The odds of winning Powerball and Mega Millions are not in your favor
The odds of winning the jackpot with Mega Millions or Powerball are approximately 1 in 292 million. Here, we will introduce things that are more likely to be obtained than large sums of money.
With just three days left until Christmas, one lucky person might just get the best gift ever, as the Powerball jackpot has reached $1.6 billion, the fourth largest in the game’s history.
If the ticket matches all five numbers and the Powerball in the drawing on Monday, Dec. 22 at 10:59 p.m. ET, the winner will have the option of a one-time cash payment of $735.3 million before taxes.
While Monday’s Powerball jackpot itself is historic, it wasn’t the biggest prize of the year. On September 6, two tickets in Missouri and Texas won the second-largest jackpot in the history of the game. The amount was a staggering 1.787 billion.
Here are the Powerball winning numbers for Monday, December 22nd:
Powerball winning numbers for December 22, 2025
The winning numbers for Monday, December 22nd drawing are: 3, 18, 36, 41, 54 and the powerball 7. The multiplier for “power play” is 2x.
The lottery winning numbers sponsors are: Jackpocket is the official digital lottery carrier of the USA TODAY Network.
Has anyone won the Powerball jackpot?
Powerball winners will be posted here as soon as they are announced by lottery officials.
To find a complete list of past Powerball winners, go to Click on the link to the lottery website.
When is the next Powerball drawing?
The next drawing will take place on Wednesday, December 24th, just after 11pm ET.
How to play Powerball
To play Powerball, you must purchase a $2 ticket. This can be done at a variety of locations, including local convenience stores, gas stations, and grocery stores. In some states, you can purchase Powerball tickets online.
Once you have your ticket, you have to choose six numbers. Five of them are white balls with numbers from 1 to 69. The red Powerball range is 1-26. You can also add a “Power Play” for $1, which increases your winnings on all non-jackpot prizes.
“Power Play” multipliers allow you to increase your winnings by 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, or 10x.
If you’re feeling unlucky or just want to let the computer do the work for you, you can take advantage of the “Quick Pick” option, where a computer-generated number is printed on your Powerball ticket. To win the jackpot, players must match all five white balls with the red Powerball in any order.
Powerball drawings are held on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday nights. The winnings continue to increase even if no one wins the jackpot.
Where to buy lottery tickets
Tickets can be purchased directly at gas stations, convenience stores, and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.
You can also order tickets online Jackpocket, USA TODAY Network’s official digital lottery delivery companythese states and territories of the United States: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington DC, and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to choose your lottery games and numbers, place your order, check your tickets, and claim your winnings, all using your phone or home computer.
Jackpocket is the official digital lottery carrier of USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue from viewer referrals to the Jackpocket Service. Must be 18 years or older, 21 years or older in Arizona, 19 years or older in Nebraska. Not affiliated with any state lottery. Gambling problem? Call 1-877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 1-800-327-5050(MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-981-0023 (PR); 1-800-GAMBLER (ALL OTHERS). visit jackpocket.com/tos Over the entire period.
This story has been updated with new information.
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Contact us at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow us at X @fern_cerv_.
