Little Rock, Arkansas – A record-breaking $1.817 billion Powerball jackpot sold in Arkansas on Christmas Eve remains unclaimed more than two weeks after the drawing, leaving lottery officials and the public eager to see who will come forward to claim the life-changing prize. The winning ticket, purchased at a Murphy USA gas station in Cabot, Arkansas, has sparked nationwide attention, with residents double-checking their tickets and the countdown to the prize claim deadline now underway.
Lottery officials confirmed the winning numbers as 04, 25, 31, 52, and 59, with the Powerball number 19. With these numbers matching the ticket sold in Cabot, Arkansas officially joined the list of states that have produced a Powerball jackpot winner, marking only the second time in the state’s history that a Powerball prize of this magnitude has been won. The first occurred more than a decade ago in 2010.
The winner of the jackpot has 180 days from the date of the drawing to claim the prize. Officials have not disclosed any information about the individual who purchased the ticket, and as of now, no one has come forward to verify ownership. This uncertainty has led to widespread speculation, as residents in Cabot and surrounding areas check their tickets multiple times in hopes of discovering they hold the winning numbers.
Once the ticket is claimed, the winner will have the choice of receiving the full annuitized prize of $1.817 billion paid out over 30 years or a lump sum cash payment of $834.9 million. Both options carry significant tax implications, and lottery officials say the winner will receive guidance to navigate the decision. The magnitude of the jackpot and the potential financial windfall make this one of the largest lottery prizes in U.S. history, drawing national attention to the small Arkansas city where the ticket was purchased.
In the meantime, officials are reminding residents to double-check all tickets from the drawing, noting that the excitement surrounding such a massive jackpot can easily lead to overlooked winnings. “If you haven’t done so already, you may want to double-check your Powerball tickets to see if you are the winner!” they said, urging potential winners to act before the 180-day window closes.
The unclaimed jackpot has also fueled local excitement and speculation, with residents imagining how the payout could transform their lives. Many have shared stories of how they would spend the money, from paying off debts and investing in businesses to supporting family and charitable causes. The record-breaking prize has reinvigorated interest in lottery games in the state, prompting a surge in ticket sales for subsequent drawings.
As the weeks pass, the mystery of the unclaimed ticket continues to grow. Lottery officials emphasize that the identity of the winner remains private until the claim is officially made, leaving room for anyone in the area who purchased a ticket at the Murphy USA gas station to become an overnight billionaire. With hundreds of millions of dollars at stake, Arkansas residents and the nation at large are waiting to see who will step forward to claim this historic jackpot.
The clock is ticking, and the anticipation only grows as the 180-day claim period moves forward. Until then, the $1.817 billion prize sits unclaimed, waiting for its lucky owner to make one of the most important decisions of their life.
