Highlights:
- Arkansas Powerball ticket wins $1.817 billion jackpot
- Winning numbers matched all five white balls and the red Powerball
- Jackpot is the second-largest lottery prize ever claimed
- Winner can choose $834.9 million lump sum or annuity payments
- Odds of winning were 1 in 292.2 million
A Powerball player in Arkansas struck it big on Christmas Eve, winning a staggering $1.817 billion jackpot in one of the largest lottery prizes in history. The win marks the second-largest Powerball jackpot ever claimed and instantly places the anonymous ticket holder among the biggest lottery winners worldwide.
According to Powerball officials, the single winning ticket matched all six numbers drawn on Christmas Eve: 4, 25, 31, 52, 59, and the red Powerball number 19. By correctly matching all five white balls and the Powerball, the ticket secured the massive jackpot prize.
The winner now faces a major financial decision. They can choose to receive the full $1.817 billion prize through an annuity paid out over 29 years, or take a one-time lump-sum cash payout estimated at $834.9 million before taxes. Historically, most jackpot winners opt for the lump-sum option, despite the significant tax deductions.
Lottery officials have not released the identity of the winner, which is standard practice in many states. This win is particularly notable for Arkansas, as it marks only the second time a Powerball jackpot-winning ticket has ever been sold in the state since the game began.
The largest single-ticket Powerball jackpot in history remains the $2.04 billion prize won in November 2022 by a player in Altadena, California. The Arkansas win now firmly holds second place on the all-time list of Powerball jackpots.
Powerball tickets cost $2 each, making the life-changing prize accessible to millions of players. However, the odds of winning the jackpot are extremely slim, about 1 in 292.2 million, highlighting just how rare and extraordinary the Arkansas win truly is.
Founded in 1992, Powerball is one of the most popular lottery games in the United States. It is currently played in 45 states, as well as Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands. Drawings are held multiple times a week, attracting tens of millions of players whenever jackpots grow to massive amounts.
Lottery winnings in the United States are subject to federal income taxes, with rates ranging from 24 per cent to 37 per cent, depending on the total amount and how the prize is claimed. In most states, winners must also pay state taxes, which can significantly reduce the final take-home amount.
Still, even after taxes, the Arkansas Powerball winner will walk away with a fortune measured in hundreds of millions of dollars. The Christmas Eve drawing has already earned a festive nickname among lottery fans, with many calling it a true “holiday miracle” and one of the most memorable lottery moments in recent years.
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