Big news for Western New York! A lucky ticket worth $50,000 was just sold at the Tonawanda Bowling Center on Young Street. While there was no grand prize winner Monday night, that means the jackpot has officially rocketed to a staggering $1.7 Billion for the Christmas Eve drawing! 🎄✨
Tonawanda Bowling Center Sells $50,000 Powerball Ticket as Jackpot Rockets to $1.7 Billion
TONAWANDA, N.Y. — A local resident is waking up to a much brighter holiday season after a $50,000 winning Powerball ticket was sold at the Tonawanda Bowling Center for the Monday, December 22, 2025, drawing. While the elusive grand prize jackpot remained unclaimed, the win has electrified the Western New York community as the national prize pool surges to a staggering $1.7 billion for Christmas Eve.
Local Luck on Young Street
The winning third-prize ticket was purchased at the popular Tonawanda Bowling Center, located at 574 Young Street. To win the $50,000 prize, the lucky ticket holder matched four out of the five white balls plus the red Powerball.
The winning numbers for the Monday night drawing were: 3, 18, 36, 41, 54 and the Powerball was 7. The Power Play multiplier for the evening was 2.
This local win comes during what is being described as “Lottery Fever Week” in New York. State lottery officials have noted that Western New York has seen a significant uptick in secondary-prize winners over the last three months, though the identity of the Tonawanda winner remains unknown. Under New York State law, winners of prizes over $5,000 are not required to remain anonymous, but many choose to take their time before coming forward to claim their windfall.
The $1.7 Billion Christmas Eve Miracle
Because no one across the country matched all six numbers on Monday, the Powerball jackpot has officially rolled over to an estimated $1.7 billion for the drawing on Wednesday, December 24, 2025.
This monumental prize now stands as the fourth-largest jackpot in the history of the Powerball game and the broader U.S. lottery system. The current jackpot run has broken a game record, marking the 47th consecutive drawing without a grand prize winner since the cycle began in early September.
The Grand Prize Breakdown
If a single lucky player matches all six numbers on Christmas Eve, they will face a life-changing choice:
- The Annuity: A series of 30 graduated payments over 29 years, starting with an immediate installment and increasing by 5% annually until reaching the $1.7 billion total.
- The Cash Option: A one-time lump-sum payment estimated at $781.3 million.
Note: Both options are subject to a mandatory 24% federal withholding tax, plus an additional federal tax rate of up to 37% for the highest income bracket. New York residents also face a state tax of 8.82% and potential local taxes.
National Winners and Near-Misses
While the jackpot remained out of reach, the December 22 drawing was far from a quiet night for players across the United States. Nationwide, the drawing produced:
- 9 Millionaires: Nine tickets matched all five white balls but missed the Powerball to win $1 million each. These tickets were sold in Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Wisconsin, and two right here in New York.
- 107 Second-Tier Winners: 107 players, including the winner in Tonawanda, won $50,000 prizes.
- 28 Power Play Winners: 28 individuals who added the “Power Play” feature to their ticket saw their $50,000 prize double to $100,000.
The Odds of a Christmas Eve Win
As millions of Americans rush to local retailers to grab a $2 ticket before Wednesday’s 10:59 p.m. ET cutoff, experts remind players of the steep mountain they have to climb.
The odds of winning the grand prize are a daunting 1 in 292.2 million. To put that in perspective, you are statistically more likely to be struck by lightning or to be dealt a royal flush in a game of poker on your first try. However, the overall odds of winning any prize (starting at $4 for just the Powerball) are a much more encouraging 1 in 24.87.
Top 5 Largest Powerball Jackpots
| Rank | Jackpot Amount | Date | State(s) |
| 1 | $2.04 Billion | Nov. 2022 | CA |
| 2 | $1.787 Billion | Sept. 2025 | MO, TX |
| 3 | $1.765 Billion | Oct. 2023 | CA |
| 4 | $1.7 Billion (Est.) | Dec. 2025 | Pending |
| 5 | $1.586 Billion | Jan. 2016 | CA, FL, TN |
What Should the Tonawanda Winner Do Now?
If you are holding the winning ticket from the Tonawanda Bowling Center, financial experts suggest the following immediate steps:
- Sign the Back: Immediately sign the back of your ticket to establish legal ownership.
- Secure the Ticket: Store the ticket in a fireproof safe or a bank safety deposit box.
- Seek Professional Advice: Before heading to the New York Lottery office in Schenectady or Buffalo, consult with a financial planner and a tax attorney to navigate the sudden influx of wealth.
With the next drawing occurring on Christmas Eve, many are wondering if “Santa” will finally deliver the ultimate gift to a lucky player. As the Tonawanda Bowling Center celebrates its role in this historic run, the rest of the nation remains on the edge of its seat.