Jingle bills: Arkansas Powerball player strikes $1.8bn jackpot on Christmas Eve

December 25, 2025

An Arkansas lottery player won the second-largest Powerball jackpot in history, claiming $1. 817 billion during a Christmas Eve drawing by matching all six winning numbers. The victor can choose between receiving an immediate lump-sum payment of approximately $834.

Who is affected

The unidentified Arkansas Powerball player who won the jackpot
The Powerball lottery operator
Federal and state tax authorities who will collect taxes on the winnings
Arkansas (as the state where the winning ticket was sold)

What action is being taken

No explicit ongoing actions are stated in the article.

Why it matters

This is significant because it represents the second-largest lottery prize ever claimed in Powerball history, demonstrating the massive scale these jackpots can reach. It is also noteworthy as only the second time Arkansas has produced a Powerball jackpot winner, making it a rare occurrence for that state. The substantial prize amount will have considerable financial implications for the winner and generate significant tax revenue for federal and state governments.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC