$1.8 Billion Christmas Miracle: Single Arkansas Ticket Hits Powerball Jackpot

One lucky person in Arkansas is ending the year as a new billionaire. A single winning ticket sold in the state has hit the massive $1.817 billion Powerball jackpot. The drawing happened on Christmas Eve. This prize is the second-largest in the game's history. The winner can choose to receive the full amount as an annuity paid over 30 years. Alternatively, they can take a smaller one-time cash payment, which would be an estimated $782.4 million. The winning numbers were 9, 14, 17, 18, and 53, with a Powerball number of 16. The exact location where the ticket was sold has not yet been announced. Lottery officials urge the winner to sign the back of the ticket immediately and contact the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery to begin the prize claim process. No information about the winner's identity is currently available.