Montana Millionaire Raffle Winners Announced
The Montana Lottery recently announced the grand-prize winners of its annual Montana Millionaire raffle. On Tuesday, December 26, 2023, three lucky ticket holders each won $1 million. This year, the lottery drew from a pool of 380,000 eligible tickets, which were sold at $20 each starting November 1st. The event saw an increase in both the number of tickets and the number of grand prizes compared to the previous year.
Winning Tickets and Initial Confusion
Each of the three winning tickets is worth $1 million. Initially, there was some confusion regarding one of the winning tickets. Ticket number 346589 was first reported to have been sold in Stanford. However, it was later confirmed that the ticket was actually sold in Great Falls. Lottery officials apologized for the human error in misidentifying the ticket’s sale location.
Additional Prizes and Early Bird Drawings
Besides the grand prizes, the Montana Millionaire raffle also awarded several smaller prizes. A total of 4,100 “instant win” tickets were distributed, each worth either $100 or $500. Additionally, there were two “early bird” drawings. The first early bird drawing, worth $25,000, was announced on November 24. The winning ticket, number 172886, was sold at an Albertsons store on Grand Avenue in Billings. The second early bird drawing, worth $100,000, was announced on December 15. The winning ticket, number 274028, was sold at an Albertsons store on Third Street NW in Great Falls.
Historical Winners and Lottery Popularity
Over the years, the Montana Millionaire raffle has produced several million-dollar winners. Previous winners include individuals from Butte, Great Falls, Billings, Columbia Falls, Winnett, East Helena, and Laurel. The raffle game is notably popular in Montana, unlike in many other states where raffle games struggle to sell out. According to Dan Iverson, Montana Lottery content manager, each of the state’s raffles has varied in terms of ticket numbers and prizes over its history.
Revenue Usage and State Support
Revenue generated from the lottery supports various state needs. Most of the sales revenue goes towards paying prizes and operational costs. The remaining funds go back to the state as determined by legislative action. Currently, the first $2.25 million goes to the Montana STEM/Healthcare Scholarship Program, operated by the Office Of The Commissioner Of Higher Education and the Montana University System. Any remaining funds are directed to the state’s general fund.
Unclaimed Prizes and Verification Process
Last year, one of the two Montana Millionaire prizes went unclaimed and reverted to the State General Fund. The lottery has a verification process that can confirm transactions based on where and when they occurred and what numbers were printed on a ticket. This ensures that all winners are accurately identified and awarded their prizes.
Claiming Prizes and Legislative Changes
Winners have six months to claim their prize either in person or via mail. Due to a change in legislation, the Montana Lottery can no longer release the names of Montana Millionaire winners unless they have given consent. This change aims to protect the privacy of the winners while still maintaining transparency in the lottery process.
Public Feedback and Adjustments
The Montana Lottery has made several adjustments based on public feedback. This year, they increased the number of tickets and added another $1 million grand prize due to high demand from Montanans who love playing Montana Millionaire. According to Scott Sales, Montana Lottery Director, these changes were well-received by the public and contributed to the raffle’s success.
Conclusion
The recent announcement of the Montana Millionaire raffle winners has brought joy and excitement to the state. With three new millionaires and several other prize winners, the lottery continues to be a popular and successful event in Montana. The revenue generated supports important state programs, and the adjustments made based on public feedback ensure that the raffle remains a beloved tradition for years to come.
