Yes, Outsiders Can Claim Montana Lottery Winnings

Whenever the Mega Millions jackpot balloons like it has recently, people all over scramble to grab their tickets with the hopes of becoming an instant millionaire. It's even sweeter if you win in the state you were born and raised in around friends and family, right?

Did You Know ANYONE Can Win The Mega Millions Jackpot?

That's right - anyone. Many people are under the impression that if you win the Mega Millions in Montana from a ticket you bought in Montana, that you can only claim the prize if you're a Montana resident.

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It sounds reasonable and like it would make sense... but not so fast.

As it turns out, people who don't live in Montana can buy their Mega Millions ticket in Montana and still qualify to claim the prize. According to the site for the Mega Millions:

You can play Mega Millions in 45 states plus the District of Columbia and the U. S. Virgin Islands; a total of 47 jurisdictions.

And get this - if you're visiting Montana from outside of the country and decide to play the Mega Millions, you can still win.

Outsiders Can Win The Mega Millions In Montana With One Catch

While Mega Millions tickets aren't able to be sold outside of the United States, visitors can still take home the huge prize according to the site for the Mega Millions:

Visitors to the United States are always welcome to purchase tickets for our game from an American lottery retailer while they are visiting this country. You do not need to be a resident or citizen to win.

That sounds like good news for vacationing millionaire hopefuls, but there's still one major catch according to lottery officials:

Because Mega Millions® is sold by individual lotteries, any winning tickets must be redeemed in the state or jurisdiction in which they were purchased. Lotteries typically have a claim-by-mail option for most prize levels; you can find details on their websites.

To be fair, if you win the Mega Millions, you'll likely jump any hurdles in your way to claim your prize even if that means making another trip back to claim your money.