Administrative Rules of Montana
Department 2 - ADMINISTRATION
Chapter 2.63 - MONTANA STATE LOTTERY COMMISSION
Subchapter 2.63.12 - Prizes
Rule 2.63.1201 - PRIZES

(1) Winning lottery and sports wager tickets will be redeemed:

(2) In lieu of the methods described in (1), a winning sports wager ticket may be redeemed to the player's account when the sports wager is managed through the player's account.

(3) A winning lottery or sports wager ticket may be redeemed only by an organization with a federal employer's identification number or by an individual.

(4) The claimant's city of residence and amount of prize is public information. The lottery may use a claimant's name and photograph for publicity and advertising purposes only upon written authorization by the claimant.

(5) Unless otherwise provided in the parameters for a specific game, a claimant shall sign the back of a winning lottery or sports wager ticket.

(6) The lottery may deny a claim for a winning lottery or sports wager ticket if the ticket:

(7) By submitting the claim, the claimant discharges the lottery of all further liability upon payment of the prize claimed.

(8) A lottery or sports wager ticket is a bearer instrument until signed. The person who signs the lottery or sports wager ticket is the bearer of the ticket. Payment of any prize may be made to the bearer, and all liability of the lottery terminates upon such payment.

(9) Upon validation of a winning claim, a check, electronic transfer, or warrant for the amount of the prize shall be issued to the claimant, less any applicable state or federal income tax withholding.

(10) A lottery or sports wager ticket not passing all validation checks is invalid and no prize may be paid on such ticket.

(11) The director's decision concerning validation and payment of any prize is final and binding.

(12) Prizes over $100,000 may be paid in equal yearly installments without interest over a period of not more than 20 years, as determined by the director. No installment may be less than $20,000.

(13) If the commission enters into an agreement to participate in a game for prizes over $100,000 that requires payment periods of more than 20 years or yearly installment payments of less than $20,000 as a condition of participation, the commission may adopt the installment payment amounts and time periods necessary to comply with the conditions of the game.

(14) All prizes payable at the death of a winner shall be paid to a designated beneficiary, the estate of the deceased, or to a person designated by judicial order.

(15) An owner or employee of a licensed lottery sales agent shall identify themselves as such to lottery officials when claiming a prize at the lottery office or through the claim mail process. This information must be recorded on the claim form maintained by the lottery as part of the prize file.