A Powerball player in Arkansas has won a $1.817 billion lottery jackpot

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By OLIVIA DIAZ
Updated 12:07 AM CST, December 25, 2025
Leer en español

A Powerball player in Arkansas won a $1.817 billion jackpot in Wednesday’s Christmas Eve drawing, ending the lottery game’s three-month stretch without a top-prize winner.

The winning numbers were 04, 25, 31, 52 and 59, with the Powerball number being 19.

Final ticket sales pushed the jackpot higher than previous expected, making it the second-largest in U.S. history and the largest Powerball prize of 2025, according to www.powerball.com. The jackpot had a lump sum cash payment option of $834.9 million.

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



Read more: https://apnews.com/article/powerball-jackpot-billion-lottery-christmas-eve-289d1c7e4d43986b0984e70d4ca33ef3

[LiberalArkie]

1. Wasn't me

[IA8IT]

2. Well.......I'll just go back to bed today............

[ProudMNDemocrat]

3. I stand a better chance being hit by lightening in December, than winning the POWERBALL.

Had I bought a ticket, 3 of my numbers would have showed up. But I did not.

[lastlib]

5. I don't play, because I've already been hit by lightning......

(not directly, but within 20 feet of me---close enough to blow me off my feet.)

Well, the real reason I don't play is that being a math geek, I fully understand the probabilities involved, and I work too hard for the money to throw it away. I also regard lotteries as undemocratic, in that they prey on the lower class people who can least afford to be throwing away money, and reward a very few.

[ProudMNDemocrat]

8. It is only at Christmas time I buy Scratch-offs

For the Family Christmas cards. It gives one pleasure to win a few bucks.

[Callie1979]

9. All purchases are voluntary. If you choose to waste your $ its YOUR decision.

Our lottery in GA has given tuition assistance to over 2 million students since inception. Now technical colleges are included too. I'm fine with that.
"Free will" and all that.

[EYESORE 9001]

11. I dabbled in the mathematical arts myself

but even with the infinitesimal odds of winning, this person just won.

[Bengus81]

14. Pretty simple then,don't buy any tickets. No one is forcing anyone

[mdbl]

16. You can't win if you don't play

LOL

[twodogsbarking]

4. I hope they aren't, you know, Republicaaan.

[bucolic_frolic]

6. Beyond a certain level they should cap the top prize and make more smaller winners

Last edited Thu Dec 25, 2025, 03:03 PM - Edit history (1)

This system feeds greed and tax revenue. Spread the wealth.

Furthermore huge jackpots are fomenting class warfare, greed, materialism, and gambling ruins people's financial futures more than they will care to admit. It's almost financial terrorism.

[Callie1979]

7. I think they should break it into 180 10 million dollar prizes.

That would be really exciting.
Although I have no idea how you could do it to limit the number of winners.

[EarthFirst]

10. Do well; do good with your new found wealth... nt

[Ranting Randy]

12. Is somone's going to buy the whole state of Arkansas!?

[BOSSHOG]

13. And most of Oklahoma!

WOO PIG SOOIE!

[Mawspam2]

15. Arkansas, huh? Was it one of the Walmart spawn?