GREAT FALLS — New Year's celebrations just got brighter for several lucky players as the Montana Millionaire Lottery announced its 2024 winners of four grand prizes worth $1 million each. This year's lottery was particularly exciting, as it not only increased the number of tickets available to 500,000 but also added a fourth $1 million prize, leading to unprecedented enthusiasm among participants.
Beginning on November 1, 2024, tickets went on sale for just $20. Within just three thrilling hours, they were sold out, marking a new record for the event. The previous record for ticket sales lasted around five hours, showing just how popular the Montana Millionaire has become.
The winning ticket numbers drawn on December 26, 2024, are as follows:
- # 021333
- # 416013
- # 143115
- # 077800
Montana Lottery officials are currently working to verify the locations where these winning tickets were sold. Announcement of this information is expected later today, and players across the state are anxiously awaiting news on whether they are among the fortunate winners.
The Montana Millionaire lottery works somewhat like a raffle, with prize winners guaranteed because they are drawn from tickets sold. Along with the grand prizes, this year's lottery also included 2,300 $500 instant win prizes and 4,500 $100 instant win prizes distributed among ticket holders, adding to the excitement of the event.
Interestingly, the Montana Lottery also featured a “Quarter Million Monday” drawing on December 2, 2024, which offered a secondary prize of $250,000. This winning ticket was sold at the Office Bar & Motel located just northwest of Great Falls, though the winner has yet to claim their prize. They have six months from the drawing date to collect it, and if the prize remains unclaimed, the funds will go back to the state’s general fund.
The Montana Lottery has addressed several frequently asked questions throughout the event. One notable inquiry concerned why there are no restrictions limiting ticket sales to Montana residents. The Montana Lottery maintains its inclusivity by allowing everyone of legal age, whether residents or visitors, to participate. This approach, they argue, helps maximize revenue for the state. Similarly, they do not impose limits on the number of tickets one person can buy for the same reason — to optimize returns for state-funded programs.
According to Dan Iverson, the Montana Lottery content manager, "The lottery exists to generate revenue for the State of Montana. Most sales go toward paying prizes, operations, and whatever is left at the end goes back to the state." Currently, the first $2.25 million generated from the lottery goes toward the Montana STEM/Healthcare Scholarship Program, which is operated by the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education and the Montana University System. Any remaining funds contribute to the state's general fund, which is determined by legislative action.
While this year showcases the thrill of new winners, past years have also seen significant winners from across the state. Last year, three other tickets each worth $1 million were sold at various locations, including Kalispell and Billings. It's always exciting to see where previous winners are from — the rich history of winning locations ranges from Butte to Great Falls and beyond.
Although no one claimed one of the two Montana Millionaire prizes last year, leading to its funds being added back to the state general fund, the lottery remains undeterred. With each passing year, the anticipation builds for the next draw, bringing hope to many Montanans and tourists alike who dream of hitting it big.
With all the exciting developments surrounding the Montana Millionaire lottery this year, it's clear it continues to remain one of the state’s beloved traditions. The thrilling potential of life-changing money awaits as the draws bring dreams to reality for several winners.
