News writer
A Powerball player got the best gift ever on Christmas Eve when they hit the $1.82 billion jackpot.
It was a remarkable win that shattered several records. Here's everything we know about the player and the jackpot.
The winning ticket
The winning ticket was purchased at a Murphy USA gas station in Cabot, Arkansas, a small town outside of Little Rock.
The ticket contained the winning white numbers 4, 25, 31, 52, and 59, and a Powerball number 19. The odds of hitting the jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million.
Not claimed yet
The ticket has not been claimed, causing excitement and speculation across Arkansas and the country. The winner has 180 days from the win to claim their ticket, or the money will be forfeited back to the state. Players are encouraged to check their Powerball tickets.
The player will have to bring their ticket in person to the Arkansas Lottery Headquarters in Little Rock in order to claim their prize.
Who could they be?
The player must be over 18, and they must have purchased the ticket in Arkansas, at the Murphy USA gas station at 208 S. Rockwood Drive, Cabot, Arkansas, within a Walmart Supercenter plaza.
That doesn't necessarily mean the winner hails from Arkansas, however - they could have been passing through.
In 2017, Eliberto Cantu won $177 million playing Mega Millions in Arkansas, and he was a 71-year-old construction worker from Texas.
Several records hit
The jackpot shattered several national and state-wide records, earning several titles, including:
- The second-highest jackpot ever.
It was second only to the $2.04 billion Powerball winner Edwin Castro, who hit the jackpot in December 2023.
- This is the biggest jackpot of 2025.
In second place comes the previous jackpot on September 6, 2025, at $1.787 billion. It was split by two winners from Texas and Missouri. This jackpot was ranked as the second biggest jackpot ever, until the December 24, 2025 jackpot knocked it down to third.
- The longest jackpot run in history.
The Christmas Eve win marked the 47th jackpot rollover in a singular run, making it the longest run in the game's history.
- The highest jackpot ever won in Arkansas.
After Cantu's win in 2017, this is by far the highest jackpot ever won in the state.
- The second time Powerball was won in Arkansas.
Only one other person has won the Powerball jackpot in Arkansas, and that's Harold Bailey of Conway, Arkansas, who won $25 million in 2010.
Anonymity rules in Arkansas
In 2021, a law was passed in Arkansas that allows lottery winners of over $500,000 in prizes to remain anonymous for three years. This means that, if the Powerball winner claims their prize, they will have to reveal their identity around Christmas 2028.
Annuity or lump sum
The jackpot may be accepted as $834.9 million lump sum before federal taxes, or as a $1.82 billion annuity paid over 29 years. Most players choose lump sums.
The state will collect over $30 million in state taxes from the lump sum.
Where the money will go
Arkansas will receive tens of millions of dollars if a lump sum option is selected. Money goes to the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery, benefiting students who need scholarships to attend state universities. The retailer will also receive a 1% commission. Matt Strawn, Powerball Product Group Chair and Iowa Lottery CEO, stated:
Congratulations to the newest Powerball jackpot winner! This is truly an extraordinary, life-changing prize. We also want to thank all the players who joined in this jackpot streak - every ticket purchased helps support public programs and services across the country.
Comments