Could a simple $2 lottery ticket transform your holiday season into a millionaire's dream? As lottery enthusiasts often remark, "it could happen to you."
Recent Florida Lotto Developments
Following a successful $3.75 million jackpot win on November 15 from a Circle K convenience store in Pensacola, the Florida Lotto prize reset to $1 million for the November 19 drawing. After nine consecutive rollovers without a grand prize winner, the jackpot has now grown to $8 million for the Saturday, December 20 drawing.
The winning numbers for the Wednesday, December 17 Florida Lotto drawing were 1-6-12-31-33-45, with Double Play numbers at 12-17-23-24-48-53.
Powerball's Billion-Dollar Surge
While Florida Lotto prizes continue to accumulate, Powerball has reached extraordinary heights. After no winner matched all numbers in the December 17 drawing for $1.25 billion, the jackpot increased to $1.5 billion for December 20. According to Powerball officials, a cash option winner would receive approximately $686.5 million as a lump sum payment.
This marks the 14th occasion in lottery history where either Powerball or Mega Millions has surpassed the $1 billion threshold.
The December 17 Powerball numbers were 25-33-53-62-66 with Powerball 17 and Power Play multiplier of 4x.
Florida Lotto Game Mechanics
Florida Lotto drawings occur at 11:15 p.m. Eastern Time every Wednesday and Saturday, including holiday schedules. Players select six numbers between 1 and 53, with prizes awarded for matching three to six numbers. Matching two numbers earns a free ticket for future drawings.
Additional game features include Double Play for $1, offering a secondary drawing with prizes up to $250,000, and EZmatch for $1 per play, providing instant wins if numbers match.
Recent Winning History
The most recent Florida Lotto jackpot was claimed on November 15, 2025, when a Circle K in Pensacola sold a winning Quick Pick ticket worth $3.75 million.
Earlier in the 2025 season, two significant wins occurred through Publix grocery stores:
• Robin Glover, 41, won $6.25 million on October 25, 2025, purchasing her ticket at a Holmes Beach Publix. She opted for a lump-sum payment of $3,529,535.42.
• Another player won $36.5 million on September 24, 2025, with a ticket purchased at a Hallandale Publix location.
Jackpot Progression Timeline
The current jackpot streak began at $1 million on November 19 and has increased through these milestones:
• November 22: $1.25 million
• November 26: $2 million
• November 29: $2.70 million
• December 3: $3.20 million
• December 6: $4 million
• December 10: $5 million
• December 13: $6.25 million
• December 17: $7.25 million
• December 20: $8 million
Lottery Regulations and Procedures
According to Florida Lottery statistics, players face odds of 1 in 22,957,480 to match all six numbers, regardless of jackpot size. The next drawing is scheduled for Wednesday, December 24, 2025—Christmas Eve.
Winners must claim prizes within 180 days of the drawing date. Those opting for cash payments must claim within the first 60 days following the draw.
Florida law requires disclosure of winner information including name, residence, game details, and prize amounts. However, winners of $250,000 or more receive 90 days of temporary anonymity from the claim date, unless they choose to waive this protection.
Lottery experts note there are legal strategies available for winners seeking greater privacy.
