Empire State Review Contributor 
A single Powerball ticket sold in Arkansas has won a staggering $1.817 billion jackpot, making it the second-largest lottery prize ever awarded in the United States and the biggest Powerball jackpot of 2025. The winning numbers—04, 25, 31, 52, 59 and Powerball 19—were drawn on Wednesday, December 24, and matched by a ticket purchased at a Murphy USA gas station in Cabot, a small city just outside of Little Rock. The win has instantly transformed the unknown ticket holder into one of the wealthiest lottery winners in history.
The timing of the win added to its significance, coming on the eve of Christmas and capturing the attention of millions during one of the most festive and widely celebrated times of the year. Final ticket sales pushed the prize even higher in the hours leading up to the drawing, surpassing initial estimates. The massive payout offered the winner a choice between a 29-year annuity of the full $1.817 billion or a lump-sum cash payment of approximately $834.9 million before taxes.
This jackpot was the result of 46 consecutive Powerball drawings without a top-prize winner, a stretch that began months earlier and built public excitement with each rollover. As the prize climbed into the billions, retailers across the country reported a surge in ticket sales. Convenience stores, gas stations, and supermarkets saw long lines of hopeful players, many drawn in by the buzz surrounding the enormous potential payout and the dream of instant wealth. Holiday jackpots are known to attract higher participation, but the scale of this prize made it exceptional.
Arkansas, a state with a modest history in major lottery wins, celebrated this rare moment. The state’s lottery officials confirmed that the winning ticket was sold in Cabot, but as of Christmas Day, no winner had yet come forward. Under Arkansas law, winners have the right to remain anonymous for a period of time, and it’s expected that the claim process may begin once the holiday weekend concludes and lottery offices reopen.
While the $1.817 billion prize is the second-largest lottery jackpot ever in the United States, it still falls just short of the all-time record. That title remains with a $2.04 billion Powerball jackpot claimed in California in November 2022. This latest Arkansas win now takes its place just behind it, surpassing previous billion-dollar jackpots and becoming a defining moment in Powerball’s history.
Beyond the primary jackpot, the Christmas Eve drawing produced several other notable winners. Dozens of tickets matched five numbers without the Powerball, each earning $1 million prizes, while others secured smaller but still significant winnings. These secondary prizes serve as a reminder that even non-jackpot tickets can yield life-changing amounts.
Lottery officials nationwide used the occasion to remind players of the importance of financial planning. Past winners of major jackpots have faced everything from tax complications to legal disputes and unexpected public scrutiny. Experts typically advise winners to consult with attorneys, tax professionals, and financial planners before claiming their prize. The lump-sum payout, while tempting, comes with immediate tax liabilities, potentially reducing the final take-home amount significantly.
The broader economic impact of such large lottery jackpots also extends to the state. In Arkansas, like many other states, lottery revenue helps fund education and public programs. With the jackpot reaching such an extraordinary figure, proceeds from ticket sales will likely result in increased funding for scholarships and educational initiatives across the state. This indirect benefit underscores how lottery participation, even for non-winners, contributes to public welfare in tangible ways.
The win also sparked a wave of excitement across the country, reigniting conversations about luck, fortune, and the American dream. Media outlets, financial commentators, and social media users alike speculated on the identity of the winner and what they might do with the fortune. For many, it was a welcome distraction from more sobering news and a reminder of the transformative power of a single moment.
As markets paused for the Christmas Day holiday, with Wall Street closed following record highs earlier in the week, the Powerball jackpot dominated headlines. The extraordinary win added a dramatic exclamation point to a year filled with economic highs and shifting public sentiment. Whether or not the winner chooses to go public, their story is now part of lottery history—a tale of unprecedented luck, perfect timing, and a life forever changed on Christmas Eve.
