A lucky individual in Arkansas has clinched the massive $1.817 billion Powerball jackpot after successfully matching all six numbers in the drawing held on December 24th. This information was announced by the organization behind the popular U.S. lottery on Thursday.
This winning ticket, the sole one to match all the numbers, now holds the record as the second-largest lottery prize ever awarded in U.S. history. It is only surpassed by the Powerball jackpot of November 2022, which reached $2.040 billion in California, according to a statement from the organization.
The winning numbers consisted of the white balls 4, 25, 31, 52, and 59, the red Powerball 19, and the Power Play multiplier of 2.
The fortunate winner has the option to choose between receiving the full prize as annual payments totaling $1.817 billion, distributed over 29 installments with a 5% annual increase, or a single lump sum payment of $834.9 million, both options before taxes.
This marks the second time the Powerball jackpot has been won in Arkansas, with the previous occurrence dating back to a drawing in 2010.
"This is a truly life-changing and extraordinary prize," stated Matt Strawn, chairman of the Powerball Product Group. He also expressed gratitude to the millions of players who participated during the extensive run of rollovers.
The jackpot accumulated after 47 consecutive drawings without a winner, setting a record for the game. According to the organization, the odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million.
In addition to the grand prize, the drawing resulted in thousands of secondary winners across the nation. Eight tickets matched the five white balls, earning each holder a prize of $1 million, while over a hundred players won prizes of $50,000 and $100,000.
Powerball tickets, priced at $2 per play, are available for purchase in 45 states, as well as the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
More than half of the revenue from ticket sales remains in the state where they are purchased, supporting public and social programs.
Since its inception in 1992, Powerball has generated over $37 billion for charitable causes across the United States.
Following this historic holiday jackpot, the Powerball prize resets to $20 million for the upcoming drawing, scheduled for Saturday night.
Understanding Powerball's Record Jackpot
What were the winning numbers for the $1.817 billion Powerball jackpot?
The winning numbers for the $1.817 billion Powerball jackpot included the white balls 4, 25, 31, 52, and 59, the red Powerball 19, and the Power Play multiplier of 2.
How can the winner of the Powerball jackpot receive their prize?
The winner can choose between receiving the prize as annual payments totaling $1.817 billion over 29 years, with a 5% increase each year, or a lump sum payment of $834.9 million, both before taxes.
How does Powerball contribute to public and social programs?
Over half of the revenue from Powerball ticket sales remains in the state where they are purchased, funding public and social programs.
What are the odds of winning the Powerball jackpot?
The odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million.