A Florida ticket holder is starting the week with a major windfall after state lottery officials confirmed that a $1 million prize was won in Monday night’s drawing, even as the Powerball jackpot surged to an estimated $930 million for Wednesday.
No ticket matched all six numbers, allowing the growing pot to edge closer to the billion dollar mark for the first time since early summer.
The winning numbers for the Dec. 8 drawing were eight, thirty two, fifty two, fifty six and sixty four, with twenty three selected as the red Powerball. The Power Play multiplier was two.
While the national drawing did not produce a grand prize winner, officials said the Florida ticket matched all five white balls but not the Powerball, securing the second highest payout available. The ticket was sold at a 7-Eleven at 3991 S. Kanner Highway in southeast Florida.
“The store has been notified and the prize is being processed according to standard procedures,” Florida Lottery spokesperson Marisol Vega said. She added that winners have one hundred eighty days to claim their prizes from the date of the drawing.
The previous Powerball jackpot stood at $875 million, continuing a streak of rollovers that began in mid October. Powerball drawings are held every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Lottery analysts said the current run reflects broader national patterns as fewer players match all six numbers during high value periods. Dr. Stephen Hart, a probability researcher at the University of Central Florida, said the odds of winning the grand prize remain “astronomically steep.”
“The odds of hitting the Powerball jackpot are roughly one in two hundred ninety two million,” Hart said. “Large rollovers are built into the structure of the game, so it’s common for jackpots to soar into the high hundreds of millions several times a year.”
Hart added that higher jackpots tend to encourage more casual players to enter, further accelerating the prize growth. “When the jackpot approaches a billion dollars, participation spikes dramatically,” he said.
This is the fourth time in the last two years that the Powerball jackpot has neared or surpassed the one billion dollar threshold.
The largest recorded Powerball prize remains the $2.04 billion ticket won in California in 2022.
More than three million tickets nationwide won smaller prizes in Monday’s drawing, including individual payouts of $50,000 and $100,000 in several states.
Florida has historically been among the most active lottery markets in the country. In the last fiscal year, the state recorded over $9 billion in ticket sales across all games, with Powerball consistently among the highest grossing offerings.
“Florida sees significant participation in national draws, especially when jackpots climb,” Vega said. “High value stretches are a major driver of revenue for educational programs funded by lottery proceeds.”
Locals near the winning store said excitement spread quickly after the announcement.
“I stopped here for coffee on my way to work, and everyone was talking about it,” said Jennifer Soto, a Stuart resident. “Even if you don’t win the billion, a million dollars would change anyone’s life.”
Store manager Ahmad Rahim said employees were “thrilled” to hear about the winning ticket. “We get a lot of regulars, so we’re hoping it’s someone from the neighborhood,” Rahim said.
Some customers said the rising Powerball jackpot has drawn them back into playing. “I don’t always buy tickets, but when it gets close to a billion, it’s hard not to try,” said Mike Reynolds, who purchased three tickets Tuesday morning.
With no winner since October, lottery officials expect sales to continue climbing through Wednesday’s drawing. If no one wins midweek, the Powerball jackpot could exceed $1 billion, placing it among the largest in the game’s history.
Retailers across Florida reported increased traffic Tuesday as players purchased tickets ahead of the next draw. “This is when you see people buying in groups, offices pooling money and families making joint purchases,” Vega said.
Experts noted that while interest grows with the jackpot, winners of even modest prizes should take careful steps. Financial adviser Claire Mitchell said players should consult professionals when handling large sums.
“A million dollars is a life altering amount, but it requires planning,” Mitchell said. “Winners should understand taxes, claim options and long term financial strategies.”
As Wednesday’s drawing approaches with the Powerball jackpot nearing the billion dollar mark, excitement continues to rise nationwide.
For one Florida player, Monday’s drawing already delivered a seven figure prize, while millions of others prepare for the next chance at the extraordinary payout.
The growing jackpot adds another chapter to a streak defined by long odds, record breaking totals and a nation captivated by the possibility of a life changing win.
