A staggering $1.8bn (£1.36bn) Powerball jackpot has been claimed by a single ticket sold in Arkansas, delivering an astonishing Christmas windfall to one lucky winner. The prize, drawn on Wednesday night, stands as one of the largest in American lottery history and arrives just in time for the festive season.
A Record-Breaking Jackpot Run
The monumental prize had swelled to $1.817bn after no one matched all the numbers in Monday's draw, triggering a frenzy of last-minute ticket sales. According to the Powerball website, this is now the second-largest lottery prize ever recorded in the United States and the biggest Powerball jackpot of 2025.
The winning numbers that changed one person's life were 4, 25, 31, 52, 59, and the Powerball 19. The odds of securing the jackpot were a mind-boggling one in 292.2 million. Wednesday's draw was the 47th in this particular jackpot run, marking the longest sequence of drawings without a top prize winner in the game's history, as confirmed by the Multi-State Lottery Association.
The Winner's Life-Changing Choice
The newly minted multi-millionaire now faces an enviable decision. They can opt for the full $1.8bn paid out as an annuity over 29 years, or choose a lump-sum cash payment of approximately $834.9m (£623m) before federal and state taxes are applied. Powerball tickets cost $2 each.
"This is truly an extraordinary, life-changing prize," remarked Matt Strawn, Chair of the Powerball Product Group and CEO of the Iowa Lottery. The win is particularly notable for Arkansas, as it is only the second time the state has produced a Powerball jackpot winner; the first was back in 2010.
Festive Fortune and Public Benefit
Lottery history shows a festive trend, with the jackpot having been won once on Christmas Eve in 2011 and four times on Christmas Day itself. This latest gargantuan win follows the previous Powerball jackpot, a $1.787bn (£1.33bn) prize shared by two tickets in Missouri and Texas on 6 September.
While the top prize captivates the public, nine secondary prizes of $1m (£747,000) were also claimed from Monday's draw. Large jackpots significantly boost ticket sales, which in turn increases revenue for state lottery funds. These funds are vital, typically supporting public education and other state spending initiatives.
The excitement was palpable among hopeful players. New York musician Richie Vitale, 71, who bought five tickets, philosophised: "The chance of winning the lottery is, like, less than getting hit by lightning, and sometimes I think my lottery is going to get hit by lightning."
Meanwhile, John Campbell from Long Beach, California, expressed altruistic plans should he win, stating he would share his fortune with the homeless. "I'm tired of seeing them sleeping on the street," he said.
The record for the largest US lottery prize remains the $2.04bn (£1.52bn) Powerball jackpot won in California in 2022. For the anonymous Arkansas winner, however, their $1.8bn prize is certainly enough to ensure a Christmas they will never forget.
