Khaberni - A "Powerball" lottery ticket holder in Arkansas, USA, won $1.817 billion in a draw held on Christmas Eve, making it the second largest lottery prize in US history, according to the lottery organizers announced today Thursday.
The largest win in the history of the American lottery was recorded in California in November 2022, when the prize amounted to $2.04 billion.
The jackpot swelled this year after last Monday's draw resulted in no winners, which allowed its value to increase, with the odds of winning the jackpot being one in 292.2 million.
Powerball winners can choose between receiving the full amount in payments spread over 30 years, or taking a one-time cash payment, which in this case would amount to $834.9 million before taxes.
The winning ticket in the draw held last Wednesday evening, local American time, had the numbers 4, 25, 31, 52, 59 and Powerball number 19.
Powerball president "Matt Strawn" congratulated the new winner, stating that it is "truly an extraordinary, life-changing prize."
Strawn also thanked all other participants in the draw, noting that every purchased ticket contributes "to supporting public programs and services."
A Powerball ticket costs two dollars, and can be purchased in 45 US states, in addition to Washington D.C., the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. Draws take place on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays.
This year's prize is the fourth largest in Powerball and American lottery games history and has seen a single person win the grand prize on Christmas Eve once before in 2011, while others have won 4 times on Christmas Day.
