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Record $1.8bn Powerball prize claimed in Arkansas
An anonymous player in Arkansas secured the second-largest lottery jackpot ever, winning $1.817 billion in the Christmas Eve Powerball drawing, officials confirmed.
Winning details
The ticket matched all six numbers-4, 25, 31, 52, 59, and the red Powerball 19-drawn on December 24. The winner can choose between a lump-sum payment of $834.9 million or an annuity spread over 29 years.
This is only the second time a Powerball jackpot has been won in Arkansas, according to lottery operators. The winner's identity remains undisclosed.
How the game works
To win the grand prize, players must match five white balls and the red Powerball. Tickets cost $2 each, with odds of winning the jackpot set at 1 in 292.2 million.
Most winners opt for the immediate cash payout rather than the long-term annuity.
Tax implications
Winnings are subject to federal taxes ranging from 24% to 37%, along with state taxes in most jurisdictions. The final take-home amount will be significantly lower than the advertised prize.
Powerball's reach and history
Launched in 1992, Powerball is played across 45 U.S. states, Washington D.C., and the territories of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The largest single-ticket jackpot on record remains the $2.04 billion prize won in 2022 by a California player.
