Christmas Eve Miracle: Single Ticket in Arkansas Claims $1.817 Billion Powerball Prize
The holiday season of 2025 will forever be remembered as a life changing moment for one lucky individual in the Natural State. On Wednesday night, December 24, a single ticket sold in Arkansas matched all six numbers to claim a staggering $1.817 billion Powerball jackpot. This monumental win ended a three month drought and delivered what is arguably the ultimate Christmas gift in the history of the United States lottery.
The winning numbers for the Christmas Eve drawing were white balls 04, 25, 31, 52, 59, and the red Powerball 19. According to lottery officials, the final jackpot amount climbed higher than initial estimates due to a late surge in ticket sales as players across 45 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands rushed to secure their chance at the massive prize.
A Record Breaking Christmas Miracle
This $1.817 billion prize stands as the second largest jackpot in Powerball history and the largest lottery prize awarded in 2025. It trails only the world record $2.04 billion Powerball jackpot won by a California player in November 2022. For Arkansas, this marks a historic milestone as it is only the second time a Powerball jackpot winning ticket has been sold in the state, with the first occurring back in 2010.
Winning on a holiday is a rare occurrence for the game. Historically, the Powerball jackpot had only been won on Christmas Eve once before, in 2011. While the sweepstakes has seen four winners on Christmas Day throughout its history, the 2025 Christmas Eve win is particularly significant due to the sheer size of the prize. Matt Strawn, the Powerball Product Group Chair, expressed his excitement in an official statement, noting that such an extraordinary prize is truly life changing for the winner and provides a boost to public programs supported by ticket sales.
Cash Option and Tax Implications
The lucky ticket holder now faces a monumental decision: whether to accept the full $1.817 billion prize as an annuity or take a one time lump sum payment. The annuity option consists of 30 payments over 29 years that increase by 5% each year. However, most winners historically choose the cash option, which for this Christmas Eve drawing is valued at an estimated $834.9 million before taxes.
Winning such a large sum also comes with significant tax responsibilities. A mandatory federal withholding of 24% will immediately be applied to the winnings, and the winner will likely be subject to the top federal marginal tax rate of 37%. Additionally, Arkansas is one of the states that taxes lottery winnings at the state level. The state 5.9% tax rate means the winner will contribute a substantial amount back to Arkansas state programs, which include college scholarships and local community services.
The Long Road to a Winner
The road to this $1.817 billion win was a long one. The jackpot had rolled over for 46 consecutive drawings since it was last hit on September 6, 2025, when players in Missouri and Texas split a $1.787 billion prize. This 47 drawing run set a new record for the longest jackpot cycle in Powerball history.
The odds of matching all six numbers are 1 in 292.2 million. These slim odds are intentionally designed to allow the jackpot to grow to the astronomical levels that capture the public imagination. While the jackpot prize is the headline, the Christmas Eve drawing also produced millions of smaller winners, including several players who won $1 million or $2 million prizes by matching the five white balls.
What Happens Next for the Winner?
In Arkansas, lottery winners have a specific timeframe to claim their prizes. Officials from the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery are urging the winner to sign the back of their ticket immediately and keep it in a secure location. It is also highly recommended that the winner consults with financial and legal professionals before heading to the lottery headquarters in Little Rock to claim their prize.
While some states allow lottery winners to remain anonymous, Arkansas law regarding lottery anonymity varies depending on the prize size and specific legislation. The winner will need to decide how to handle the sudden influx of fame and fortune that comes with being the newest member of the billionaire club.
As the state of Arkansas celebrates this historic win, the Powerball jackpot will reset to an estimated $20 million for the next drawing. For one person, however, the 2025 holiday season has provided a fortune that will last for generations to come.