C-Falls woman claims $9,000 Hot Lotto prize

Debra McLouth of Columbia Falls recently claimed a $9,000 Hot Lotto prize from the April 26 drawing

This was McLouth’s first big lotto win. She purchased her winning ticket at the Night Owl restaurant in Columbia Falls and said she’s won several smaller prizes, including a $200 Montana Cash win in April.

McLouth is currently developing her land and said the money will help with putting in a well and a road.

Her advice to other players: “It can happen to anybody. It just takes one ticket.”

The Montana Lottery was created by referendum in 1986. Since then, it has paid more than $459 million in prizes and returned more than $210 million to the State of Montana.