Connecticut lottery: $100,000 Powerball winner just claimed their prize as jackpot hits record $1.7 billion, here’s what happens next

Connecticut lottery players are celebrating after a winning ticket sold here claimed $100,000 as the Powerball jackpot surged to a staggering $1.7 billion for the Christmas Eve drawing. The fourth-largest prize in U.S. lottery history arrived during the holiday shopping season, drawing millions of hopeful players nationwide.

Connecticut Wins Big With $100,000 Prize

Monday night’s Powerball drawing brought luck to a Connecticut lottery player who matched four white balls and the red Powerball. The winning numbers were 3, 18, 36, 41, 54 plus Powerball 7. The ticket holder activated the Power Play option, which doubled their $50,000 prize to $100,000.

The lucky ticket was sold at Deep River Market LLC, a convenience store located at 384 South Main Street in Deep River, Connecticut. Lottery retailers in Connecticut receive bonuses when they sell winning tickets, providing a small recognition for their service to players.

December’s Record-Breaking Jackpot Run

While the Connecticut winner collected a substantial prize, the Powerball jackpot continued growing across America. The Christmas Eve drawing on December 24, 2025 featured an estimated $1.7 billion jackpot, making it the fourth-largest Powerball prize ever awarded.

This jackpot growth came after 46 consecutive drawings without a jackpot winner, creating one of the longest dry spells in recent Powerball history. The accumulating prize captured national attention as people rushed to purchase tickets for their shot at life-changing money.

How the Powerball $100,000 Prize Works

The Connecticut winner achieved a 4-of-5 white ball match plus the red Powerball, which is the fourth prize tier in Powerball. Without the Power Play option, this combination would have paid exactly $50,000.

The winner’s decision to add Power Play multiplied their winnings by 2x, bringing the total to $100,000. Power Play is an optional add-on that costs an extra dollar per ticket and multiplies non-jackpot prizes by a randomly selected multiplier.

The Road to $1.7 Billion

The December 24 Christmas Eve drawing represented a major event for American lottery players. The jackpot had grown so large because of the 46-drawing losing streak, the longest dry spell without a jackpot winner in some time.

This prize value placed it as the fourth-largest in Powerball history, behind only three previous records. The largest Powerball jackpot ever was $2.04 billion won in California in 2022. The second-largest was $1.787 billion, which was split between Missouri and Texas winners on September 6, 2025.

Will Your Connecticut Ticket Be Next?

For the thousands of Connecticut Lottery players, the December 22 drawing delivered one guaranteed winner with another chance coming Christmas Eve. Powerball drawings occur three times per week: Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday nights at approximately 10:59 p.m. Eastern Time.

Each ticket costs just $2, with the optional Power Play boost bringing the total to $3. Winners can claim their prizes within a specific claiming period, and Connecticut does not publicize winners’ names without their written consent.

Sources

• CT Insider – Connecticut Powerball drawing results and Dec 22 analysis
• Hartford Courant – Deep River Market retailers location and winning ticket details
• Powerball.com – Official jackpot amounts and national drawing information

Annabelle Ink

Annabelle Ink is a gaming journalist and lifelong gamer who lives and breathes video game culture. From console releases to esports tournaments, this dedicated journalist brings insider knowledge and genuine enthusiasm to every review and feature. Her expertise spans multiple gaming platforms, helping readers discover their next favorite game while staying connected to the pulse of the gaming industry.