The Arkansas State Capitol seen from the southeast near the corner of W. Sixth and Woodlane streets on Nov. 11, 2025. (Photo by Sonny Albarado/Arkansas Advocate)
The winning $1.8 billion Powerball ticket sold at a Cabot gas station last year was a record-setting windfall for an unknown Arkansas resident. It also was a bit of a prize for state coffers.
The $32 million Arkansas collected in taxes from the Powerball winner was among the one-time factors that led to finance officials’ decision to increase the state’s expected budget surplus to $334 million…