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The Powerball jackpot was won by a single ticket sold in Arkansas, lottery officials said Thursday.
The ticket matched six numbers drawn Wednesday night to win the $1.817 billion jackpot. The cash option is $834.9 million before taxes.
The winning numbers for the December 24 drawing are 4, 25, 31, 52 and 59, along with Powerball 19. The Power Play multiplier was 2.
By the last ticket sale, the jackpot had risen to $1.817 billion.
“This is a truly extraordinary, life-changing award,” said Matt Strawn, chairman of the Powerball Product Group and CEO of the Iowa Lottery. He thanked players nationwide, saying ticket sales support public programs and services.
It’s the second time he’s won the Powerball jackpot with a ticket sold in Arkansas. The first was in 2010.
The winner can choose between $1.817 billion or a one-time payment of $834.9 million. The annual option includes one immediate payment and 29 annual payments that increase by 5% each year. All prize amounts are before tax.
Lottery officials are urging players to check their tickets carefully as there are many prizes up for grabs in the drawing.
Eight tickets nationwide match the first five numbers to win $1 million in prizes. Those tickets were sold in California, Indiana, Michigan, New York (two), Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia. Match 5 prizes in California are pari-mutuel and are based on ticket sales and number of winners.
The drawing drew 114 tickets that won $50,000 and 31 tickets that won $100,000.
In the Double Play drawing, two tickets sold in Colorado and South Carolina matched all five numbers and won $500,000 in prizes. Double Play is a $1 extra feature that gives players a second chance.
Wednesday’s drawing was the 47th in Jackton’s streak, a Powerball record. Tickets sold in Missouri and Texas split the $1.787 billion prize, with Japan winning on Sept. 6.
For Saturday night’s drawing, the Powerball jackpot resets to $20 million. The 10X Power Play multiplier will be available because the advertised jackpot is less than $150 million.
