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Montana Millionaire tickets are once again selling at record pace

Posted at 2:03 PM, Nov 17, 2020
and last updated 2020-11-18 15:27:27-05

Montana Millionaire is once again setting a record pace of ticket sales, averaging around 6,000 tickets sold each day.

“They are selling really fast,” said Montana Lottery communications manager Jennifer McKee. “Sales for Montana Millionaire have been more and more brisk every single year… I think some of it is the excitement that Montanans feel for the game, people know this game now. If you don’t get a ticket before they’re gone, you won’t get one and be in it to win it.”

Touted by Montana Lottery as the best chance to win $1 million, only 180,000 tickets are sold. Last year, all 180,000 tickets were sold out by December 2, 2019, five days earlier than in 2018.

Unlike a lottery game, Montana Millionaire is a raffle meaning all of the prize money will be paid out. McKee believes that’s one of the reasons it's so popular. “When we do our drawing at the end of December we have four $10,000 prizes, three $100,000 prizes, one $250,000 prize and $1 million prize and someone is going to win them,” said McKee.

As of Tuesday, November 17, more than 100,000 had already been sold. At this pace the majority of tickets will be sold before the first early bird drawing on November 27, if not all of the tickets.

Tickets go on sale every year on November 1. Last year the Montana Lottery added 30,000 tickets to the pool to increase the number of prizes available. The first early bird drawing for $25,000 will be held November 27, and a second early bird drawing for $15,000 will be held December 11.

The Montana Lottery has yet to set an official date for the grand prize drawing, but it is usually held sometime between December 25 and January 1.

Last year's big winner was Casey Petero of Columbia Falls; click here for details. Here is a list of the big winners each year:

  • 2019: Casey Petero, Columbia Falls
  • 2018: Richard Mai, Billings
  • 2017: Amy Lambert, Butte
  • 2016: Daniel Thompson, Great Falls
  • 2015: Jack Barisich, Winnett
  • 2014: Jeffrey Fallang, East Helena
  • 2013: Russell Miller, Columbia Falls
  • 2012: Sam Polesky, Laurel
  • 2011: Vern & Mara Wallace, Billings
  • 2010: William Morse, Billings
  • 2009: Dana Delguerra, Great Falls
  • 2008: Mike & Carole McGivern, Butte
  • 2007: Gary & BJ Klipstein, Billings

More information about the game can be found on the Montana Lottery website.