Arkansas Christmas Eve Miracle: $1.8 Billion Powerball Jackpot Won in Cabot

A single ticket sold in Arkansas has won the massive Powerball jackpot. The drawing was held on Wednesday, December 24th. The winning ticket was purchased in Cabot, just outside Little Rock.

This win is a historic event for the state lottery. It marks only the second time a Powerball jackpot has been won with a ticket from Arkansas. The lucky player now holds a ticket worth an estimated $1.817 billion.

Second-Largest US Lottery Prize Secured on Christmas Eve

The $1.817 billion prize is the second-largest in U.S. lottery history. It trails only a $2.04 billion Powerball jackpot won in California in 2022. According to Powerball officials, the winning numbers were 4, 25, 31, 52, 59, and Powerball 19.

The jackpot had been growing for months before the Christmas Eve draw. The winner can choose between the full annuity or a lump-sum cash payment. The cash option is valued at approximately $834.9 million before taxes.

Winner’s Next Steps and Arkansas Claiming Rules

The identity of the winner remains a mystery. In Arkansas, winners of prizes over $500,000 can request anonymity for up to three years. They must come forward to claim the prize at the state lottery’s headquarters in Little Rock.

Winners typically have 180 days from the draw date to come forward. Financial experts advise immediate consultation with legal and tax professionals. This win will generate significant revenue for state-funded scholarship programs.

The retailer that sold the winning ticket will also receive a bonus. This incentive is standard for selling a jackpot-winning ticket. It brings a secondary economic boost to the local community.

Thought you’d like to know-

Where was the winning Powerball ticket sold?

The ticket was sold in Cabot, Arkansas. Cabot is a city located northeast of Little Rock. The specific retail location has not been publicly named yet.

How much is the cash payout option?

The lump-sum cash payment is about $834.9 million. This is the amount before federal and state taxes are applied. The annuity option spreads the full $1.817 billion over 30 years.

Can the winner remain anonymous?

Yes, Arkansas law allows for anonymity. Winners of prizes over $500,000 can keep their name private for three years. They must formally request this confidentiality when they claim the prize.

What were the winning Powerball numbers?

The numbers drawn on December 24 were 4, 25, 31, 52, 59, and Powerball 19. The Power Play multiplier for the draw was 2X. A single ticket matched all six numbers to win the grand prize.

How does this jackpot rank historically?

This $1.817 billion prize is the second-largest ever in the United States. The largest was a $2.04 billion Powerball won in California in November 2022. It is also the largest Powerball jackpot won in 2025.

Trusted Sources: Powerball, Arkansas Scholarship Lottery, Associated Press, Reuters