It’s hard to believe that our annual Minnesota Millionaire Raffle has been around since 2006. Since then, it’s been one of our most popular games and has quickly become an annual tradition for many Minnesotans. What makes the game so special? Raffle includes a limited number of tickets, guaranteed winners including two $1 million top prizes, and the fact that the raffle is only played in Minnesota.
In celebration of our 19th annual Raffle game that went on sale October 22, we rounded up 19 stories from our players that prove it really does live up to the hype:
“I've been playing Raffle since it first came out and have never won anything. Last year my strategy was to buy tickets in different towns because my small town never seems to win. While picking up a prescription for my boyfriend on January 2, 2024, I decided to scan my tickets and to my surprise I had two Raffle winners — a $50 and $100,000! Come to find out the $100,000 winning ticket was from my town.” Angela, Isanti
“We won $10,000 from the Raffle back in 2016. We had just gotten married and had a baby. Great way to start our new year! My husband had a business trip in California so our daughter (who was eight months at the time) and I tagged along. We extended the trip after his business portion to do all the touristy things. We checked out Hollywood, beaches, drove through Malibu, drove down Rodeo Drive. Thanks to the Raffle we really went all out! And yes, we did adult things too like paying bills!” Brooke, Victoria
“I have been buying Raffle tickets since it started. The January 1, 2024 Raffle was the first time that I purchased a winning ticket. Actually, two winning tickets! I gifted one Raffle ticket to each family member at Christmas. This year my grandson won $50 and my nephew won $100. Thank you, Minnesota Lottery, for making their holidays special!” Connie, Vermillion
“Since the Raffle started my husband and I purchase four tickets. We keep one for ourselves and each of our kids get a ticket. Up until this year we have never won, but it was fun to dream. This year my husband and I won $100!! We are thrilled and will be spending on grandkids of course.” Cheri, Ramsey
“My husband and I play every year for our chance to be a millionaire! We bought five tickets this year and won 100 bucks back! I will take that as a win. I’MN.” Christina, New Hope
“I’ve enjoyed playing the lottery since the first “Match Three” scratch off tickets. I’ve also been playing the Raffle since it started. On January 2, 2024 I went online to enter my ticket number and was elated to find out I won $100. The kicker was that I had also won $50 on a scratch ticket that someone had bought me for a stocking stuffer gift for Christmas.” Jeffrey, Oakdale
“Our group of 14 bought one ticket a day for 14 consecutive days in 14 different cities. That strategy didn’t work well as we won zero. We will be trying again next year though!” Jim, Savage
“Our whole family buys Raffle tickets every year! It’s a tradition! Maybe some year one of us will win! It definitely gives us something to talk about!” Lisa, Blaine
“I have been buying them since it started! My favorite part is imagining what I would do if I won! Haven’t won yet but can keep dreaming!” Kassie, Bloomington
“I was a $25,000 winner on New Year’s Day 2008! I randomly bought one ticket on Halloween in 2007 not even knowing what the Raffle was! We also purchased a ticket for each of our kids for their Christmas stockings. On January 1 my husband checked the numbers. I honestly did not believe him, but MY ticket was a winner. My parents had passed away the year before and the last 3 digits of my ticket were 7-2-4… my dad’s birthday. Thanks for the win, dad!” Kathy, Richfield
“I bought a Raffle ticket for me and a friend this past year and they won $50! I was so excited for them.” Kelly, Rogers
“Every year I look forward to these going on sale. On the day of the drawing, my husband and I grab our tickets and check our numbers and dream about what we would do first if we won the million!” Kimberly, Eagan
“I won $25,000 on the Raffle a couple years ago. This year $200! Wish it was twice a year instead of once.” Melissa, Montrose
“Second time winner…whoop, whoop! $100 bucks a couple of years ago and this time 50 bucks and that’s not deer! I’MN. Next year will be the big one!” Michelle, Detroit Lakes
“My husband and I have been playing the Minnesota Raffle since it started, and we love to fantasize what we'd do if we won the big prize. We hadn't won anything until this year but hurray — we finally won! It wasn't the big prize we'd dreamed of, but we were still thrilled with $50!” - Michelle, Ogilvie
“I bought a Holiday $1,000 scratch game on New Year’s Eve on my way to Duluth for a party. We stopped in McGregor and bought four more of the scratch games. We scratched on our way and won $500. So excited. The next morning (New Year’s Day), my friend and I got on the computer to see if we won anything on the Raffle. I won $500 and I split with my friend. What a wonderful way to end 2023 and start 2024.” Raya, Brainerd
“I give out tickets for Christmas and my dad had his hanging on the fridge. Checked it for a big win and won $100!” Stacey, Sandstone
“We play the Raffle every year without any luck, so when I checked our tickets on January 1, I couldn't believe it! We won $25,000! I immediately sent pictures of everything to my husband. We couldn't be more excited and look forward to playing again next year. Thank you, Minnesota Lottery!” Tammy, Tower
“Since the Raffle always starts on my birthday, I typically get some as gifts and of course, I always buy some for myself. I have been playing every year since it started with no luck. However, this year I won $100! I took my kiddos out for dinner to celebrate!” Stacy, Albany
Do you have a lottery story to share with us? Enter our monthly free Share Your Lottery Story contest and you could win a lottery T-shirt and $25 in scratch tickets.