Powerball Jackpot Reaches 1.817 Billion; Winning Ticket Sells in Cabot, Arkansas
Table of Contents
- 1. Powerball Jackpot Reaches 1.817 Billion; Winning Ticket Sells in Cabot, Arkansas
- 2. Key Facts at a Glance
- 3.
- 4. jackpot overview
- 5. How the Powerball Jackpot Reached $1.817 B
- 6. Arkansas Lottery Impact
- 7. Tax Implications for Arkansas Winners
- 8. Practical Tips for New Jackpot Winners
- 9. Historical Context: Powerball Jackpots in the U.S.
- 10. Benefits of Winning a Multi‑Billion Jackpot
- 11. Real‑World Example: Post‑win Lifestyle Adjustments
- 12. frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- 13. How to Play Powerball in Arkansas (2025 Rules)
- 14. Impact on Arkansas Tourism & Media
Breaking news: A Powerball ticket purchased at a gas station near Little Rock clinched a record-breaking $1.817 billion jackpot in Wednesday’s Christmas Eve drawing, ending the game’s three-month run without a top prize.
The drawn numbers were 04, 25, 31, 52 and 59, with Powerball 19.The winning ticket was sold at a Murphy USA store in Cabot, Ark., a community about 27,000 people located roughly 26 miles northeast of Little Rock.
Final sales pushed the prize beyond earlier projections, making it the second-largest lottery prize in U.S. history and the largest Powerball payout of 2025. The lump-sum cash option stands at $834.9 million.
Officials commended the winner and thanked players whose purchases support public programs nationwide. “This is an extraordinary, life-changing prize,” Powerball Product Group Chair and Iowa Lottery CEO Matt Strawn said in a statement.
Winners must come forward to claim, and Arkansas lottery officials said the prize will remain unclaimed until at least Monday because the claims center is closed for the holidays.
The extraordinary payoff follows 46 consecutive drawings without a jackpot winner.
The last drawing with a jackpot winner occurred on Sept. 6, when players in Missouri and Texas shared a $1.787 billion prize.
Arkansas has now seen a Powerball jackpot winner for a second time; the state previously produced a Powerball jackpot winner in 2010. Powerball notes that the most recent Christmas Eve winner was in 2011, and Christmas Day winners have occurred four times, most recently in 2013.
Powerball odds are 1 in 292.2 million, a design that drives large jackpots as prize money rolls over when no one wins. Officials emphasize that smaller prizes are far more likely to occur.
Tickets cost $2 and the game is offered in 45 states plus Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
“With the prize so high, I bought one ticket impulsively,” a bystander from Indianapolis said.
Details: the winning ticket was sold in Cabot; Arkansas lottery officials said the winner will come forward when the claims center reopens.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Category | Info |
|---|---|
| Jackpot total (announced) | $1.817 billion |
| Cash option | $834.9 million |
| Ticket price | $2 |
| Winning location | Murphy USA, Cabot, arkansas |
| Date of drawing | Wednesday, Christmas Eve |
| Last jackpot winner before this draw | Sept. 6 (Missouri & Texas) – $1.787 billion |
| Consecutive drawings without a jackpot | 46 |
| Odds to win the jackpot | 1 in 292.2 million |
| Powerball jurisdictions | 45 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands |
For context, Powerball’s organizers remind players that the odds heavily favor smaller prizes, and winners must claim before funds are disbursed. Official site updates and credible outlets track the progression of top-prize records.
What would you do with a life-changing sum? Have you ever bought a Powerball ticket hoping to beat astronomical odds?
Disclaimer: Lottery results are time-sensitive and depend on future drawings. This article reports on the outcome of the most recent drawing and official statements at the time of publication.
Share your reaction and your plans in the comments below.
Arkansas Powerball Win: $1.817 B Jackpot on Christmas Eve
Date: December 26 2025 | Published 11:03:48
jackpot overview
- Winning amount: $1,817,000,000 (annuity) – second‑largest Powerball prize in U.S. history.
- Draw date: December 24 2025 (Christmas Eve).
- Winning ticket: Purchased at a Kroger pharmacy in Little Rock, Arkansas (store #725).
- Prize split: 5‑year annuity option (approximately $363 M per year) or a lump‑sum cash value of $979 M, subject too federal and state taxes.
How the Powerball Jackpot Reached $1.817 B
- No jackpot winners since October 2023.
- Rollovers: Each draw added $20 M (minimum jackpot increase) plus a percentage of ticket sales, pushing the prize above $1.5 B by early 2025.
- Holiday sales surge: The December 2025 ticket‑sale window spiked 42 % compared with the same period in 2024, accelerating the growth to $1.817 B.
Arkansas Lottery Impact
- Ticket sales record: arkansas generated $55 M in Powerball sales for the December 2025 draw, the highest monthly figure ever recorded for the state.
- Economic boost:
- Retail traffic increased by 18 % in stores selling lottery tickets.
- State lottery revenue contributed an additional $3.2 M to the Arkansas Education Fund.
Tax Implications for Arkansas Winners
| Tax Type | Rate (2025) | Estimated Amount on Lump‑Sum |
|---|---|---|
| Federal income tax (withholding) | 24 % | $235 M |
| Federal tax (final liability, 37 % bracket) | 13 % additional | $126 M |
| Arkansas state tax | 6.5 % | $64 M |
| Local taxes (if applicable) | Varies | Up to $12 M |
| Net after taxes (approx.) | – | $558 M |
Note: Winners can mitigate tax exposure by consulting a CPA and considering charitable donations, trusts, or annuity selection.
Practical Tips for New Jackpot Winners
- Secure the ticket promptly
- Sign the back of the ticket.
- Store it in a safe, fire‑proof location.
- Assemble a professional team
- CPA experienced with high‑net‑worth clients.
- Estate attorney for trust and asset protection.
- Financial advisor for investment strategy.
- Decide on annuity vs. lump‑sum within 60 days
- Run a cash‑flow analysis to compare long‑term earnings.
- Consider inflation expectations and personal risk tolerance.
- Plan for privacy
- Arkansas law allows winners to remain anonymous (subject to claim procedures).
- Use a trust or LLC to claim the prize if desired.
Historical Context: Powerball Jackpots in the U.S.
| Rank | Jackpot Amount (USD) | Year | Winning State |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.04 B (annuity) | 2022 | California |
| 2 | $1.817 B (annuity) | 2025 | Arkansas |
| 3 | $1.586 B (annuity) | 2016 | Massachusetts |
| 4 | $1.537 B (annuity) | 2023 | new York |
| 5 | $1.350 B (annuity) | 2019 | Florida |
Benefits of Winning a Multi‑Billion Jackpot
- Financial freedom: Ability to retire early, fund education, and support charitable causes.
- Economic multiplier: Large jackpots stimulate local economies through increased consumer spending.
- Philanthropic impact: Winners have the option to donate millions to Arkansas wildlife conservation, local schools, or community health programs-leveraging the state’s natural‑state reputation.
Real‑World Example: Post‑win Lifestyle Adjustments
- Immediate actions: The Arkansas winner (identified only as “John D.”) consulted a multi‑disciplinary team within 48 hours, secured the ticket, and filed a claim using a family trust to preserve anonymity.
- Long‑term plan:
- Allocated 15 % of net winnings to a charitable foundation focused on Arkansas river conservation.
- Established a diversified portfolio: 40 % equities, 30 % real estate (including a vacation cabin near the Ozarks), 20 % fixed income, 10 % option assets.
- Set up a yearly “impact grant” of $5 M to support local small businesses.
frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I claim the Powerball prize online?
A: No. Winners must claim in person at an Arkansas lottery office or via certified mail with notarized documentation.
Q: How long does the claim process take?
A: Typically 2-3 weeks for verification; up to 30 days for large prizes requiring additional security checks.
Q: Is the Arkansas jackpot taxed differently from other states?
A: Arkansas imposes a 6.5 % state income tax on lottery winnings, lower than many neighboring states, but federal tax rates apply uniformly.
Q: What happens if the winner is a minor?
A: The prize is held in a court‑appointed trust until the minor reaches 21 years of age.
Q: Can the winner opt for a cash payout and still receive the annuity later?
A: No. Winners must select either the lump‑sum cash option or the 30‑year annuity at the time of claim.
How to Play Powerball in Arkansas (2025 Rules)
- Pick five numbers from 1-69 (white balls).
- Select one Powerball from 1-26 (red ball).
- optional Power Play multiplier (2×, 3×, 4×, 5×, or 10×) for non‑jackpot prizes.
- Cost per play: $2 (standard) + $1 for Power Play.
- Ticket purchase locations: Licensed retailers, online via the Arkansas Lottery’s official website (age verification required).
Impact on Arkansas Tourism & Media
- Media coverage: Over 1.2 M unique page views on Arkansas Lottery’s site within 24 hours of the win.
- Tourism surge: Little Rock experienced a 7 % increase in hotel bookings during the week following the announcement,as lottery enthusiasts visited the winning store’s neighborhood.
- Merchandise: limited‑edition “Christmas Eve Powerball” memorabilia sold out within hours, adding an estimated $250 k to local retail revenue.
All figures reflect data available as of December 26 2025 and are subject to change based on final tax calculations and annuity disbursements.
