BREAKING: A single Powerball ticket sold in Arkansas has just won a staggering $1.817 billion jackpot, marking one of the largest lottery wins in U.S. history. The winning numbers drawn on December 24, 2025, were 25-59-4-52-31, with the Powerball number being 19. This win is monumental, with a cash option payout of $834.9 million.
This jackpot is not only the largest Powerball prize awarded this year, but it ranks as the second-largest lottery jackpot ever won in the U.S. Previously, the record was set at $2.04 billion in November 2022. The latest jackpot underscores the excitement surrounding the Powerball game, which has captivated millions across the nation.
Officials report that this is the second time the Powerball jackpot has been won in Arkansas; the first instance occurred in 2010. Nationwide, eight tickets matched all five white balls in this drawing, with notable wins in New York and Pennsylvania.
The odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are steep, sitting at approximately 1 in over 292 million. Tickets cost just $2 each and are available in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. It’s important to note that over half of ticket sale proceeds remain in the jurisdiction where the ticket was sold, benefiting local communities.
Since its inception in 1992, the Powerball has generated over $36 billion for various good causes supported by U.S. lotteries, significantly contributing to education funding. The New York Lottery, for instance, reported contributing $3.7 billion in Lottery Aid to Education for the fiscal year 2022-2023.
As excitement builds around this extraordinary win, lottery officials urge participants to play responsibly. Those who may struggle with gambling addiction can seek help through the New York State’s confidential HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369).
Stay tuned for updates on the identity of the lucky winner and what this life-changing win means for them. Will they opt for the lump sum, or choose the annuity payments? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: this Christmas Eve will be remembered as a historic moment in lottery history.
For more lottery results and information, visit the New York Lottery website.
