Arkansas Claims Record Powerball Jackpot
Best Casinos 2025
Key Takeaways
- A single ticket in Arkansas secures the second-largest lottery jackpot in history at $1.817 billion, highlighting sustained demand for multi-state draw games.
- Post-win reset sees Powerball and Mega Millions jackpots return to baseline levels amid holiday-season participation surge.
- Global operators maintain focus on responsible gaming and integrity amid elevated prize pools and player engagement.
Arkansas Ticket Wins $1.817 Billion Powerball Prize
A single Powerball ticket sold in Cabot, Arkansas, matched all six numbers in the Christmas Eve drawing on December 24, claiming an estimated $1.817 billion annuity prize—the second-largest in U.S. lottery history. The winning numbers were 4, 25, 31, 52, 59, with Powerball 19. Final ticket sales elevated the jackpot beyond initial projections, ending a prolonged streak of rollovers and generating substantial contributions to public programs across participating jurisdictions.
This landmark win, operated by the Multi-State Lottery Association, underscores the enduring appeal of high-value draw games, with proceeds supporting education and other beneficiaries in Arkansas and beyond. The winner has 180 days to claim, with options for annuity payments or a lump-sum cash value of approximately $834.9 million before taxes. Arkansas law permits anonymity for large prizes initially, balancing player privacy with public accountability.
Source: Powerball.com via USA Mega
Montana Lottery Crowns Millionaire Raffle Winners
The Montana Lottery conducted its annual Montana Millionaire raffle draw on December 26, awarding five grand prizes of $1 million each alongside thousands of smaller instant wins. The limited-ticket game, which sold out rapidly, featured enhanced prize structures for 2025, including multiple millionaire drawings to boost participation and revenue for state initiatives.
This event exemplifies regional lotteries' strategy to leverage scarcity and high-impact prizes during peak seasons, driving engagement without reliance on rollovers. Proceeds fund conservation and education programs, reinforcing the raffle format's role in diversified portfolios across North American operators.
Mega Millions Rolls to $138 Million
The Mega Millions jackpot advanced to an estimated $138 million for the December 30 drawing following no top-prize matches in the December 26 and 27 contests. Secondary prizes were claimed, including notable $1 million awards, as holiday momentum sustained ticket sales nationwide.
Operated by the Mega Millions Consortium, the game maintains steady growth post its prior $980 million win in November, illustrating complementary dynamics with Powerball in fueling cross-promotional interest. Revenues continue to support state-specific good causes, with emphasis on secure validation processes amid heightened volumes.
Source: Mega Millions.com via USA Mega
Powerball Resets After Historic Payout
Following the Arkansas claim, Powerball reset to $20 million for the December 27 drawing, with no jackpot winner emerging and the prize climbing modestly to $33 million by December 29. The swift post-holiday transition reflects operational resilience, as the Multi-State Lottery Association manages elevated scrutiny on draw integrity and retailer compliance.
This reset period allows operators to recalibrate marketing efforts, focusing on responsible play messaging while capitalizing on residual excitement from the record payout.
