From Citizen Referendum to First Ticket
Montana voters approved the state lottery in 1986 through a citizen-initiated referendum, and the Montana Lottery began operations in June 1987. Montana was among the first Rocky Mountain states to establish a lottery, launching with instant scratch-off games before introducing draw games. The lottery operates under the Montana Department of Administration.
Revenue and Mission
Montana Lottery revenue supports the state General Fund and designated STEM scholarship programs. Since its inception, the Montana Lottery has contributed hundreds of millions of dollars to state programs. Montana levies a 5.9% state tax on lottery winnings. The lottery is operated by Intralot, an international gaming technology provider that manages the state's draw game infrastructure and retail network.
Key Milestones
- 1986: Voters approve citizen-initiated referendum authorizing the Montana Lottery
- 1987: Montana Lottery begins operations; first scratch-off tickets sold in June
- 1990: Montana Cash launches as the state's signature draw game
- 2002: Montana joins Powerball
- 2010: Mega Millions becomes available through cross-selling agreement
- 2017: Lotto America relaunches with Montana participation
- 2020: Big Sky Bonus launches as Montana's unique daily draw game
- 2026: Millionaire For Life replaces Lucky for Life
Montana Cash: The State's Flagship Game
Montana Cash (5/45) has been the Montana Lottery's flagship in-state game since its launch. With jackpot odds of roughly 1 in 1,221,759 — far more favorable than multi-state games — Montana Cash produces regular winners across Big Sky Country. The rolling jackpot starts at $40,000 and has delivered numerous five- and six-figure prizes to Montana players over three decades.
No Digit Games
Unlike most US lotteries, Montana does not offer traditional digit games such as Pick 3 or Pick 4. Instead, the daily game slot is filled by Big Sky Bonus, a unique 4/31 + bonus 1/16 format that provides daily draw action with lotto-style gameplay. This makes Montana's game portfolio distinctive among US state lotteries.
Impact and Legacy
The Montana Lottery has grown from simple scratch-off offerings to a portfolio of six draw games plus instant-win products. Its contributions to the General Fund and STEM scholarships have made it a meaningful revenue source for Big Sky Country. For a full breakdown of every current game, see our MT Lottery Games Guide, or visit the Montana lottery dashboard for live results and analysis.