Holiday jackpot: Powerball could make you a millionaire this week
The Powerball jackpot is the sixth in history at $1.25 billion, making it unusual for back-to-back $1 billion prizes to be awarded just before Christmas.
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No one hit the jackpot in the drawing on Monday, December 22nd, so the Powerball amount rose to about $1.7 billion for the drawing on Wednesday, December 24th.
Anyone who matches all five numbers on the Powerball will be able to pick one cash payout of approximately $781.3 million in the next drawing.
Who is the Powerball winner?
Although no one hit the jackpot, several players won big prizes in the December 22 drawing.
- Eight tickets matched five numbers (match 5) and won $1 million each in states including Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New York (2), Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.
Powerball winning numbers for Monday, December 22nd
These are the official numbers for the latest draw:
3 – 18 – 36 – 41 – 54, Powerball: 7, Power Play: 2X
When is the next Powerball drawing?
The next drawing will take place immediately after 10:59pm ET on Wednesday, December 24th, and if there is no winner yet, the jackpot is estimated at $1.7 billion.
2025 jackpot winners
Several players have won the Powerball jackpot so far this year.
September 6th: Tickets in Missouri and Texas brought in $1.787 billion (one of the highest in recent history).
(Other data about previous prizes in 2025 has not been updated on the site’s official sources, but you can check the history of past big prizes directly on Powerball.com.)
How common is it to exceed $1 billion?
In recent years, Powerball and Mega Millions have surpassed the $1 billion mark several times, including multiple events in 2023 and 2024, and 2025 will see record prize totals.
What are the chances of winning?
- Powerball: 1 in 292.2 million
- Mega Millions: 1 in 302.6 million (according to standard lottery data).
Greatest award in American history
- $2.04 billion, Powerball — November 7, 2022; California
- $1.765 billion, Powerball — October 11, 2023; California
- $1.62 billion, Mega Millions — 8 years ago. 2023;Florida
- $1.586 billion, Powerball — 13E. 2016; California, Florida, Tennessee
- $1.537 billion, Mega Millions — October 23, 2018; Carolina del South
- $1.35 billion, Mega Millions — 13 deals. 2023; Maine
- $1.337 billion, Mega Millions — July 29, 2022; Illinois
- $132.6 billion, Powerball – April 6, 2024. Oregon
- $1.13 billion, Mega Millions — March 26, 2024. new jersey
- $1.08 billion, Powerball — July 19, 2023; California
How to play Powerball?
To play, purchase a $2 ticket at a convenience store, supermarket, or gas station. Choose five numbers from 1 to 69 and one Powerball from 1 to 26. For an additional $1, you can add a Power Play to increase your secondary prizes.
Drawings take place on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday nights, and prizes continue to accumulate even if no one wins the jackpot.
News: Jackpocket is the official digital lottery messenger of USA TODAY Network. Gannett may receive 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). Gambling problems: 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 (other states). For full terms and conditions, please visit jackpocket.com/tos.
Contributed by: USA TODAY
Boris Q’va is a national Spanish language trends news reporter for Connect/USA TODAY Network. You can follow him on X as @ByBorisQva or write to him at BBalsindesUrquiola@gannett.com.
