Lucky Christmas Eve Powerball winner finally claims $1.8B jackpot
The lucky lottery player who won the big $1.817 billion Powerball jackpot on Christmas Eve has claimed their prize nearly a month later.
On Thursday, Jan. 22, Powerball announced that the winner stepped forward to claim their prize. The lottery player chose to remain anonymous.
“Everyone was anxiously waiting for the winner to step forward, but we are happy they took the time to seek legal counsel and financial advice first, as we recommended," Sharon Strong, the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery executive director, said in a statement. "We are thrilled that the winner is from Arkansas!”
The jackpot winner could have chosen to receive annuitized payments or a one-time lump-sum amount of $834.9 million, according to Powerball. They chose the one-time payment.
Here's what to know about the win.
Where was the ticket sold?
The ticket was sold at Murphy USA, a gas station in Cabot, Arkansas, a city that is about 25 miles northeast of Little Rock, according to Powerball. The store has also received a $50,000 commission for selling the winning ticket.
The jackpot was the second-largest won in the U.S. and in Powerball's history.
This is the second time in the game's history that a jackpot was won on a ticket sold in Arkansas. The first was in 2010.
Can Arkansas lottery winners remain anonymous?
Yes, according to Arkansas law. If a person wins more than $500,000 through the lottery, they may request to remain anonymous.
But winners can't remain anonymous forever.
After three years, the name of the person who claimed the jackpot will become public information. The law was enacted in 2021.
Top 10 Powerball Jackpots
- $2.040 billion on Nov. 7, 2022, in California
- $1.817 billion on Dec. 24, 2025, in Arkansas
- $1.787 billion on Sept. 6, 2025, in Missouri, Texas
- $1.765 billion on Oct. 11, 2023, in California
- $1.586 billion on Jan. 13, 2016, in California, Florida, and Tennessee
- $1.326 billion on April 6, 2024, in Oregon
- $1.080 billion on July 19, 2023, in California
- $842.4 million on Jan. 1, 2024, in Michigan
- $768.4 million on Mar. 27, 2019, in Wisconsin
- $758.7 million on Aug. 23, 2017, in Massachusetts
How to play Powerball
Powerball tickets are $2 per play and are sold in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. You can do this at various locations, including local convenience stores, gas stations, or grocery stores. In some states, Powerball tickets can be purchased online depending on local jurisdiction.
Once you have your ticket, you need to pick six numbers. Five of them will be white balls numbered 1 to 69. The red Powerball ranges from 1 to 26. People can also add a "Power Play" for $1, which increases the winning for all non-jackpot prizes. The “Power Play” multiplier can multiply winnings by: 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X, or 10X.
If you want the computer to select the numbers, the "Quick Pick" option is available. To win the jackpot, players must match all five white balls in any order and the red Powerball.
Powerball drawings are held on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. If no one wins the jackpot, the cash prize will keep climbing.
Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.
Do you have to be a US citizen or resident to play Powerball?
The short answer is no, you do not have to be a U.S. citizen or U.S. resident to play Powerball. When visiting one of the 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands, anyone, regardless of nationality, can purchase lottery tickets from an authorized and licensed retailer, if they meet the legal age requirement at the point of purchase − usually 18 years old.
Can you get Powerball tickets online?
You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington DC, and West Virginia.
The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket, and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.
Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. Must be 18+, 21+ in AZ, and 19+ in NE. Not affiliated with any State Lottery. Gambling Problem? Call 1-877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY); 1-800-327-5050 (MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-981-0023 (PR); 1-800-GAMBLER (all others). Visitjackpocket.com/tos for full terms.
Julia Gomez is a Trending reporter for USA TODAY and covers popular toys, scientific studies, natural disasters, and trending news. Connect with her on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at [email protected].
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at [email protected] and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.