Powerball Jackpot Reaches $1.25 Billion
Dec. 16, 2025
Updated Dec. 17, 2025 at 8:00 a.m. CST
The Current Jackpot
Days before Christmas, the Powerball jackpot has soared to $1.25 billion after no one claimed the prize Monday night.
The next drawing will be Wednesday night. If someone wins the jackpot, it would be the sixth-largest prize in the game’s history and the second-largest prize this year.
A winner would get to choose between the jackpot amount, which is paid out in 29 annual payments, or a one-time cash option of about $572.1 million.
Monday’s numbers were 23, 35, 59, 63, 68 and Powerball 2.
Breaking News
Recent Winners
Although no one won the big prize, two ticket holders in Arizona and California each won $1 million.
The largest Powerball jackpot in history was $2 billion, with the winning ticket sold in 2022 at a service station in Altadena, Calif., just north of Pasadena.
No one has matched all six numbers since Sept. 6, when two ticket holders in Texas and Missouri split nearly $1.8 billion. The winning ticket in Texas was sold at a gas station-convenience store in Fredericksburg. That was the second-largest prize in the game’s history.
Odds of Winning
The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million, while the odds of winning some sort of smaller prize are about 1 in 25. To put that into perspective, you are more likely to be attacked by a shark (1 in 11.5 million), be struck by lightning (1 in 1,171,000) or score a hole-in-one as an amateur golfer (1 in 12,500).
Managing Your Winnings
Someone does ultimately have to win, though. If that happens to be you, Dallas Mavericks minority owner and former Shark Tank personality Mark Cuban has previously given The Dallas Morning News tips for managing the winnings:
- Hire a tax attorney first.
- Opt for the annual payments; you don’t want to blow through the lump sum.
- Tell your friends and relatives no if they ask for money. If you want to help, talk to your accountant first.
- Don’t make investments so you don’t have to worry about losing money. Put the money in the bank and live comfortably.
About Powerball
Powerball, which costs $2 a ticket, is played in Texas and 44 other states, according to the Powerball website.
Conclusion
The Powerball jackpot has reached $1.25 billion, and the next drawing is on Wednesday night. While the odds of winning are low, someone will eventually win the prize. If you do win, it’s essential to manage your winnings wisely and seek professional advice to ensure a comfortable and secure future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about Powerball:
Q: How much does a Powerball ticket cost?
A: A Powerball ticket costs $2.
Q: How many states participate in Powerball?
A: Powerball is played in Texas and 44 other states.
Q: What are the odds of winning the jackpot?
A: The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million.
Q: What should I do if I win the jackpot?
A: If you win the jackpot, you should hire a tax attorney, opt for annual payments, and avoid making investments. It’s also essential to seek professional advice to manage your winnings wisely.
