$1.82B Powerball Jackpot Won, Ranking Second in Lottery History

A Powerball ticket holder won a $1.82 billion jackpot in Wednesday night’s drawing, marking the second-largest prize in U.S. lottery history.

The winning ticket matched all six numbers drawn on Christmas Eve: 4, 25, 31, 52, 59 and the Powerball 19. Lottery officials confirmed the jackpot was won, though the identity of the ticket holder has not been released.

The jackpot was initially estimated at $1.7 billion but increased after final ticket sales were tallied. The winner can choose between the $1.82 billion annuity paid over 29 years or a one-time lump-sum payment of $834.9 million before taxes.

It was the second time a Powerball grand prize has been won on Christmas Eve. The first occurred in 2011, when a $128.8 million jackpot was claimed.

The last Powerball jackpot was won on Sept. 6, when two tickets split a $1.78 billion prize. Each winner opted for the lump-sum cash payout of $410.3 million.

The odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million.

The Powerball grand prize resets to $20 million for Saturday’s drawing.