By Harshit
WASHINGTON, Dec. 16 —
No Grand Prize Winner in Monday Night Draw
The Powerball jackpot has surged to an estimated $1.25 billion after no ticket matched all six numbers in Monday night’s drawing, lottery officials said.
The winning numbers drawn were 23, 35, 59, 63, and 68, with the red Powerball number 2. The Power Play multiplier was 4, according to Powerball.
This marks the second time this year that the Powerball jackpot has crossed the $1 billion mark, continuing a recent trend of massive lottery prizes driven by extended rollovers.
Million-Dollar Tickets Sold in Two States
While no one claimed the jackpot, two tickets sold in Arizona and California matched all five white balls, earning $1 million each.
In addition, the drawing produced:
- 43 tickets winning $50,000, and
- 14 tickets winning $200,000 after applying the Power Play multiplier, Powerball officials said.
One of the Largest Jackpots in Recent History
The current jackpot is now the 12th Powerball prize to exceed $1 billion in the past five years, underscoring how frequently massive payouts have become in recent lottery history.
The largest jackpot of 2025 occurred in September, when a $1.787 billion prize was split between winners in Missouri and Texas. Those winners opted for a lump sum payment of about $410 million before taxes, rather than annual installments.
Lump Sum vs Annuity: What Winners Actually Receive
The advertised jackpot amount reflects the annuity option, which pays the full prize through 30 escalating payments over 29 years, funded through long-term investments.
Had someone won Monday night, the $1.1 billion advertised prize would have applied only if they selected the annuity.
For the upcoming drawing, the estimated lump sum payout — the amount taken by most winners — is $572.1 million before taxes, lottery officials said.
Lottery Officials Urge Responsible Play
Matt Strawn, CEO of the Iowa Lottery and Chair of the Powerball Product Group, said the timing of the jackpot has heightened interest as the holiday season approaches.
“Powerball has only seen back-to-back billion-dollar jackpots twice, and this one has arrived just in time for the holidays,” Strawn said.
“While it’s exciting to see the jackpot climb to this level, please remember to play responsibly. A single $2 ticket gives you a chance to win, while also supporting good causes in your community.”
Next Drawing Raises Anticipation Nationwide
With the jackpot continuing to grow, ticket sales are expected to rise sharply ahead of the next drawing. Powerball is played in 45 states, as well as Washington, DC, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, with proceeds supporting education and public programs.
The next drawing will determine whether the current run becomes one of the largest single-winner jackpots in U.S. lottery history.