Christmas Eve rarely delivers miracles measured in billions. But on December 24, 2025, the Powerball drawing rewrote lottery history when a single ticket sold in Cabot, Arkansas, matched all six numbers and unlocked a $1.817 billion jackpot.
Within minutes of the numbers dropping, one question dominated Google searches across the country:
Who is the Powerball Winner Arkansas 12/24/25 Payout going to?
The answer, for now, remains a mystery.
But the math, the law, and the financial reality behind this historic win are already clear.
Quick Answer: What We Know Right Now
Winning Numbers: 4, 25, 31, 52, 59 | Powerball: 19
Ticket Location: Murphy USA (Walmart Plaza), Cabot, Arkansas
Annuity Jackpot: $1.817 Billion
Cash Option: $834.9 Million (before taxes)
Winner Status: Unclaimed
Anonymity Allowed: Yes (up to 3 years under Arkansas law)
This single ticket now holds the title of largest Powerball win ever claimed in Arkansas and the second-largest lottery jackpot in U.S. history.
Why This Win Is Different
Big lottery jackpots happen.
But this one stands apart for three reasons:
- Timing – A Christmas Eve drawing, when millions were watching.
- Location – A small Arkansas city suddenly thrust into the national spotlight.
- Anonymity – Arkansas law allows the winner to disappear quietly, at least for now.
As news spread, Cabot became the most searched town in America overnight.
The Math of a Billionaire: What the Winner Actually Takes Home
Winning the lottery doesn’t mean you keep the headline number.
This is where the Powerball Winner Arkansas 12/24/25 Payout story gets real.
Cash vs. Annuity: The First Decision
The winner has two options:
Annuity:
- $1.817 billion paid over 30 years
- Annual increasing payments
- Total looks massive, but spread over decades
Cash Option (Most Winners Choose This):
- $834.9 million paid immediately
- One lump sum
- Subject to heavy taxes upfront
Historically, over 90% of jackpot winners choose the cash option.
Federal Taxes: The Biggest Cut
The IRS takes the largest slice.
- Immediate Federal Withholding: 24%
- Top Federal Tax Bracket: 37%
Federal Tax Breakdown (Estimated)
| Description | Amount |
|---|---|
| Cash Payout | $834.9M |
| 24% Withholding | −$200.4M |
| Additional Federal Tax Owed | −$108M |
| Total Federal Taxes | ~$308M |
Arkansas State Taxes: Smaller, But Still Significant
Arkansas taxes lottery winnings at 3.9%.
- Estimated state tax: ~$32.5M
Final Take-Home Estimate
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Cash Payout | $834.9M |
| Federal Taxes | −$308M |
| Arkansas State Tax | −$32.5M |
| Estimated Net Payout | ~$493.5 Million |
Even after taxes, the winner becomes one of the richest private individuals in Arkansas history overnight.
For perspective:
That’s more money than the net worth of many A-list celebrities.
The Mystery Winner: Who Bought the Ticket in Cabot?
The winning ticket was sold at Murphy USA, located in the Walmart Plaza in Cabot. By Christmas morning, the gas station had become a pilgrimage site.
Cars lined up.
News vans crowded the parking lot.
Employees described disbelief.
Cabot Mayor Ken Kincade acknowledged the excitement, calling it “a moment no one here will ever forget.”
Yet the winner has not come forward.
And that may be intentional.
Arkansas Lottery Anonymity Laws Explained
One of the most searched phrases tied to this story is:
“How to stay anonymous as a lottery winner.”
In Arkansas, the law is clear.
What Arkansas Allows
- Winners of $500,000 or more can remain anonymous
- Privacy protection lasts up to 3 years
- The Arkansas Scholarship Lottery will not release:
- Name
- Photo
- City of residence
This gives the Powerball Winner Arkansas 12/24/25 Payout recipient something priceless: time.
Time to plan.
Time to hire professionals.
Time to disappear from public view.
If You Ever Win: What Experts Say to Do Immediately
Financial advisors and attorneys agree on the first steps:
- Sign the back of the ticket
- Store it in a secure location
- Do not post on social media
- Hire a lottery attorney
- Assemble a tax and wealth management team
Most lottery disasters happen after the win, not before.
Other Winners Across the Country
While Arkansas claimed the jackpot, the Christmas Eve draw created hundreds of millionaires nationwide.
$1 Million Match-5 Winners
- California – 2 tickets
- Florida – 1 ticket
- Ohio – 1 ticket
- Pennsylvania – 1 ticket
- Texas – 1 ticket
Several players also won through the Powerball Double Play, turning small wagers into six-figure prizes.
The Bobby Bones Factor: Why His Name Is Trending
Another unexpected trend tied to this story is Bobby Bones, the Arkansas-born radio host.
Why?
- He frequently talks about the lottery
- He’s publicly proud of his Arkansas roots
- Social media speculation exploded
To be clear:
There is no evidence Bobby Bones is the winner.
But in the absence of facts, speculation fills the vacuum.
How This Win Compares to the 2022 $2.04B Powerball
The only jackpot larger than this one was Edwin Castro’s $2.04 billion win in California (2022).
Here’s the key difference:
- California taxes are significantly higher
- Cost of living is far higher than Arkansas
Many analysts argue that $493M in Arkansas buys more real wealth than $600M in California.
In practical terms, the Arkansas winner may enjoy greater purchasing power despite a smaller headline jackpot.
Why This Story Is Captivating the Nation
This isn’t just about money.
It’s about:
- A small town changed overnight
- A mystery protected by law
- A reminder that chance can rewrite a life instantly
That’s why Powerball Winner Arkansas 12/24/25 Payout remains one of the most searched lottery terms in the world right now.
What Happens Next?
The winner has:
- 180 days to claim the prize
- Full discretion on when and how to step forward
- Legal protection to remain private
Meanwhile, Powerball rolls on.
The next drawing offers a jackpot of $20 million, but for one Arkansan, lightning has already struck.
Final Thoughts
The Powerball Winner Arkansas 12/24/25 Payout story is still unfolding.
The numbers are real.
The ticket is real.
The money is real.
Only the winner remains unseen.
And perhaps, in a world where instant fame can be a curse, that anonymity is the greatest prize of all.
