The holiday season has delivered an early gift for one lucky resident in Indian River County, proving that you don’t necessarily need to hit the historic Powerball jackpot to walk away a big winner this week. While millions of eyes are fixed on the multi-billion dollar national prize, a ticket sold right here in Vero Beach has turned a local player into a six-figure winner just in time for Christmas.
According to lottery reports following Monday night’s drawings, a Vero Beach player secured a top prize in the Fantasy 5 game. The winning ticket, purchased at a local Publix, is worth approximately $119,000. This substantial local win comes amidst a frenzy of lottery activity across the state as the major national jackpots continue to roll over.
While the Vero Beach winner celebrates their Fantasy 5 luck, the rest of the Sunshine State is gearing up for a historic event. The Powerball jackpot has soared to an estimated $1.7 billion for the upcoming Christmas Eve drawing. Lottery officials report that the cash value of this staggering prize now stands at $781.3 million, ranking it among the largest jackpots in the game’s history.
Although the grand prize was not claimed in Monday’s drawing, Florida remains a hotspot for luck. The state was home to one of eight players nationwide who matched all five white balls, securing a $1 million second-tier prize.
Monday night’s winning Powerball numbers were:
03, 18, 36, 41, and 54, with a Powerball of 7 and a Power Play of 2x.
In addition to the Florida winner, million-dollar tickets were sold in Georgia, Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Wisconsin, and two in New York.
Residents in Vero Beach and across the Treasure Coast have one more chance to try their luck before the holiday. The next Powerball drawing is scheduled for Wednesday, December 24, 2025, at 10:59 p.m. If you purchased a Fantasy 5 ticket at a Vero Beach Publix for Monday’s draw, you are urged to check your numbers immediately, as you may be the region’s newest winner.
