Luck is “Made in Montana”. At least that’s what the Montana Lottery website says. The Montana Lottery was established in 1986 after being created by a citizen’s referendum. Over $1 billion in prize money has been paid out and a whole lot of money has gone to benefit the state. Nearly $400 million has been raised for state programs and initiatives since the first ticket was sold in 1987.
The Montana Lottery has assisted with infrastructure, education, and small businesses. Montana also runs sports betting through the MT Lottery via Sports Bet Montana. With instant-win games, draw games, and even raffles, winners are crowned across the state each and every day.
Players must be 18 or older to play the Montana Lottery, including Sports Bet Montana.
Montana does not sell lottery tickets online, however the state has licensed third-party seller Jackpocket, so they do offer online purchases of tickets.
Montana Lottery Games
The Montana Lottery is part of four multi-state lotto drawings – Powerball, Mega Millions, Lotto America, and Lucky For Life. There are also two state-specific draw games to go along with Instant Win Fast Play Games and scratch-offs.
There is also a Montana Millionaire raffle annually with tickets sold to win all or nothing. In 2024, Montana even had a scratch-off ticket with the chance to win a Chevy Silverado, which feels very on-brand for the state.
Montana Lottery Draw Games
Powerball
Montana is part of the multi-state draw for Powerball on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 8:59 p.m. MT. Ticket sales are cut off at 8 p.m. MT. Powerball is sold in 45 states, plus Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Montana became part of the game in 1989 when it was named something else. Powerball became the name in 1992.
Each play costs $3, as numbers from 1 to 69 and then a Powerball from 1 to 26 are selected. The extra dollar is because Montana automatically includes the Power Play option, which serves as a multiplier for non-Jackpot prizes. The Jackpot starts at $20 million and grows from there.
Double Play is available for another $1 per play and gives players a second chance to win with a separate drawing following the Jackpot drawing.
Mega Millions
Montana joined Mega Millions in 2010. Each play costs $2 and drawings are held on Tuesday and Friday at 9 p.m. MT. Ticket sales are cut off an hour before the draw.
Numbers are drawn from 1 to 70 with a Mega Ball from 1 to 25. Matching them all wins the Jackpot, which starts at $20 million and grows if a winner is not selected. The Megaplier option is a $1 add-on for players who wish to use it. It is not required like the Power Play feature for Powerball.
Lotto America
Lotto America is $1 per play and is drawn on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 8:59 p.m. MT. This is another multi-state lotto drawing and was the original name of Powerball.
For an additional $1 per play, players can take a shot at the All Star Bonus to multiply a non-Jackpot prize. The Jackpot starts at $2 million and grows each time a draw goes by without a winner.
For Lotto America, numbers from 1 to 52 are drawn, plus an All Star Ball from 1 to 10.
The states that participate in Lotto America are Delaware, Iowa, Idaho, Kansas, Maine, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, and West Virginia.
Lucky For Life
Montana is also part of the Lucky For Life drawing, which is a daily draw that features a $1,000 a day grand prize. The draw for this game is at 8:35 p.m. MT and ticket sales are cut off 65 minutes before the draw.
With this game, numbers from 1 to 48 plus a Lucky Ball from 1 to 18 are drawn. Matching all six pays the grand prize, but matching the five regular numbers is worth $25,000 per year. Each play costs $2 and there are no bonuses or add-ons.
The states that participate in Lucky For Life are Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont and Wyoming.
Montana Cash with Max Cash
Double the Jackpot. Double the Amazing. That’s the motto for Montana Cash with Max Cash, a state-specific lotto draw game with a progressive Jackpot. Drawings are held every Wednesday and Saturday at 8 p.m. MT and ticket sales end one minute before the drawing.
The Jackpot starts at $40,000 and grows from there. Each play costs $1 and another dollar adds the Max Cash feature, which is a crack at another progressive Jackpot.
In this game, five numbers are drawn from 1 to 45. Matching all of them is the way to win the Jackpot and also the second Jackpot if Max Cash has been added.
Big Sky Bonus Progressive
Big Sky Bonus is the Montana Lottery’s daily draw game. The drawing is held at 7:30 p.m. MT and ticket sales cut off two minutes before the drawing. Each play costs $2.
The game features four numbers from 1 to 31 and then a Bonus Number from 1 to 16. Matching all four numbers wins the Jackpot. Matching the Bonus Ball is worth another $10 added on to any prize from the first four numbers.
Montana Treasure Play Instant-Win Games
Montana offers Treasure Play in the taverns and casinos across the state. These are games that range from $1 to $20 and some of them are games with progressive Jackpots. They are instant-win games, so matching your numbers to the winning numbers is all it takes and there are set prize amounts based on how many numbers match up.
There are also alternate games with printed slot machines, poker hands, or dice that you can match up to see if you have won a prize.
Montana Lottery Scratch-Offs
Cash prizes range from $1 to $1,000,000 with Montana Lottery scratchers. Tickets are sold at $1, $2, $3, $5, $10, $20, and $30 denominations. The chances of winning are printed on each ticket and are visible on the MT Lottery website. You can also find them in the app.
Seasonal games are very popular sellers, including tickets celebrating the start of winter and the holidays. In 2024, the Montana Lottery offered a lottery ticket with a Chevy Silverado as a prize.
Montana Millionaire Raffle
The Montana Lottery Millionaire Raffle is an annual drawing offering a grand prize of $1,000,000. It is done once per year and when tickets sell out, they are no longer available. The drawing is around the Christmas holiday each year.
Sports Bet Montana
Sports Bet Montana launched in 2020 and offers wagering on college and pro sports at specially licensed retailers. It can also be played online through the Sports Bet Montana website. Documents need to be uploaded to verify the player’s identity and then accounts can be funded via debit card, bank transfer/e-check, or Play+.
The Montana Lottery uses their own odds for sports wagering.
Montana Lottery App
The Montana Lottery does have an app available through the Apple Store and the Google Play Store. Tickets cannot be purchased on the app, however players can put together an ePlayslip to save time when they get to one of the state’s approved lottery retailers.
The app also has the Montana Player’s Club, allowing players to play additional games, qualify for second-chance promotions, and more.
The Montana Lottery does not sell tickets online, but Jackpocket has an approved retailer license in the state, so tickets can be purchased online through them.
The Montana Lottery App cannot be used for Sports Bet Montana. That is on the website only.
How To Claim Montana Lottery Prizes
Prizes up to $599 can be claimed at any approved Montana Lottery retailer.
Prizes over $600 can only be claimed at the Montana Lottery headquarters in Helena or by mail.
Prizes of $5,000 or more for U.S. residents that can produce a social security number or tax identification number are subject to a 6.9% state tax withholding.
Montana Lottery Frequently Asked Questions
Can Montana Lottery Tickets Be Purchased Online?
Not directly through the Montana Lottery, but through third-party seller Jackpocket. Sports Bet Montana wagers can be placed on the website, SportsBetMontana.com.
How Many Montana Lottery Retailers Are There?
There are more than 1,000 approved lottery retailers in the state of Montana.
How Old Do I Have To Be To Play The Montana Lottery?
Players must be 18 years of age or older.