Powerball continues to reinforce its position as the most powerful lottery brand in the world. As of mid-December 2025, the jackpot has surged to an estimated $1.25 billion, marking yet another milestone in a year already defined by record-breaking prize pools and historic winner payouts.
The current jackpot run is notable not only for its size, but for its timing. The draw represents the second-largest Powerball jackpot of 2025, following the $1.787 billion prize split between Missouri and Texas earlier this year. It is also only the second time in Powerball history that the game has produced back-to-back billion-dollar jackpots within the same year.
From an industry perspective, the continued growth of Powerball jackpots highlights the enduring appeal of traditional lottery products in an era increasingly shaped by instant-win games, online betting and digital gambling platforms.
The Biggest Powerball Jackpots of All Time
Powerball currently holds the world record for the largest national lottery jackpot ever, a title it has now defended multiple times in the last decade. The table below shows the ten biggest Powerball jackpots in history, ranked by advertised annuity value.
Biggest Powerball Jackpots Ever
| Rank | Jackpot Amount | Draw Date | Winning State(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.04 Billion | Nov. 7, 2022 | California |
| 2 | $1.787 Billion | Sept. 6, 2025 | Missouri, Texas |
| 3 | $1.765 Billion | Oct. 11, 2023 | California |
| 4 | $1.586 Billion | Jan. 13, 2016 | California, Florida, Tennessee |
| 5 | $1.326 Billion | April 6, 2024 | Oregon |
| 6 | $1.25 Billion (est.) | Dec. 17, 2025 | TBD |
| 7 | $1.08 Billion | July 19, 2023 | California |
| 8 | $842.4 Million | Jan. 1, 2024 | Michigan |
| 9 | $768.4 Million | March 27, 2019 | Wisconsin |
| 10 | $758.7 Million | Aug. 23, 2017 | Massachusetts |
What stands out is how frequently California appears among the largest jackpots, reflecting both population size and ticket sales volume, rather than any mechanical advantage in the game itself.
Powerball Jackpot Winners in 2025
While jackpots grab headlines, the real stories emerge when winners are confirmed. In 2025, Powerball produced a mix of anonymous players, named individuals and legal entities, with every major winner opting for the cash payout optionrather than the full annuity.
Powerball Jackpot Winners – 2025
| Winner | State | Draw Date | Payment Option | Prize (Annuity / Cash) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anonymous | Missouri | Sept. 6, 2025 | Cash | $1,787,400,000 annuity / $820,600,000 cash (split) |
| Seven Bridges Revocable Trust | Texas | Sept. 6, 2025 | Cash | $1,787,400,000 annuity / $820,600,000 cash (split) |
| Linda Ramirez & Michael Rubio | California | May 31, 2025 | Cash | $204,500,000 annuity / $91,600,000 cash |
| Linda Grizzle & Shannon Farthing | Kentucky | April 26, 2025 | Cash | $167,300,000 annuity / $77,300,000 cash |
| Rosa Chavez | California | March 29, 2025 | Cash | $526,500,000 annuity / $243,800,000 cash |
| Abbas Shafii | Oregon | Jan. 18, 2025 | Cash | $328,500,000 annuity / $146,400,000 cash |
The consistent preference for lump-sum payments reflects a broader trend: winners increasingly prioritize liquidity, tax planning flexibility and immediate capital access over long-term annuity growth.
Can You Play Powerball From Anywhere?
Despite its global visibility, Powerball is not a worldwide lottery in the traditional sense.
Official Powerball tickets can only be purchased within the United States and select U.S. jurisdictions, including:
- 45 U.S. states
- Washington, D.C.
- Puerto Rico
- U.S. Virgin Islands
Players must be physically present in a participating jurisdiction at the time of purchase. While some states allow online ticket sales via official lottery apps or websites, geolocation restrictions still apply, meaning tickets cannot legally be bought from abroad.
That said, players outside the U.S. can still participate in Powerball indirectly through licensed online platforms that offer lottery betting or courier-based services, allowing international users to take part in Powerball draws without purchasing tickets directly from a U.S. lottery.
In short: Powerball is locally sold, but globally accessible through alternative, regulated formats.
Why Powerball Keeps Growing
Several structural factors explain why Powerball jackpots continue to escalate:
- Low jackpot odds (1 in 292.2 million) drive longer rollover cycles
- Multi-state participation maximizes ticket liquidity
- Fixed $2 price point keeps entry accessible
- Power Play and Double Play add-ons increase average ticket value
Since its launch in 1992, Powerball has generated more than $37 billion for public programs across participating jurisdictions, reinforcing its role not just as a game of chance, but as a funding mechanism for education, infrastructure and social initiatives.
The Bigger Picture for the Gambling Industry
Despite competition from online casinos, sportsbooks and instant-win formats, Powerball demonstrates that aspirational, low-frequency gambling still commands extraordinary consumer interest when jackpots reach psychological thresholds.
For operators, affiliates and regulators alike, Powerball’s continued success offers a reminder that scale, simplicity and narrative power remain decisive factors in gambling product longevity.
With another billion-dollar draw approaching, the only real question is not if Powerball will break records again — but when.
