Powerball has once again rewritten lottery history. On December 24, 2025, a single ticket sold in Arkansas matched all six numbers to win an astonishing $1.817 billion Powerball jackpot, making it the second-largest lottery prize ever won in the United States.
The winning numbers in the draw were 4, 25, 31, 52, 59, with Powerball 19 and a Power Play multiplier of 2. The winner now has a life-changing decision ahead:
- Take the full $1.817 billion annuity, paid out over 30 years with annual increases, or
- Opt for a $834.9 million lump-sum cash payout, before taxes.
This win capped a record 47-draw jackpot run, the longest in Powerball history. It also marks the second time a Powerball jackpot has been won by a ticket sold in Arkansas, the first occurring back in 2010. Following the draw, the Powerball jackpot has now reset to $20 million for the next drawing.
Beyond the main prize, the draw created hundreds of additional winners nationwide, including several $1 million Match-5 tickets and dozens of five-figure and six-figure Power Play prizes, underlining just how widespread the impact of a major Powerball draw can be.
The Biggest Lottery Wins in History (U.S.)
The Arkansas win now sits firmly among the greatest lottery jackpots ever recorded. Below is a table showing the largest U.S. lottery wins of all time, dominated by Powerball and Mega Millions.
| Rank | Jackpot | Lottery | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.04 Billion | Powerball | Nov 7, 2022 | California |
| 2 | $1.817 Billion | Powerball | Dec 24, 2025 | Arkansas |
| 3 | $1.787 Billion | Powerball | Sept 6, 2025 | Missouri / Texas |
| 4 | $1.765 Billion | Powerball | Oct 11, 2023 | California |
| 5 | $1.602 Billion | Mega Millions | Aug 8, 2023 | Florida |
| 6 | $1.586 Billion | Powerball | Jan 13, 2016 | California / Florida / Tennessee |
| 7 | $1.537 Billion | Mega Millions | Oct 23, 2018 | South Carolina |
| 8 | $1.348 Billion | Mega Millions | Jan 13, 2023 | Maine |
| 9 | $1.337 Billion | Mega Millions | Jul 29, 2022 | Illinois |
| 10 | $1.326 Billion | Powerball | Apr 6, 2024 | Oregon |
These figures highlight a clear trend: billion-dollar jackpots are no longer rare events, but a recurring feature of modern, large-scale lottery games.
Powerball Key Facts
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Game | Powerball |
| Ticket price | $2 per play |
| Draw days | Monday, Wednesday, Saturday |
| Jackpot odds | 1 in 292.2 million |
| Any-prize odds | 1 in 24.9 |
| Recent headline jackpot | $1.817B won in Arkansas (Dec 24, 2025) |
| Cash option (headline draw) | $834.9M |
| Jackpot reset | $20M after win |
The Biggest Lotteries in the World Right Now
While Powerball dominates headlines in the U.S., several global lotteries currently offer massive jackpots or enormous total prize pools. Based on current jackpot levels, here’s an overview of the biggest lotteries players are watching right now, how much you can win, and what makes each one unique.
1. Powerball (USA)
- Current jackpot: approx. €17.0 million
- Jackpot potential: No cap (has exceeded $2 billion)
The world’s most famous jackpot lottery, known for record-breaking payouts during long rollover streaks.
2. Mega Millions (USA)
- Current jackpot: approx. €96.8 million
- Jackpot potential: No cap (has exceeded $1.6 billion)
Powerball’s main competitor, often producing billion-dollar jackpots during extended runs.
3. EuroMillions (Europe)
- Current jackpot: approx. €17.0 million
- Maximum jackpot: €250 million (cap)
Europe’s largest multi-country lottery with better odds than U.S. lotteries and frequent nine-figure prizes.
4. SuperEnalotto (Italy)
- Current jackpot: approx. €69.0 million
- Jackpot potential: No cap (historically exceeded €370 million)
Famous for extreme odds and enormous jackpots that can grow for years before being won.
5. La Primitiva (Spain)
- Current jackpot: approx. €69.0 million
- Typical maximum: €40–€70 million
One of the world’s oldest lotteries, offering steady growth and frequent high-value draws.
6. Lotto 6aus49 (Germany)
- Current jackpot: approx. €3.0 million
- Maximum jackpot: €49 million
Germany’s national lottery focuses on frequent winners rather than extreme jackpots.
7. Eurojackpot (Europe)
- Current jackpot: approx. €59.0 million
- Maximum jackpot: €120 million (cap)
A pan-European lottery balancing strong odds with large, regularly capped jackpots.
8. El Gordo (Spain)
- Current top prize: approx. €13.0 million
- Total prize pool: €2.7+ billion annually
The world’s largest lottery by total payout, distributing prizes across thousands of winners each December.
9. National Lottery (UK)
- Current jackpot: approx. €30.0 million
- Typical maximum: €50–€60 million
A cornerstone of the UK lottery market with consistent multimillion-euro jackpots.
10. Mega Sena (Brazil)
- Current jackpot: approx. €153.2 million
- Jackpot potential: No cap
South America’s biggest lottery, known for massive special draws and rapid jackpot growth.
How Players From Other Countries Can Participate via Lottofy
Although many of the world’s biggest lotteries are restricted to local residents, international players can still take part through official lottery courier services like Lottofy.
Here’s how it works in practice:
- Ticket purchase on your behalf:
Lottofy buys a real, official lottery ticket from the country where the draw is held. - Ticket ownership:
The ticket is registered in your name, and a digital copy is stored securely in your account. - Same jackpots, same odds:
You participate in the exact same draw, with the same jackpot size and odds as local players. - Prize handling:
Smaller prizes are credited directly to your account, while large jackpot wins are arranged through official lottery authorities. - Access to multiple lotteries:
From one platform, players can participate in major lotteries such as Powerball, Mega Millions, EuroMillions, Eurojackpot, El Gordo, Mega Sena, and more — regardless of their country of residence.
For international players, services like Lottofy remove geographic barriers and make it possible to take part in the world’s biggest jackpots without being physically present in the country where the lottery is drawn.
The Bigger Picture
From Powerball’s $1.817 billion win in Arkansas to Europe and South America’s rapidly growing jackpots, lotteries are entering a new era. Larger player bases, international access, and long rollover cycles mean record-breaking prizes are becoming the norm rather than the exception.
As jackpots reset and rebuild, the next historic win may already be just a few draws away.
