Arkansas Winner of $1.8 Billion Powerball Keeps Identity Hidden

A single Powerball ticket purchased at a Murphy USA gas station in Cabot, Arkansas, matched all six numbers in Monday’s drawing, securing the second-largest jackpot in U.S. lottery history: $1.8 billion. The fortunate winner has emerged as one of the most mysterious figures in recent gaming news.

Arkansas Law Shields Winner’s Identity

Under Arkansas regulations enacted in 2021, lottery winners claiming prizes exceeding $500,000 can request anonymity. The winner’s name will remain confidential for three years before becoming public record. This legal protection stands in contrast to states like New Hampshire and South Carolina, where anonymity is permanent. Several states including New Jersey, Georgia, Arizona, and Florida have adopted similar privacy measures in recent years.

Prize Options and Timeline

The winner can select between annual payments or accept a lump-sum payout of $834.9 million before taxes. Importantly, they have 180 days from the drawing date to claim their prize. The Murphy USA gas station that sold the winning ticket will receive a $50,000 bonus.

This victory marks a remarkable turn of fortune for the anonymous Arkansan, who now joins an elite group of major lottery winners. The extended anonymity period provides the winner valuable time to plan financial decisions, seek professional advice, and adjust to their sudden wealth before public scrutiny intensifies. As the three-year privacy window unfolds, the winner’s eventual identity reveal promises to capture national attention once again.