One Powerball player in Arkansas is going down in history! That Christmas Eve billion-dollar jackpot was at the time the largest ever won, $1.817 billion. This momentous victory is the biggest Powerball jackpot in 2025. It is the second-largest jackpot ever in United States history. The last time a Powerball jackpot winner came forward on Christmas Eve was 2011, adding to the significance of this occasion.
Following a deep drought of 46 straight drawings without a jackpot winner, the streak ended thanks to the winning ticket. The last time a winning ticket was drawn was September 6th. In that previous illustration, players across Missouri and Texas rejoiced over a record-breaking $1.787 billion jackpot. This win highlights just how rare big jackpots have been in recent months. Powerball is offered in all 45 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. It only costs players $2 per ticket to get in on the action.
As enthusiasm spread over the growing jackpot, late ticket sales flooded in, sending the prize upward beyond those original estimates. The chances of winning the Powerball are still incredibly slim — 1 in 292.2 million. These winnings are purposely set to create huge jackpot prizes. They grow to enormous heights because the jackpots roll over every time there’s not a winner that matches all six numbers.
For winners, the lump sum cash payment option of $834.9 million is the kind of money that changes a life. Chris Winters, an Indianapolis glass artist who purchased a ticket impulsively, reflected on the experience, stating, “With the prize so high, I just bought one kind of impulsively. Why not?”
Matt Strawn, chair of the Powerball Product Group and Iowa Lottery CEO, congratulated the winner, emphasizing the significance of such a life-altering win. “Congratulations to the newest Powerball jackpot winner! This is truly an extraordinary, life-changing prize.”
Powerball’s history features four wins from Christmas Day, the last of which was in 2013. Players are counting on getting their own special lucky break this Christmas Eve. The jackpot is a sobering reminder of how quickly and profoundly lottery wins can change one’s life.