Category: Montana Lottery News

HELENA – The Montana Lottery Commission has approved the Lottery’s game design for the 2025 edition of Montana Millionaire. After discussion and a public comment opportunity, the Commission approved it with a unanimous vote at its June 12 meeting.

The 2025 edition of the game will feature 620,000 tickets, five $1 million grand prizes, more instant-win prizes, and a “Quarter Million Monday” drawing for $250,000 on Dec. 1. There will be no change to the $20 price.

“We’ve listened to our players and sales agents and combined their feedback with our team’s knowledge to responsibly enhance the 2025 Montana Millionaire after last year’s surprising sell-out,” commented Montana Lottery Director Bob Brown.

Last year’s game went on sale at 5:30 a.m. and sold out of its 500,000 tickets at 8:16 a.m., surprising Lottery officials who anticipated the additional 120,000 tickets from the year prior would slow, rather than accelerate, the rate of sales.

In summary, highlights of the 2025 game design include:

• Five $1 million grand prizes
• Better odds to win $1 million
• 120,000 more tickets available
• 200 more $500 instant wins
• 1,600 more $100 instant wins
• The $250,000 Quarter Million Monday Drawing
• Better overall odds

Montana Millionaire sales will go live Saturday, Nov. 1 at 5:30 a.m.

HELENA – The Montana Lottery this week issued a Request for Information (RFI) from vendors regarding the latest technology available for lottery operating systems and related services.

RFI respondents are encouraged to provide comprehensive insights into their offerings and consider how their proposed solutions could align with the Montana Lottery’s objectives. Insights gained through this process will inform potential future solicitations, such as Requests for Proposals (RFPs).

“Through this RFI, we’re doing our due diligence to identify the industry’s best-in-class equipment and services for the next generation of the Montana Lottery experience,” said Director Bob Brown. “We are looking forward to what our partners in the industry have to offer for our future consideration.”

The Montana Lottery’s existing operating systems contract is expected to end in March 2026.

For more information and to access the RFI document, visit the State Procurement Bureau’s website at spb.mt.gov.

HELENA – The Montana Lottery Commission has approved the Lottery’s game design for the 2024 edition of Montana Millionaire. After discussion and a public comment opportunity, the Commission approved it with a unanimous vote at its March 7 meeting.

The 2024 edition of the game will feature 500,000 tickets, four $1 million grand prizes, more instant-win prizes, and a new “Quarter Million Monday” drawing for $250,000 on Dec. 2 in lieu of the former “Early Bird” drawings. The odds of winning will improve, and there will be no change to the $20 price.

“This year’s Montana Millionaire has been designed to build on last year’s success in a responsible way while combining feedback from players and sales agents with the extensive knowledge of the Lottery’s staff,” said Montana Lottery Director Bob Brown.

Last year’s game went on sale at 5:30 a.m. and sold out of its 380,000 tickets at 10:26 a.m., surprising Lottery officials who anticipated the additional 100,000 tickets from the year before would slow, rather than accelerate, the rate of sales.

In summary, highlights of the 2024 game design include:

Four $1 million grand prizes

Better odds to win $1 million

120,000 more tickets available

200 more $500 instant wins

2,500 more $100 instant wins

New $250,000 mid-game drawing

Better overall odds

Similar payout percentage

Montana Millionaire sales will go live Nov. 1.

HELENA – The Montana Lottery today announced its commitment as a Lottery Level 1 participant of the 2023 Gift Responsibly Campaign, joining lotteries and community organizations across North America and around the world to raise awareness about the risks of underage lottery use. The campaign is organized by the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) and the International Center for Youth Gambling Problems and High-Risk Behaviors at McGill University.

Research shows that the earlier a person’s participation or exposure to gambling is in childhood, the more likely they are to develop a gambling problem later in life. Gambling exposure during childhood is often through some kind of lottery product, such as lottery tickets or scratch offs. Often these items are given to a child by an adult who is unaware of the associated risks.

“The Gift Responsibly Campaign is an important cause we’re proud to be a part of every year to raise awareness of appropriate gift-giving around the holiday season,” said Montana Lottery Director Scott Sales. “Lottery tickets do make great gifts, but only for adults.”

The Montana Lottery has signed on to the 2023 Gift Responsibly Campaign as a Lottery Level 1 participant. During December, the Lottery will work to promote awareness about the risks of underage lottery use with lottery machine video screens, a press release, and social media.

HELENA – The Montana Lottery on Wednesday will launch its 17th annual Montana Millionaire raffle game with three $1 million grand prizes available to win.

Tickets go on sale across the state at 5:30 a.m. and sell for $20 each. They will be available until they sell out, which last year occurred less than two days after going on sale.

In response to the unprecedented demand, the Lottery in March announced it would add 100,000 tickets and a third $1 million grand prize to 2023’s game. Even with 380,000 tickets in total, Lottery officials still anticipate a quick sellout.

“Montana Millionaire is the best odds of winning a million bucks in Montana, but for the best odds of being able to buy a ticket, we suggest stopping by a lottery retailer on Wednesday or Thursday if at all possible,” said Montana Lottery Director Scott Sales.

Every Montana Millionaire ticket is eligible to win one of 4,100 instant-win prizes of $100 or $500, plus three drawings: one for $25,000 on Nov. 24, one for $100,000 on Dec. 15, and the grand prize drawings for three $1 million prizes on Dec. 26.

For more information about how to play, drawings, and prizes, visit montanalottery.com.

HELENA – The Montana Lottery’s next scheduled commission meeting will be held on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. The meeting will take place at Lottery Headquarters and by video conference call. The meeting is open to the public. A complete agenda, meeting materials and instruction for accessing the meeting are available on the Lottery’s website at: https://www.montanalottery.com/en/view/commissioners.

The Lottery Commission consists of five members appointed to four-year staggered terms by the Governor. Current Commissioners are Jon Metropoulos, Helena; Leo Prigge, Butte; Tony Harbaugh, Miles City; Steve Morris, Helena; and Janna Taylor of Dayton.

Lottery Commissioners are responsible for determining policies for the operation of the Lottery and considering recommendations of Lottery staff in the types and forms of games offered, as well as percentages of prizes paid and price of each ticket or chance sold.

The State of Montana makes reasonable accommodations for any known disability that may interfere with a person’s ability to participate in State Government. Persons needing an accommodation should notify Bryan Costigan, no later than 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023, to allow adequate time to make necessary arrangements. Please call (406) 444-5804 or TTY 444-9642 to make your request known.

The Montana Lottery was created by citizen’s referendum in 1986. Since then, it has paid over $853 million in prizes and returned approximately $320 million to the State of Montana and $90 million in sales agent commissions.

HELENA – Governor Greg Gianforte has appointed Janna Taylor of Dayton to the Montana Lottery Commission.

Taylor served in both bodies of the Montana Legislature between 2005 and 2015, including leadership positions as Speaker pro Tempore of the House and Majority Whip of the Senate.

Montana Lottery Director Scott Sales, who worked with Taylor in the Legislature, praised her appointment as a win for the Lottery.

“The new Commissioner Taylor has a proven record as a dedicated public servant,” said Director Sales. “I welcome her to the Commission and look forward to working with her again, this time to maximize the positive impacts of the Lottery.”

The Montana Lottery Commission is comprised of Montanans appointed by the Governor to approve games and contracts, establish policy, oversee operations, and maximize net revenue paid to the state.

By law, Montana’s Lottery Commission consists of five members appointed by the Governor. Taylor replaces Dwaine Iverson, who resigned to accept another state government appointment.

The Montana Lottery was created by citizen’s referendum in 1986. Since then, it has paid over $853 million in prizes and returned approximately $320 million to the State of Montana and $90 million in sales agent commissions.

HELENA – The Montana Lottery today announced record sales of $149.5 million for fiscal year 2023, which ended June 30. Compared to last year, sales increased by $32.2 million, or 27.5 percent.

By product, record or high jackpots drove sales of national lotto games to new heights. Mega Millions more than doubled, while Powerball grew more than 50 percent.

Montana’s own lotto game, Montana Cash, also grew more than 50 percent while other Montana-only products increased up to 12 percent. The state’s sports wagering product, Sports Bet Montana, rose by 30.9 percent for total sales of $59.3 million.

“This is a banner year for the Montana Lottery,” said Director Scott Sales. “Across all product groups, both national and Montana-only, we grew or held the line. Strong jackpots, attractive game designs and a talented staff all contributed to what’s going to be a major boon for the important programs the Lottery supports.”

Ticket sales fund prizes, ticket costs, operating expenses, and sales agent commissions. Remaining proceeds transfer to the State of Montana.

In FY23, the first $2 million of proceeds will fund Montana’s STEM/Healthcare Scholarship Program. The balance will transfer to the General Fund to be dispersed by the Montana Legislature. The General Fund amount will not be known until financial statements have been completed.

The Montana Lottery was created by citizen’s referendum in 1986. Since then, it has paid over $774 million in prizes and returned approximately $302 million to the State of Montana and $83 million in retailer commissions.

HELENA – A $1 million Montana Lottery prize will expire unless it is claimed by July 1.

The prize is one of two top prizes from the 2022 Montana Millionaire raffle game. The winning ticket, 033146, was sold in Butte at the Town Pump at 2001 Dewey Blvd.

The other $1 million top prize was claimed the day of the drawing, Dec. 27, by a player from Helena. That ticket was sold in Great Falls at the Town Pump at 401 10th Ave. S.

By law, Lottery prizes must be claimed within 183 days of the drawing. Expired unclaimed prizes are added to the Lottery’s proceeds, which are transferred quarterly to the State of Montana.

In fiscal year 2024, the first $2.25 million of Lottery proceeds will fund the STEM scholarship program, and the balance will go to the General Fund to be dispersed at the Legislature’s discretion.

The Lottery maintains a list of unclaimed prizes on its website: montanalottery.com/en/view/unclaimed-prizes.

The Montana Lottery was created by citizen’s referendum in 1986. Since then, it has paid over $774 million in prizes and returned approximately $302 million to the State of Montana and $83 million in retailer commissions.