Arkansas player wins .817 billion Powerball jackpot on Christmas Eve.
In a momentous event for lottery enthusiasts, a Powerball ticket purchased in Cabot, Arkansas, has won a staggering jackpot of .817 billion during the Christmas Eve drawing, bringing an end to a three-month period without a top-prize winner. This monumental win signals a significant moment in Powerball history, marking the second-largest jackpot ever recorded in the United States and the largest Powerball prize awarded in 2025.
The winning numbers were identified as 04, 25, 31, 52, and 59, with the Powerball number being 19. Lottery officials from Arkansas announced that the ticket was sold at a Murphy USA store in Cabot, a city located approximately 26 miles northeast of Little Rock with a population of around 27,000 residents. On Christmas Day, the store’s phone was unanswered and the location was reported closed for the holiday.
Final ticket sales have pushed the jackpot over initial expectations, leading to a lump-sum cash option of 4.9 million for the lucky ticket holder. The win follows an unusual streak of 46 consecutive drawings where no one successfully matched all six numbers. The last winning ticket prior to this was sold on September 6, when jackpots of .787 billion were won by players in Missouri and Texas.
This latest win is notable as it marks only the second time a Powerball jackpot has been claimed by a ticket sold in Arkansas, the first occurring in 2010. The last time a Powerball jackpot was won on Christmas Eve was in 2011, although the game has seen wins on Christmas Day on four different occasions, the most recent being in 2013.
Powerball tickets are priced at each and are available for purchase in 45 states, along with Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The game’s structure focuses on generating sizable jackpots, with odds of 1 in 292.2 million. These odds contribute to exceptional prizes as they accumulate over time when no winners are present. Lottery officials emphasize that while the jackpot amounts attract significant attention, the game also offers various smaller prizes with improved odds.
With the announcement of this life-changing win, lottery officials celebrated the newest Powerball millionaire, highlighting the vital role ticket purchases play in supporting public programs and services across the nation. This unexpected victory is sure to inspire excitement and hope among players eager for their shot at a transformative jackpot.
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