A POWERBALL© player in Arkansas won a staggering $1.817 billion jackpot on December 24, 2025 – the second-largest lottery prize ever claimed in U.S. history.
The win occurred during a special Christmas Eve drawing and was claimed on a single ticket, which matched all six numbers drawn: 4, 25, 31, 52, 59, and the red POWERBALL number 19.
One ticket, one historic jackpot
The winning ticket gives the player a choice between an annuity of $1.817 billion paid over 29 years or a lump-sum cash option of $834.9 million before taxes. Most winners opt for the lump-sum payment, which is subject to federal tax withholding of between 24% and 37%, along with applicable state taxes.
This is only the second time a POWERBALL© jackpot-winning ticket has been sold in Arkansas, according to the state’s lottery officials. As of now, the winner has not been publicly identified, and POWERBALL© confirmed that no identifying details will be released unless the winner chooses to come forward.
The top prize remains the $2.04 billion jackpot won in 2022 by a player in California, which still holds the record for the largest single-ticket win in U.S. lottery history.
Understanding Powerball© and how to play
Tickets cost $2 per play. To win the jackpot, your ticket must match all five white ball numbers and the red POWERBALL© selected in the official draw. There are nine prize tiers, with smaller prizes starting at $4 and increasing based on the number of matching numbers and whether you opted for the Power Play multiplier.
POWERBALL© is drawn three times per week — on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays at 10:59 PM ET. The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million, according to the game’s official rules.
The game began in 1992 and is now played in 45 states, including West Virginia, plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Play POWERBALL© in West Virginia online or in person
In West Virginia, you can play POWERBALL© in person at authorized retailers or through the official iPLAY online platform. Playing online gives you access to additional features, including auto-renewal, which automatically purchases entries for future draws, and, when activated, Jackpot Threshold Auto Renewal, which allows you to buy a ticket only when the jackpot reaches your preferred threshold.
To play, choose five white numbers between 1 and 69 and one POWERBALL© number between 1 and 26. You can pick your own numbers or use the Quick Pick feature for randomly selected combinations.
What to do if you win
All prize claims in West Virginia must be submitted through the proper Lottery claim process. Smaller prizes may be credited directly to your iPLAY account if you played online. Larger winnings, including jackpots, require additional verification and must be claimed in person, in accordance with Lottery regulations. You’ll receive more information on how to claim winnings via your online account or through the retail location at which you made your purchase.
Play responsibly
While the $1.817 billion win highlights the scale of potential POWERBALL© prizes, it’s important to remember that all Lottery games are games of chance. Winnings are never guaranteed, so play responsibly and within your means. Tools such as deposit limits, self-exclusion, and account controls are available to help you manage your online play.
As 2026 begins, this historic win serves as a reminder of the life-changing outcomes draw games can deliver — and the importance of playing through official, secure Lottery platforms.