Russell Wick of Whitefish claimed a $500,000 Scratch top prize while playing “$500,000 Big Money” with a ticket purchased at Town Pump at 2605 Highway 2 E. in Kalispell.
Wick, who is enjoying retirement, scratched off a “5” and, hoping he won more, continued scratching off zeros all the way to a $500,000 win! Russell enjoys playing Scratch games, but occasionally buys Hot Lotto tickets. This is his first big Lottery win.
Russell plans to seek out a financial advisor and do some thinking before he spends his winnings.
“$500,000 Big Money” debuted July 16, 2014 with top prizes up to $500,000.
The Montana Lottery was created by referendum in 1986. Since then, it has paid over $483 million in prizes and returned approximately $217 million to the state of Montana.