Arkansas Powerball Lottery Player Wins $1.817 Billion Jackpot on Christmas Eve
A lucky Powerball player in Arkansas has won a staggering $1.817 billion jackpot in the Christmas Eve drawing, ending a three-month streak without a top-prize winner. This life-changing win comes after final ticket sales pushed the jackpot to an unprecedented level, making it the second-largest in US history and the largest Powerball prize of 2025, according to Powerball.com. The lump sum cash payment option for this jackpot is a substantial $834.9 million.
"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."
This win comes after 46 consecutive drawings without a jackpot winner, with the last drawing that resulted in a jackpot winner on September 6, when players in Missouri and Texas shared a $1.787 billion prize. The last time a Powerball jackpot was won on Christmas Eve was in 2011, and the game has also been won on Christmas Day four times, most recently in 2013.
Powerball's odds of 1 in 292.2 million are designed to create these massive jackpots, which grow as they roll over when no one wins. However, lottery officials remind players that the odds are much better for the game's many smaller prizes. For instance, Indianapolis glass artist Chris Winters, who bought a ticket impulsively due to the high prize, might have better luck with smaller wins.
Powerball is offered in 45 states, Washington DC, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands, with tickets costing $2 each. This recent win highlights the potential for life-changing prizes in the lottery, while also emphasizing the importance of responsible gaming and the support that lottery proceeds provide for public programs and services.
