Christmas eve miracle: US player buys $2 lottery ticket, strikes $1.8 billion jackpot win

File image of a person receiving a lottery ticket for Powerball’s jackpot in New York City on November 4, 2022. (Used for representation)

A Powerball ticket sold at a gas station in the US state of Arkansas has won a massive $1.817 billion jackpot in the Christmas Eve drawing, marking one of the biggest lottery wins in American history.

According to The Associated Press, the winning numbers were 04, 25, 31, 52 and 59, with the Powerball number 19. Lottery officials said the ticket was purchased at a Murphy USA outlet in Cabot, Arkansas.

The prize is the second-largest lottery jackpot ever in the United States and the biggest Powerball win of 2025, according to Powerball. The winner can choose a lump sum cash payout of $834.9 million.

“Congratulations to the newest Powerball jackpot winner! This is truly an extraordinary, life-changing prize,” said Matt Strawn, Powerball Product Group Chair and Iowa Lottery CEO. “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.”

The winner’s identity has not yet been disclosed. Karen Reynolds, a spokesperson for the Arkansas Lottery, said the claims centre is closed for the holidays and the winner is unlikely to come forward before Monday.

The jackpot followed 46 consecutive drawings without a top prize winner. The previous Powerball jackpot was won on September 6, when players in Missouri and Texas shared $1.787 billion.

Officials said this is only the second time a Powerball jackpot has been won with a ticket sold in Arkansas, the first being in 2010. Powerball also noted that the last Christmas Eve jackpot win occurred in 2011.