A Powerball lottery ticket sold in Arkansas won a massive jackpot of $1.817 billion, or over 56.48 billion baht, in the Christmas Eve draw following more than three months without a winner. This is the largest Powerball jackpot of 2025 and the second largest in U.S. history. The winner has the option to take a lump sum payment of $834.9 million before taxes.
The Powerball lottery office announced the results of the draw held on Wednesday night (24 Dec) local time, which was Christmas Eve. It was revealed that a single ticket buyer from Arkansas won the jackpot after more than three months without a major winner. The winning numbers were 04, 25, 31, 52, 59, and the Powerball number was 19.
A surge in ticket sales near the deadline caused the jackpot value to rise beyond initial forecasts, totaling $1.817 billion (approximately 56.48 billion baht). This stands as the largest jackpot prize of 2025 and the second highest ever in U.S. lottery history.
The fortunate winner may choose to receive a one-time cash payment before taxes of $834.9 million (approximately 25.953 billion baht).
Matt Strawn, president of the Powerball product group, congratulated the winner, saying, "This is a life-changing prize. We thank all players for their participation, as every ticket purchased supports public programs and services nationwide."
Notable statistics from this win include the fact that the jackpot was claimed after 46 consecutive draws with no winner, the last being on 6 September 2025. This is also only the second time in Arkansas history that a jackpot winner has been recorded, the first being in 2010. Moreover, it is the first big jackpot win on Christmas Eve in 14 years, since 2011.
Powerball is designed to accumulate jackpots to enormous amounts due to the extremely low odds of winning the grand prize—just 1 in 292.2 million. However, officials note that the odds of winning smaller consolation prizes are much higher.
Currently, Powerball tickets are sold for $2 each and are available in 45 states, as well as Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
/sourceAP