ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) — Christmas Eve just got a lot more exciting for lottery players across Georgia. The Dec. 24, 2025 Powerball drawing offers a staggering $1.7 billion jackpot—and residents are lining up for their chance at the fourth-largest prize in the game’s history.

For some, like Tonya Ford, the dream is crystal clear.

“If I win this Powerball, I’m getting a Ford Raptor. That’ll be my first big purchase,” Ford said, holding up her ticket. “After that, I will pay off my kids’ college and just enjoy life, live my best life ever. Travel, definitely take care of family, give them their little bits, send them on their way and live the best life I’ve ever had.”

According to Powerball, the jackpot has only been won on Christmas Eve once before in the game’s history. The odds of winning are one in 292 million.

While many are caught up in the excitement, not everyone is buying in. John Wilson, who prefers scratch tickets, said he’s sitting this one out.

“This is what I play: scratch tickets. I don’t play the Powerball,” Wilson said. “You got to be extremely lucky to win that kind of money. I don’t think I’m that lucky.”

Despite the long odds, one ticket sold in Georgia already won $1 million on Monday, Dec. 22—matching everything but the Powerball number.

At one local Shell station, employees say they have seen winning tickets before. Three months ago, someone purchased a $50,000 winning ticket at the Shell in Leesburg.

Store employees say the excitement for tonight’s drawing is palpable.

“One guy came in yesterday and spent $520 on nothing but Powerball,” said Tamara Woodell, a Thomasville Shell station employee. “And today, if 10 people come in here, eight are buying Powerball.”

The drawing takes place Dec. 24 at 11 p.m. In Georgia, tickets stop selling at 10 p.m.

Whether someone wins on Christmas Eve or the jackpot continues to grow, it’s shaping up to be a Christmas to remember for lottery players across the state.

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