair and Iowa Lottery CEO Matt Strawn said: "Congratulations to the newest Powerball jackpot winner! This is truly an extraordinary, life-changing prize. 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."
Attorney Andrew Stoltmann, who has represented lottery winners in the past, told NBC Miami: "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."
What Happens Next
The Arkansas ticket holder now faces the decision of choosing between the lump sum and annuity payout options, both before deduction of federal and applicable state taxes. The identity of the jackpot winner had not been made public as of Wednesday night. All major lottery winners must claim prizes in accordance with state regulations, which may allow for anonymity in some instances. Winners of large jackpots are frequently advised to consult with financial and legal professionals to manage their windfall responsibly.
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