Published on: January 22, 2026, 10:10 AM.
Updated on: January 22, 2026, 10:40 AM.
- A resident of Arkansas has claimed the staggering $1.87 billion Powerball jackpot
- Under state law, the winner’s identity will remain confidential for three years
- The winner chose the immediate cash option, amounting to around $834.9 million
The victor of the $1.817 billion Powerball jackpot from Christmas Eve has emerged, though their identity will not be disclosed for the next three years.
The Arkansas Scholarship Lottery confirmed that the ticket sold on December 24 matched the winning numbers of 4, 25, 31, 52, 59, with the red Powerball being 19. The fortunate winner has claimed this life-altering reward, choosing to remain unnamed for a period of three years as allowed by state regulations.
Lottery representatives announced that the winner selected the one-time cash payout option of $834.9 million. After accounting for federal taxes and the state’s 3.9% fee, their final take-home amount is approximately $493.5 million.
The winning ticket was acquired at the Murphy USA gas station located next to Walmart Supercenter, situated at 208 S. Rockwood Drive in Cabot.
Details about the Winner
While the Arkansas Lottery release lacked specific details about the winner’s future plans regarding the sizable winnings, it was confirmed that the individual is a resident of Arkansas.
“We appreciate the winner taking the time to consult legal and financial experts as we advised. We’re thrilled that they are from Arkansas,” remarked Sharon Strong, Executive Director of the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery.
“This is a moment to celebrate not just for our winner from Arkansas and Murphy USA, the local business that sold the winning ticket, but also for the positive ramifications this monumental jackpot will have on our state and our mission to support local scholarship funds,” Strong continued.
For selling the winning ticket, Murphy USA has received a $50,000 bonus commission, which is awarded only once the ticket is claimed.
The Arkansas Lottery reported that Powerball sales exceeded $15 million during the jackpot run that lasted for a record 47 draws. During this period, Arkansas retailers earned a total of $768,267 in commissions.
Arkansas Anonymity Regulations
In 2021, legislation was enacted in Arkansas enabling big lottery winners to maintain their anonymity for three years, a law signed by Governor Asa Hutchinson (R). This applies only to winnings exceeding $500,000.
“If a lottery winner who wins more than five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) requests that their records or information submitted to the Office of the Arkansas Lottery remain confidential, such records will be treated as confidential and will not be publicly disclosed,” the law stipulates. “Records or information deemed confidential will be made public after three years.”
The option for anonymity is not applicable to any “elected official,” defined as anyone holding an elective office in government, whether elected or appointed.