One lucky individual in the United States has received the ultimate festive windfall, winning a colossal Powerball jackpot worth an estimated 1.817 billion US dollars (£1.34 billion). The winning ticket was purchased on Christmas Eve at a petrol station in a small Arkansas community, instantly creating a billionaire.
The Christmas Eve Jackpot Details
The life-changing ticket was sold at a Murphy USA petrol station in Cabot, Arkansas, lottery officials confirmed on Thursday, 25 December. The location, situated about 26 miles outside the state capital of Little Rock, was closed on Christmas Day itself. The win is particularly remarkable given the size of the local community, which is home to roughly 27,000 people.
This draw ended a significant three-month jackpot drought for the Powerball game, spanning 46 consecutive draws without a top-prize winner. The last time anyone hit the jackpot was on 6 September, when winners in Missouri and Texas shared a £1.32 billion prize.
A Record-Breaking Prize for 2025
A final surge in ticket sales pushed the prize to its astonishing final figure, making it the second-largest jackpot in US history and the largest Powerball prize of 2025. The winner has the option to take the prize as an annuity or a lump-sum cash payment of approximately 834.9 million dollars (£617 million).
Matt Strawn, Chairman of the Powerball Product Group, celebrated the win, stating, "Congratulations to the newest Powerball jackpot winner. This is truly an extraordinary, life-changing prize." He also thanked players for their participation, noting that ticket sales support public programmes across the country.
What Happens Next for the Winner?
The identity of the multi-billionaire remains a mystery for now. Karen Reynolds, a spokeswoman for the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery, explained that officials will not know who won until at least Monday, 29 December. This is because the claims centre is closed for the Christmas holiday, and winners must contact it directly to begin the validation process.
Powerball is notorious for its long odds, set at one in 292.2 million for the jackpot, a design feature that allows prizes to roll over and grow to such staggering amounts. Tickets cost two dollars (£1.47) and the game is played in 45 states, Washington DC, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands.
