Online lottery players chase $1.6 billion Powerball jackpot tonight, but here’s why one number should terrify you

Online lottery players are chasing a record-breaking $1.6 billion Powerball jackpot tonight as the fourth-largest prize in game history comes within reach. The Monday, December 22 drawing at 10:59 p.m. ET offers tickets to life-changing wealth, though odds remain astronomical at 1 in 292.2 million. Here’s everything players need to know before the draw.

Historic Jackpot Ranks Among Largest U.S. Lotteries

The $1.6 billion jackpot represents only the fourth occasion in Powerball history that the prize pool reached this magnitude. According to lottery records, only three Powerball jackpots have exceeded this amount. The largest on record was $2.04 billion in November 2022, won by Edwin Castro at a California gas station.

This week’s prize also ranks as the fifth-largest U.S. lottery jackpot overall when including Mega Millions drawings. The jackpot grew substantially after no winner matched all six numbers in Saturday’s December 20 drawing. That drawing produced the numbers 4, 5, 28, 52, 69, with Powerball 20, causing the prize to roll forward and increase dramatically.

Astronomical Odds and Ticket Sales Information

Players face incredibly steep challenges with odds of exactly 1 in 292.2 million to win the grand prize. To view your odds in context, you’re more likely to be struck by lightning than to win this jackpot. Despite these numbers, online lottery ticket sales have surged across eligible states ahead of tonight’s drawing.

Powerball tickets cost $2 per play, with drawings conducted every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. ET. Online ticket purchases remain available in select jurisdictions where state lotteries permit internet sales. Buyers should verify their state’s cutoff time—most close sales between 9:45 p.m. and 10 p.m. ET on drawing nights.

Category	Details
Jackpot Prize	$1.6 billion (estimated)
Lump Sum Cash Value	$735.3 million
Drawing Date & Time	Monday, December 22, 2025 at 10:59 p.m. ET
Ticket Cost	$2 per play
Winning Odds	1 in 292.2 million

Previous Saturday’s Drawing and Jackpot Rollover

Saturday evening’s December 20 drawing produced the winning numbers 4-5-28-52-69 with a Powerball of 20. No ticket matched all six numbers, meaning the grand prize rolled forward to tonight. This is the second consecutive large rollover in December, with the jackpot growing substantially after multiple draws without a jackpot winner.

The lack of grand prize winners continues to accelerate the prize pool. Powerball winners have multiple payout options available—they can select either 29 annual installments receiving the full $1.6 billion, or claim the immediate $735.3 million lump sum payment. Secondary prize winners in Saturday’s drawing included Match 5 winners earning $1 million across several states.

“The odds of winning the astronomical chunk of change is 1 in 292 million, according to Powerball’s official website. To win, you must match all five numbers and the Powerball.”

— New York Post, Powerball Coverage

Playing Online and Claiming Your Prize

Many states now permit online lottery ticket purchases through official state lottery websites and authorized retailers. Players can select their numbers or opt for Quick Pick random selections. Some states allow online ticket sales exclusively through their official apps and websites, while others require in-store purchases from licensed retailers.

Winners have 180 days to claim prizes from the date of drawing in most jurisdictions. Claims typically must be submitted to the state lottery office where the winning ticket was purchased. Large jackpot winners should consult with financial advisors and tax professionals before claiming to understand federal and state tax implications, as federal withholding of approximately 37% applies to jackpot prizes.

What Makes Tonight’s Drawing Historic?

The $1.6 billion Powerball jackpot represents a rare occurrence in U.S. lottery history. Only a handful of prizes have ever reached this magnitude across all lottery games. The Mega Millions lottery holds one record at $1.537 billion, placing Powerball’s current prize in rare company among American gambling.

Holiday season lottery ticket sales traditionally spike as players pursue dreams of winning large jackpots. Tonight’s drawing falls just days before the Christmas holiday, adding emotional investment for hopeful participants. The astronomical prize represents approximately 640 million times the cost of a single ticket, though probability mathematically ensures losses across the player pool.

Sources

• Powerball.com – Official Powerball website with drawing information
• CNN Business – Reporting on $1.6 billion jackpot and historical rankings
• AP News – Coverage of December 2025 Powerball developments