The estimated jackpot for Saturday’s Powerball draw is now $600 million. Originally announced at $475 million this week after no tickets matched all numbers drawn, it was increased to $550 million and again to the current $600 million following strong sales. Tickets are selling in Montana at about 48 tickets per minute.

Saturday’s jackpot is the highest Powerball jackpot ever. It surpassed the previous record of $587.5 million in November 2012. It is one of only nine jackpots to pass the rare $300 million mark.

The jackpot started at $40 million April 3 and increased for 12 draws to where it is now. In that time, Powerball draws in Montana have produced nearly $240,000 in winning tickets.

Two Montana tickets matched four white balls and the Powerball to win $10,000 from Wednesday’s draw.

David Poole of Helena Friday claimed a $10,000 Powerball jackpot prize with a ticket purchased at Town Pump, 2401 N. Montana Ave.; Helena.

David plans to use his Powerball winnings as a nest egg for when he gets out of the Army and also plans to buy more Powerball tickets for the $600 million jackpot drawing on Saturday. Even as he won $10,000, he was thinking of ways he would help others if he happens to match all five numbers and the Powerball on Saturday and bring home the $600 million jackpot prize to Big Sky Country.

The other $10,000 winner from Wednesday was from Belfry and has not yet been claimed.

The estimated jackpot for Saturday’s Powerball draw is now $600 million. Originally announced at $475 million on Monday after no tickets matched all numbers drawn Wednesday, it was increased to %550 million and again to $600 million following strong sales.

Tickets are selling in Montana at about one ticket per second.

Saturday’s jackpot is the highest Powerball jackpot ever. It surpassed the previous record of $587.5 million in November 2012. It is one of only nine jackpots to pass the rare $300 million mark.

The jackpot started at $40 million April 3 and increased for 12 draws to where it is now. In that time, Powerball draws in Montana have produced nearly $240,000 in winning tickets.

Two Montana tickets matched four white balls and the Powerball to win $10,000 from Wednesday’s draw. One ticket was sold in Helena at Town Pump, 2401 N. Montana Ave. The other was sold in Belfry at Belfry Country Store, 216 Broadway Ave.

The estimated jackpot for Saturday’s Powerball draw is now $550 million. Originally announced at $475 million after no tickets matched all numbers drawn Wednesday, it was increased today following strong sales.

Saturday’s jackpot is the second-highest Powerball jackpot to date after the record of $587.5 million in November 2012. It is one of only nine jackpots to pass the rare $300 million mark.

The jackpot started at $40 million April 3 and increased for 12 draws to where it is now. In that time, Powerball draws in Montana have produced nearly $240,000 in winning tickets.

Two Montana tickets matched four white balls and the Powerball to win $10,000 from Wednesday’s draw. One ticket was sold in Helena at Town Pump, 2401 N. Montana Ave. The other was sold in Belfry at Belfry Country Store, 216 Broadway Ave.

The Mega Millions jackpot is also rising, estimated at $190 million for Friday’s draw. Between Powerball and Mega Millions, Montanans have the chance to play for $740 million this weekend, the highest combined jackpot amount to date.

The deadline to buy Mega Millions tickets is 8 p.m. Friday; the deadline to buy Powerball tickets is 8 p.m. Saturday. Tickets may be purchased from any Lottery retailer, of which there are more than 800. Visit www.montanalottery.com to locate a retailer.

The Montana Department of Justice’s Consumer Protection Office has seen an increase in the number of complaints regarding a Lottery scam.

Potential Lottery scam victims are receiving calls telling them that they have won a Mega Millions prize and to send in money to collect the prize and to cover the claim fee. Lottery officials remind Montanans that anytime you are asked to pay a fee to get Lottery winnings, it is a fraudulent practice. Winners are never charged a fee to claim a Lottery prize. In addition, unless you specifically entered a promotional opportunity from the Montana Lottery, you will never be contacted directly to be informed that you have won any Montana Lottery game.

“Phone numbers of potential victims are harvested by spyware and viruses and other tools,” said Attorney General Tim Fox. “Sometimes, scammers get phone numbers through various trade journals, business directories, and anywhere your name appears on the internet, such as in chat rooms. Remember, never provide personal identity information over the phone to a caller you don’t know.”

Montana Lottery Director Angela Wong reminds players, “To have a chance to win the Lottery, you must purchase at ticket.” Tickets can be purchased and checked at Lottery retailers across Montana or at Lottery headquarters located at 2525 North Montana Avenue in Helena. To claim prizes, winners fill out a claim form, which is then verified by Lottery officials.

If you receive a letter, email, or phone call informing you that you have won the Montana Lottery, you are advised to report it to the Montana Department of Justice’s Consumer Protection Office at:

E-Mail: contactocp@mt.gov
Phone Number: 1-800-481-6896 or 406-444-4500
Mail: OCP
PO Box 200151
Helena, MT 59620

The Montana Lottery Tuesday announced Town Pump of Wolf Point is the 2012 Retailer of the Year and recipient of the Robert D. (Bob) Harper II Memorial Outstanding Lottery Retailer Award.

Lottery officials traveled to Wolf Point to surprise the store with the award and celebrate with its employees. Assistant Manager Tammy Traeholt accepted the award, presented by Lottery Director Angela Wong, on behalf of the staff.

The award recognizes outstanding dedication, enthusiasm, commitment, performance and high standards for sales of Lottery products. It was created in memory of Sidney native Bob Harper, an influential sales representative and manager for the Lottery from 1987–1999.

To be eligible for the award, a retailer must be nominated by its Lottery sales rep. Kim Smarsh, sales rep for the region covering Wolf Point, said she nominated Town Pump for its outstanding customer service.

“They make selling and buying Lottery tickets fun in their store,” she said. “They love celebrating winners.”

Previous winners of the Harper award are:
1999 – Friendly’s East, Helena
2000 – Mini Mart #714, Fairview
2001 – Ranch Hand, Eureka
2006 – Schulte’s 38th St. Store, Great Falls
2007 – TJ’s Gas N Convenience, Livingston
2008 – The Short Stop, Miles City
2010 – Van’s Thriftway, Helena
2012 – Town Pump, Wolf Point