2025 Delivered a Wild Triple Streak of Billion-Dollar Lottery Wins
Lottery fans in 2025 witnessed something truly rare — three massive billion-dollar jackpots from Powerball and Mega Millions, all within a few short months. From late summer through the holidays, the wins just kept coming.
Let’s break down how this unforgettable lottery year unfolded 👇
🎄 Christmas Eve Brings a Jaw-Dropping Powerball Win
The year wrapped up with a bang on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, when one lucky ticket in Arkansas matched all the right numbers to win a staggering $1.817 billion Powerball jackpot.
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The winning ticket was sold in Arkansas, also known as the Natural State
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Final ticket sales pushed the jackpot from $1.7 billion to $1.817 billion
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The ticket matched all five white balls plus the Powerball
It was easily one of the most talked-about lottery moments of the holiday season.
🔥 Summer Ends with a Historic $1.787 Billion Powerball Split
Earlier in the year, Powerball made headlines with a massive draw on Saturday, September 6, 2025. The winning numbers were:
11 – 23 – 44 – 61 – 62
Powerball: 17
Two tickets hit the jackpot — one sold in St. Louis, Missouri, and the other in Fredericksburg, Texas.
Big highlights from this draw:
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Total jackpot: $1.787 billion
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Split evenly between two winners
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Each winner received $893.5 million (or a lump sum of about $410.3 million before taxes)
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This marked the 13th time in U.S. lottery history that a jackpot crossed $1 billion
The Missouri winner later came forward, setting a state record for the largest prize ever claimed there. According to officials, the winner planned to take time off and enjoy the moment.
Texas rules required the choice of cash or annuity at ticket purchase, and that winner also walked away with roughly $410.3 million before taxes.
💰 Mega Millions Joins the Party in November
After the Powerball frenzy cooled down, Mega Millions took center stage in the fall. The jackpot rolled over again and again, climbing close to the billion-dollar mark.
On Friday, November 14, 2025, one ticket sold at a Publix grocery store in Newnan, Georgia, matched all five numbers plus the Mega Ball.
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Final jackpot: $983 million
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One of the largest Mega Millions prizes ever
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Just one more rollover would have pushed it past $1 billion
As of late December, the winner had not yet come forward. That’s not unusual — lottery officials say verification can take weeks.
⏳ What Happens If Mega Millions Winners Wait?
Under Georgia Lottery rules:
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Winners have 180 days to claim their prize
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The November 14, 2025, winner has until Wednesday, May 13, 2026
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The prize can be taken as:
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About $980 million over 30 annual payments, or
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A one-time lump sum of nearly $452.2 million before federal taxes
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⭐ Why 2025 Will Be Remembered
The year 2025 will go down as one of the most exciting periods in lottery history.
Quick fun facts:
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Three jackpots crossed the billion-dollar mark
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Powerball and Mega Millions both joined the action
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Wins came from Texas, Missouri, Georgia, and Arkansas
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The streak spanned from late summer to Christmas Eve
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