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Today’s edition · Tues., Nov. 3

Montana Millionaire is on hold, and Election Day lines may run long

Plus, Billings Central wins the Class A boys soccer title on a goal in the final minute.

The Good Day Billings team1 story13 sources4 min read

LotteryTop story

Montana Millionaire sales are on hold after Sunday's system failure, and a fix is being tested

Sunday's sales fell far short of 2024's sellout

500KTickets available720K
500KTickets sold12,919

Sources: KTVQ, KTVH

If you lined up for on Sunday, here's where it stands. Terminals statewide stopped feeding out tickets shortly after sales opened at 5:30 a.m., and the lottery postponed the game around 11 a.m. Director Bob Brown told MTN the state and its vendor have found a fix. "We do apologize that this went the way it did," he said.

In 2024, all 500,000 tickets sold in under three hours. This year, 12,919 of a record 720,000 sold before sales stopped. A new sales date will come once the problems are fully resolved.

  • Prizes: $100 up to $1 million; tickets cost $20
  • Instant winners Sunday: 991 at $100, 1,019 at $500
  • Purchased tickets and remain valid
  • Drawings were set for Nov. 30 and Dec. 28

The lottery blamed its move to a new central gaming system from . It named three issues, including heavy transaction volume and instant-win prizes awarded more often than intended. A lottery official said Monday the agency is testing the fix. At Billings' High Tide casino, Rachel Dehler said the error showed up right away.

Sunday's sales stalled within 30 minutes and ended in a postponement

  1. Nov. 1Sales were set to begin at 5:30 a.m.; the system soon appeared to fail.
  2. Nov. 1At 5:59 a.m., the lottery first posts on social media about the issues.
  3. Nov. 1At 9:25 a.m., the lottery says sales remain paused, initially without postponing the game.
  4. Nov. 1At 11 a.m., the lottery postpones the game, citing continued technical issues.
  5. Nov. 2Director Bob Brown says the state and Intralot found a fix and are working to test it.

Sources: KPAX News, KTVH, Billings Gazette

Asked

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Asked

Will you try for Montana Millionaire tickets once sales reopen?

Be the first to answer.

News Notes

Election Day

If you're voting today, give yourself extra time, because Yellowstone County election officials are warning of longer lines at polling centers. A statewide envelope printing issue that started Friday has workers handwriting ballot ID information, Election Administrator Dayna Causby said. KTVQ

Soccer

The Billings Central boys won the Class A soccer title Saturday in Billings, beating Whitefish 1-0 on a goal by Cal Weisen in the final minute. It's the Rams' second title in three years. Whitefish had fallen short in the championship each of the past two seasons. MontanaSports.comKECI

1-0Billings Central's win over Whitefish in the Class A final

Cal Weisen scored in the final minute for the Rams.

Source: MontanaSports.com

Crossing guards

At Burlington Elementary, parents and school staff are taking extra steps to get drivers to slow down. Karen Merchant came out of retirement this school year to become a crossing guard there. NonStop Local Billings

Home

Two cute home finds: This elegant, patterned entry rug that’s under $19 and comes in three charming patterns to match your decor, and this double picture frame for $9.99 that’s perfect for displaying family memories on your mantle.*

The Buy

Product find alert: You’ve never used a steamer like this vacuum clothes steamer, which heats up in 30 seconds and offers powerful, even steaming and vacuum suction to remove dust and wrinkles. Use it on clothes like this women’s batwing sweater for a crisp, polished fall look.*

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Apparel

5 women’s sweaters, cardigans, and fall tops under $35

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More worth The Buy

Around Montana

Bison

A Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation checklist environmental assessment says stocking American Prairie's bison on a state section in Eastern Montana, instead of cattle, "will not result in significant environmental impacts." Billings Gazette

Snowmelt

A new Montana State University study found that heatwaves substantially accelerate the melting rate of mountain snowpack. The resulting water doesn't necessarily produce an immediate increase in streamflow. Billings Gazette

Asked

Tap an answer to see how Billings answered.

Asked

How are you getting your vote in today?

Be the first to answer.

Today’s puzzles

A new puzzle in each one every morning, played right here.

All 13 games

Quoted

The truth will set you free. But not until it is finished with you.

— David Foster Wallace

Things to Do

Things to Do

Billings, MT

Tuesday, Nov. 3

See every Billings eventFeature your event

Jobs

Jobs

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Do you know just the role for our readers? Advertise it on our Jobs board.

Around the Block

Around the Block

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Neighbors

So I guess they shut down Montana millionaire ticket sales today because of a technical issue.

“IDK 🤷🏻‍♀️”

— A neighbor, Terry Park

5 likes · 16 comments

View post

The Wrap

Dogs and cats were there, but so were rabbits, a guinea pig and a goat, all dressed up for the 25th annual Pet-O-Ween costume party at Shipton's Big R West. The indoor pet show and costume contest drew familiar faces and new ones, and some adults and employees dressed up too. A goat in costume gets our vote.

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Every source in this edition13 links · 9 outlets
  1. The Weather Channelweather.com
  2. KPAX Newskpax.com
  3. KTVHktvh.com
  4. KTVQktvq.com
  5. KECInbcmontana.com
  6. Billings Gazettebillingsgazette.com
  7. KTVQktvq.com
  8. MontanaSports.commontanasports.com
  9. KECInbcmontana.com
  10. NonStop Local Billingskulr8.com
  11. Billings Gazettebillingsgazette.com
  12. Billings Gazettebillingsgazette.com
  13. Billings events calendargooddaybillings.com

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Good Day Billingsto me · Tues., Nov. 36:00 a.m.

Montana Millionaire is on hold, and Election Day lines may run long

Plus, Billings Central wins the Class A boys soccer title on a goal in the final minute.

The TLDR

  1. Montana Millionaire sales are postponed while a fix is tested
  2. Voting today? Yellowstone County warns of longer lines at polling centers
  3. Billings Central boys beat Whitefish 1-0 for the Class A soccer title
Read this edition

Around Billings

From KTVQ, Montana State News Network and 2 more newsrooms, gathered by TMI, 6AM City’s local news service.

More local news

  1. KTVQ7 hours ago

    Longer lines possible at Montana polls due to statewide ballot printing issue

    Yellowstone County election officials are warning voters to prepare for longer lines at polling centers due to a statewide ballot envelope printing issue that started Friday. Details below:

  2. KTVQ7 hours ago

    Montana Millionaire lottery rollout stalled, but it sparked a surprise boom for bars

    The Montana Millionaire lottery game stalled out in dramatic fashion over the weekend, but local bars still saw a boost. Details below:

  3. KTVQ11 hours ago

    Q2 Billings Area Weather: Consistent weather to welcome in November

    The storm winds down and the winds ease. After some potential morning fog Tuesday, the region settles into a much warmer and drier pattern for the remainder of the week and weekend.

  4. Montana State News Network13 hours ago

    Major Montana Millionaire Update Reveals What's Next

    Montana Millionaire ticket sales remain postponed as the Montana Lottery addresses launch problems, adds instant-win prizes, and answers players' questions.

  5. Billings Gazette13 hours ago

    American Prairie bison vs. the state of Montana: A timeline of the legal jockeying

    American Prairie has been battling Montana in court this year to win approval for bison grazing on state trust lands.

  6. Laurel Outlook13 hours ago

    Election 2026