Monday, December 15, 2025 – The anticipation has reached a fever pitch across the United States as the Powerball jackpot soared to an estimated $1.1 billion for tonight’s drawing. This marks the sixth-largest jackpot in the history of the game, drawing millions of hopeful players to retailers and online apps in a frenzy of ticket buying.

Below, you will find the official winning numbers, a breakdown of the prize tiers with the 4x Power Play, and essential information on what to do next if you are holding a winning ticket.

🔴 Official Winning Numbers: Dec 15, 2025

The winning numbers were drawn live from the Florida Lottery draw studio in Tallahassee at 10:59 PM ET.

Did Anyone Win the $1.1 Billion Jackpot?

Status: Pending Verification

As of the immediate aftermath of the drawing, lottery officials are currently verifying ticket sales from all 48 participating jurisdictions (45 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands).

• If a winner is confirmed: The jackpot will reset to its starting amount of $20 million for the next drawing on Wednesday.
• If no winner is found: The jackpot will likely roll over and surge even higher, potentially exceeding $1.2 billion for the Wednesday, December 17 drawing.

Please check back or consult your official state lottery website for the final confirmation on the jackpot winner status, which typically updates by early Tuesday morning.

Prize Breakdown & Power Play Impact

Even if you didn’t match all six numbers to win the grand prize, the 4x Power Play multiplier drawn tonight significantly boosts lower-tier non-jackpot prizes.

Here is what the payouts look like for this drawing:

*Note: The Match 5 “Power Play” prize is capped at $2 million, regardless of the multiplier drawn.

Analyzing the $1.1 Billion Jackpot

This specific jackpot run began on September 6, 2025, and has rolled over 43 consecutive times without a Grand Prize winner. Why is the jackpot so high?

1. Interest Rates and Inflation

The advertised jackpot of $1.1 billion is an annuity estimate. Because interest rates have remained relatively high in 2025, the lottery commission can invest the cash value (approx. $503.4 million) in government bonds that yield better returns over 30 years. This allows them to advertise a larger headline number compared to the cash value.

2. Historical Context

Monday’s jackpot sits as the 6th largest in U.S. lottery history. Here is how it compares to the top 5:

1. $2.04 Billion (Nov 2022) – California
2. $1.765 Billion (Oct 2023) – California
3. $1.787 Billion (Sept 2025) – Missouri, Texas
4. $1.586 Billion (Jan 2016) – CA, FL, TN
5. $1.326 Billion (April 2024) – Oregon
6. $1.10 Billion (Est.) (Dec 15, 2025) – Pending

Financial Reality: Cash vs. Annuity

If a single ticket holder wins tonight, they face a massive financial decision.

• The Annuity Option: The winner receives the full $1.1 billion paid out over 29 years (30 payments total). The payments increase by 5% each year to combat inflation.
• The Cash Option: The winner receives a one-time lump sum of approximately $503.4 million. This is the option most winners choose.

Tax Breakdown (Estimated for Cash Option)

• Gross Prize: $503,400,000
• Federal Tax Withholding (24%): -$120,816,000
• Remaining Federal Tax Liability (up to 37%): You will likely owe another 13% come tax season (approx. $65.4 million).
• State Taxes: Vary from 0% (e.g., Florida, Texas, California) to over 10% (e.g., New York, New Jersey).

Bottom Line: A single cash winner in a state with no lottery tax would take home roughly $317 million after all federal taxes are settled.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I buy Powerball tickets online?
A: Yes, but only in select states (e.g., Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Virginia) and the District of Columbia. Be wary of third-party courier apps; ensure they are licensed in your jurisdiction.

Q: What happens if I lose my ticket?
A: A lottery ticket is a “bearer instrument.” If you lose an unsigned ticket, anyone who finds it can claim the prize. The lottery commission is not responsible for lost or stolen tickets.

Q: When is the next drawing?
A: The next Powerball drawing will be held on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at 10:59 PM ET.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Official results should always be verified with your state lottery. Amounts listed are estimates.