Published on: December 22, 2025, 08:26h.
Updated on: December 22, 2025, 08:26h.
- This morning, the Spanish Christmas Lottery was drawn.
- Powerball’s jackpot has soared to $1.6 billion for tonight’s drawing.
Every year, on December 22, the Spanish Christmas Lottery, recognized as the world’s richest annual lottery, is held.
Beginning this festive week, Spain’s state-operated lottery organization, Loterías y Apuestas del Estado, launched the Christmas Lottery. This event is the highlight of the year, celebrated annually since its inception in 1812.
Participants can choose from 100,000 five-digit numbers, purchasing tenths for $20 or entire numbers for $200. This year, the top prize was awarded to number 79432.
Every $20 ticket for the number 79432 earned a tenth of €4 million, translating to around US$470,000. Reports indicate that 1,980 tenths of the 79432 number were sold.
Beyond the top prize, the Spanish Christmas Lottery distributed over €2.7 billion in total winnings, establishing yet another record. With overall sales exceeding €3.5 billion, the average contribution per person reached €72.
Funds from Spain’s lottery support public welfare and social initiatives.
Powerball Reaches Near-Record Heights
The Powerball jackpot has remained unclaimed since September 6, marking tonight’s drawing as the 46th in the current jackpot cycle—a record-setting streak.
Is it certain that the jackpot will be won tonight? Not necessarily, since the odds of any single ticket winning remain fixed at more than one in 292.2 million. However, the more participants that join, the greater the chances of the jackpot being hit.
Tonight’s estimated Powerball jackpot stands at $1.6 billion, offering a one-time cash option of $735.3 million. This marks the fifth-largest lottery prize ever recorded in the US and the fourth-largest in Powerball history.
“Powerball allows players to dream bigger than ever this holiday season,” stated Matt Strawn, Powerball Product Group Chair and CEO of the Iowa Lottery. “Each ticket sold not only presents an opportunity for a life-altering reward but also contributes to essential public services and programs in communities nationwide. We encourage everyone to embrace the excitement responsibly.”
Powerball is available in 45 states, along with the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands. More than half of all Powerball sales remain within the jurisdiction where the ticket was purchased.
Impact of Lottery Funding
Since its launch in 1992, Powerball has generated over $37 billion for charitable organizations funded by participating lotteries.
In New York, which boasts the highest lottery revenue with sales exceeding $10.5 billion in 2024, lottery funds significantly contribute to public education. Since its establishment in 1967, New York K-12 public schools have benefitted from over $84 billion in lottery revenues.
In Pennsylvania, the lottery primarily serves the elderly by providing reduced property taxes, discounted or complimentary medications, and care services.
Minnesota directs its lottery earnings towards environmental and natural resource initiatives.