Arkansas lottery claimed one of the most prestigious prizes in American gaming history on December 24, 2025. A single ticket holder won the $1.817 billion Powerball jackpot, making it the second-largest lottery prize ever awarded in the United States. The winning ticket was purchased at a Murphy USA gas station in Cabot, Arkansas, just hours before the holiday.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Single ticket from Cabot, Arkansas wins $1.817 billion on December 24, 2025
- Second-largest U.S. lottery jackpot ever, behind only the $2.04 billion Powerball won in California in 2022
- Winning numbers: 4, 25, 31, 52, 59 with Powerball 19 and Power Play multiplier 2x
- Winner can claim $834.9 million cash option or $1.817 billion annuity over 29 years
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The Christmas Eve 2025 drawing marks a historic moment for the state of Arkansas and Powerball players nationwide. This winning ticket ends a three-month dry spell when no one matched all six numbers in the jackpot division. The last major winner was recorded on September 6, 2025, when two tickets split a $1.787 billion prize across Missouri and Texas.
The jackpot had been building for weeks as millions of players purchased tickets hoping for a holiday miracle. Final ticket sales in the drawing pushed the total higher than initial projections, elevating the prize to $1.817 billion. This represents an extraordinary surge in ticket purchases during the year-end season.
Where the Winning Ticket Was Sold and Store Details
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The lucky ticket was purchased at Murphy USA gas station located in Cabot, which sits northeast of Little Rock. Cabot is a growing community in Lonoke County, making it a center of attention following this historic win. Gas station owners and lottery retailers often become local celebrities when they sell major jackpot tickets.
Under Arkansas state law, lottery winners who win prizes exceeding $500,000 can claim anonymity. This means the public may never learn the identity of the person or group that won this extraordinary prize. The anonymity protection provides privacy to the winner during what could be an overwhelming period of attention.
| Prize Details | Value |
| Jackpot Amount (Annuity) | $1.817 Billion |
| Cash Option Value | $834.9 Million |
| Payment Option | Annuity over 29 years or lump sum |
| Drawing Date | December 24, 2025 |
How This Win Compares to Other Historic Jackpots
The $1.817 billion prize secures its place in lottery history, but it doesn’t reach the all-time record. The largest Powerball jackpot ever was $2.04 billion, won by a ticket holder in California on November 7, 2022. The Arkansas Christmas Eve winner came tantalizingly close to that benchmark. In fact, this represents the largest Powerball win since that California prize in 2022.
Only one other lottery prize has exceeded this amount in U.S. history. The comparison highlights how rare and significant these mega-jackpots have become. The top 10 largest lottery prizes ever awarded in the United States include six from Powerball and the rest from other lotteries. The trend shows that Powerball continues to dominate as Americans’ most popular numbers game.
The Three-Month Jackpot Run and Previous Winners
Before the December 24, 2025 drawing, Powerball had gone without a jackpot winner since September 6, 2025, when tickets in Missouri and Texas split a $1.787 billion prize. That 3.5-month span allowed the jackpot to accumulate to historic proportions through ticket sales across all participating states and territories. It’s common for longer runs without winners to generate more excitement and media attention.
The buildup created peak interest during the holiday season when gift-giving and festive traditions make lottery tickets popular purchases. Many players viewed the buying surge as a chance at a life-changing surprise during Christmas. The holiday timing added emotional significance to what is already an extraordinary financial event for the winner.
What Happens Next: The Winner’s Timeline and Prize Claiming
The winner has one year from the date of the drawing to claim their prize according to standard Powerball rules across all participating states. This means the Arkansas ticket holder has until December 24, 2026, to come forward or designate representatives to claim the prize. During this time, they can consult with financial advisors, tax professionals, and legal experts about their options.
Claiming one of the largest lottery prizes ever requires significant planning. The winner must decide between the annuity option paying $1.817 billion over 29 years or the immediate cash option worth $834.9 million. Federal taxes will reduce the final amount by approximately 37%, plus any state taxes that may apply. Professional guidance becomes essential when managing such extraordinary wealth.
How the Claiming Process Works
Winners of large Powerball prizes typically work through lottery officials and legal representatives to claim their awards maintain confidentiality. The Arkansas Scholarship Lottery manages all Powerball winnings in the state. Winners must sign claim documents, provide identification, and undergo verification to ensure legitimate lottery tickets before prize disbursement.
“Last minute ticket sales in Wednesday’s drawing pushed the total to $1.817 billion.”
— Arkansas Scholarship Lottery Official Statement, December 2025
Sources
- CBS News – Complete coverage of the Arkansas Powerball jackpot win and historical rankings
- NBC News – Details on the winning ticket location in Cabot and prize payout options
- The New York Times – Analysis of the second-largest lottery prize in U.S. history
Daniel Harris is a specialist journalist focused on the crossroads of breaking news, extraordinary history, and enduring legends. With a background in historical research and storytelling, he blends timely reporting with timeless narratives, making complex events and ancient myths resonate with today’s readers. Daniel’s work often uncovers surprising links between present-day headlines and legendary tales, offering unique perspectives that captivate diverse audiences. Beyond reporting, he is passionate about preserving oral traditions and exploring how extraordinary stories continue to shape culture and identity.