In Arkansas, a single ticket won $1.817 billion in the Powerball Christmas lottery, becoming the second‑largest prize ever awarded in U.S. history.
The winner chose the annuity option of $834.9 million, or a lump‑sum payment of the same amount before taxes. The jackpot accumulated after 46 consecutive drawings with no one matching all six numbers.
"This prize is truly extraordinary and transformative," Matt Strawn, president of the Powerball Product Group, said. Tickets cost $2 and are sold in 45 states, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Since 1992, Powerball has raised more than $37 billion for charity.
