Little Rock, Arkansas – An Arkansas ticket holder has secured a massive $250.8 million Powerball jackpot, marking another historic win for the Natural State.
The jackpot-winning ticket was sold in Arkansas for the March 2 Powerball drawing, instantly transforming an ordinary lottery purchase into a potentially life-changing prize. The winning numbers drawn that evening were 2, 17, 18, 38 and 62, while the Powerball number was 20. The drawing also included a Power Play multiplier of 2.
Officials with the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery confirmed the winning ticket matched all required numbers to claim the enormous prize.
Life-changing prize and payout options
The lucky winner will soon face a major financial decision. According to lottery officials, the ticket holder may choose between two different payout options.
The first option is the annuitized jackpot valued at $250.8 million, which would be paid out over time through annual installments. The second option allows the winner to receive a one-time lump sum payment of $118 million. Both figures represent amounts before taxes are applied.
State and federal tax laws will reduce the prize. Under current rules, Arkansas state taxes will withhold 3.9 percent, while federal taxes will withhold 24 percent from the winnings.
Lottery officials expressed excitement about the major win and the benefits it brings not only to the winner but also to communities across Arkansas.
“We couldn’t be more excited that another jackpot-winning Powerball ticket was sold in Arkansas,” said Arkansas Scholarship Lottery (ASL) Executive Director Sharon Strong. “We’re always happy to see another player land a life-changing prize, knowing that retailers, students and Arkansans as a whole will benefit from the win.”
Beyond the excitement surrounding the jackpot itself, lottery proceeds help fund educational opportunities across the state. Revenue generated from lottery ticket sales supports student scholarships for Arkansas residents, helping thousands pursue higher education.
Claim process and rules for the winner
State policy provides the winning ticket holder with 180 days from the date of the drawing to officially claim the jackpot prize. Detailed instructions on how the winner can begin the claim process are available on the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery website at MyArkansasLottery.com.
Arkansas law also offers the winner a measure of privacy. The individual who purchased the ticket may choose to remain anonymous for up to three years, unless the winner is an elected official or an immediate relative of one.
Lottery officials said additional information about the winning ticket and its location may be released as the claim process moves forward.
While excitement continues to build, officials are also reminding residents that attempting to fraudulently claim a lottery prize carries serious legal consequences. Arkansas Scholarship Lottery representatives warned that submitting fake or altered tickets in hopes of collecting the prize is illegal.
Under state law, attempting to claim lottery money through fraudulent means is considered a Class D felony in Arkansas.
Following the historic March 2 drawing, the Powerball jackpot has now reset to $20 million for the next drawing, giving players across the country another chance to chase the dream of a life-changing win.
For now, Arkansas residents are left wondering who the lucky ticket holder might be, while one person somewhere in the state holds a ticket worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
