State lottery review
Montana Lottery review (2026): anonymity, no online sales and odds
Montana state lottery: 1986 referendum, no online sales, anonymity allowed.
Our verdict
Montana lets winners stay private and Montana Cash has 1 in 5.7 any-prize odds, but there is no online play.
Best for: Montanans who want privacy and good small-prize odds.
- Odds & value 25%6
- Transparency 20%8
- Player protection 20%7
- Ease of play 15%5
- Payouts & claims 10%7
- Reputation 10%7
What we like
- Anonymity allowed
- Montana Cash overall odds 1 in 5.7
- Local helpline
- Funds STEM scholarships
What to watch
- No online or mail sales
- Only six months to claim
At a glance
- Type
- State government agency
- Founded
- 1986
- Available in
- MT
- Mobile app
- —
- Courier apps allowed
- Yes
- Federal withholding
- 24%
- Help line
- 406-444-5825
Score breakdown
Rubric & weights- Odds & value 25% weight6/10
Montana Cash overall odds are 1 in 5.7 and Big Sky Bonus 1 in 7.79, better than typical state games.
- Transparency 20% weight8/10
Publishes odds per game, a legislative presentation with proceeds, and FAQ on claims and anonymity.
- Player protection 20% weight7/10
18+ purchase age and a local helpline 406-444-5825.
- Ease of play 15% weight5/10
No online or mail sales; tickets must be bought in person (couriers list Montana).
- Payouts & claims 10% weight7/10
Winners may stay anonymous, but the claim window is six months (about 180 days).
- Reputation 10% weight7/10
Lottery created by a 1986 referendum with $1.97 billion in sales since inception and no negative findings in the reviewed pages.
Games, prices and published odds
Top prizes and odds
| Game | Match | Prize | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powerball | 5 + Powerball | Grand Prize | 1 in 292,201,338.00 |
| 5 | $1 Million | 1 in 11,688,053.52 | |
| 4 + Powerball | $50,000 | 1 in 913,129.18 | |
| Mega Millions | 5 + Mega Ball | Jackpot (not multiplied) | 1 in 290,472,336 |
| 5 | $2,000,000 to $10,000,000 (2X to 10X multiplier) | 1 in 12,629,232 | |
| 4 + Mega Ball | $20,000 to $100,000 (2X to 10X multiplier) | 1 in 893,761 | |
| Millionaire for Life | 5 + Life Ball | $1,000,000 Per Year for Life ($18 Million Cash Option) | 1 in 22,910,580.00 |
| 5 | $100,000 Per Year for Life ($2.2 Million Cash Option) | 1 in 5,727,645.00 | |
| 4 + Life Ball | $7,500 | 1 in 86,455.02 | |
| Lotto America | 5 + Star Ball | Grand Prize | 1 in 25,989,600.00 |
| 5 | $20,000 | 1 in 2,887,733.33 | |
| 4 + Star Ball | $1,000 | 1 in 110,594.04 | |
| Montana Cash | 5/5 + Max Cash | Jackpot + Max Cash | 1 in 610,880 |
| 5/5 | Jackpot | 1 in 610,880 | |
| 4/5 | $200 | 1 in 3,054 | |
| Big Sky Bonus | 4/4 | Jackpot | 1 in 31,465 |
| 3/4 | $20 | 1 in 291 | |
| 2/4 | $2 | 1 in 15 |
Top three prize tiers as printed on the operator's prize chart.
Odds are the operator's published figures per single play. Prize amounts are before tax.
Who it’s for
The Montana Lottery suits adults aged 18 or older who want to keep a win private and who like good small-prize odds. It is a poor fit for anyone who wants to buy online or by mail, because the lottery has neither, and for players who want a long claim window, since prizes expire after six months.
How it works
The lottery was created by a 1986 referendum that passed with 69% in favour. It reports sales of $1.97 billion since inception.
Montana’s national games are priced differently from most states. Powerball costs $3 because Power Play is included, or $4 with Double Play, and draws at 8:59 pm Mountain on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. Mega Millions costs $5. State games include Montana Cash, Big Sky Bonus, Lotto America and Millionaire for Life.
Odds and value
Montana publishes complete odds for its own games. Montana Cash costs $1, with an optional $1 Max Cash, and draws on Wednesday and Saturday. Its jackpot starts at $40,000, with jackpot odds of 1 in 610,880 and any-prize odds of 1 in 5.7. Big Sky Bonus costs $2, draws daily and has jackpot odds of 1 in 31,465 with any prize at 1 in 7.79.
The national games match every state. Powerball’s jackpot is 1 in 292,201,338 and Mega Millions’ is 1 in 290,472,336. The $3 Powerball price includes Power Play, so the minimum spend is higher than the $2 base play elsewhere. See our methodology.
Trust and regulation
We found no regulatory actions against the lottery on the pages we checked. The helpline is 406-444-5825.
Proceeds go to the General Fund and, since 2015, to STEM scholarships. We did not find an annual amount, so we do not give one.
Claiming prizes and taxes
Prizes must be claimed within six months, which is roughly the same as the 180 days in Colorado or Virginia and half the one-year windows in Pennsylvania and New York.
Withholding is 24% federal plus 5.9% Montana on prizes over $5,000.
On privacy, anonymity is allowed: the winner’s name is kept private unless the winner gives permission. That is the opposite of Louisiana, where prize records are public. See the Montana state page.
Playing online
The lottery has no online or mail sales. Courier apps are a separate matter: Jackpocket lists Montana on its iOS and web service. Using one means paying a fee for a ticket the lottery itself will not sell online.
Be cautious with any other site that offers Montana tickets. Powerball’s FAQ warns that lotteries may refuse to pay on tickets bought from any site other than their own.
Our take
Montana is a privacy-first lottery with strong small-prize odds and no online option. Those facts will suit some players and rule out others. The six-month claim window and the extra dollar on Powerball are the costs. If you win, sign the ticket, keep it safe and calendar the deadline. See our guides.
Frequently asked questions
Can I stay anonymous if I win in Montana?
Yes. The winner’s name is private unless you give permission.
Does Montana sell lottery tickets online?
No. There are no online or mail sales.
How long do I have to claim?
Six months.
How much tax is withheld?
24% federal plus 5.9% Montana on prizes over $5,000.
What are the odds on Montana Cash?
1 in 610,880 for the jackpot and 1 in 5.7 for any prize.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Montana Lottery legit?
- Montana Lottery is operated by Montana Lottery. The Montana Lottery was created by a 1986 referendum (69% in favour); it has had sales of $1.97 billion since inception. We rate it 6.7/10 (Good) on odds, transparency, player protection, ease of play, payouts and reputation, verified November 2, 2026.
- How much does Montana Lottery cost?
- From $1 to $5.
- What are the odds of winning at Montana Lottery?
- Powerball: top prize listed on the official page at 1 in 292,201,338; any prize 1 in 24.87. These are the operator's published figures per single play.
- How old do you have to be to play Montana Lottery?
- The minimum age is 18.
- How long do you have to claim a Montana Lottery prize?
- 180 days. Prizes must be claimed within six months. Withholding 24% federal plus 5.9% Montana over $5,000.
- What are the downsides of Montana Lottery?
- No online or mail sales. Only six months to claim.
Sources
Facts last verified November 2, 2026
Every figure on this page comes from one of the documents below. If a source has changed since our check, tell us.
- Montana Lottery: FAQs · accessed November 2, 2026
- Montana Lottery: Montana Cash · accessed November 2, 2026
- Montana Lottery: Big Sky Bonus · accessed November 2, 2026
- Montana Legislature: Lottery presentation, 10 March 2026 · accessed November 2, 2026
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