The holiday season in Arkansas turned into a dream for a lucky ticket holder after a single Powerball ticket sold in the state matched all six winning numbers in Wednesday’s drawing.
A Record-Breaking Win
Powerball officials announced on Christmas Day that the ticket, purchased in Arkansas, matched the numbers 4, 25, 31, 52, 59 and a Powerball of 19. The prize of $1.817 billion is the second largest in U.S. lottery history, surpassed only by a $2.04 billion Powerball jackpot won in California in November 2022. It is also the second Powerball jackpot ever won in Arkansas.
Official Reaction
In a press release, Matt Strawn, Powerball Product Group Chair and Iowa Lottery CEO, said: “Congratulations to the newest Powerball jackpot winner! This is truly an extraordinary, life-changing prize,” and added, “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.”
Where the Ticket Was Sold
Arkansas lottery officials revealed that the winning ticket was bought at a Murphy USA gas station in Cabot. The identity of the winner will not be known until at least Monday, when a claims center reopens after the holidays. Under Arkansas law, a lottery winner may remain anonymous for up to three years, so the public may not learn the winner’s name for some time.
Choosing the Payout
The jackpot holder can select either an annuitized payment of $1.817 billion or a lump-sum option of $834.9 million. Both figures are before taxes, which are described as “hefty.” The annuitized option would spread payments over 30 years, while the lump sum would provide a single, large check.
Other Winners and Second-Tier Prizes
Eight additional tickets matched all five white balls in Wednesday’s drawing, earning the second-tier $1 million prize. Two of those tickets were sold in New York, and the remaining six were sold in California, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia.
Odds and Game Details
Powerball’s odds of 1 in 292.2 million are designed to generate large jackpots that grow with each rollover when no one wins. Lottery officials note that the odds are far better for the game’s many smaller prizes. Tickets cost $2 and the game is offered in 45 states plus Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
A Personal Perspective
Indy-based glass artist Chris Winters, who purchased a ticket impulsively, said on Wednesday, “With the prize so high, I just bought one kind of impulsively. Why not?”
Largest U.S. Lottery Jackpots in History
- $2.04 billion: Nov. 7, 2022; California (Powerball)
- $1.817 billion: Dec. 24, 2025; Arkansas (Powerball)
- $1.787 billion: Sept. 6, 2025; Missouri, Texas (Powerball)
- $1.765 billion: Oct. 11, 2023; California (Powerball)
- $1.602 billion: Aug. 8, 2023; Florida (Mega Millions)
- $1.586 billion: Jan. 13, 2016; California, Florida, Tennessee (Powerball)
- $1.537 billion: Oct. 23, 2018; South Carolina (Mega Millions)
- $1.348 billion: Jan. 13, 2023; Maine (Mega Millions)
- $1.337 billion: July 29, 2022; Illinois (Mega Millions)
- $1.326 billion: Apr. 6, 2024; Oregon (Powerball)
Key Takeaways
- A single Arkansas ticket won a $1.817 billion Powerball jackpot, the second largest U.S. lottery prize ever.
- The winning numbers were 4, 25, 31, 52, 59 and Powerball 19.
- The ticket was sold at a Murphy USA gas station in Cabot, and the winner’s identity will remain confidential until at least Monday.
- The jackpot holder can choose a $1.817 billion annuitized payout or a $834.9 million lump sum, both before taxes.
- Eight other tickets matched five white balls for $1 million prizes in states across the country.
The unexpected win has sent waves through Arkansas and the broader lottery community, highlighting how a single ticket can change a life forever. The state’s lottery officials and the national Powerball organization celebrate the moment while reminding players that every ticket supports public programs and services.
