BILLINGS – Local convenience stores are preparing for a busy Friday morning as Montana Millionaire tickets go on sale starting at 5:30 a.m

The nationwide lottery has 500,000 tickets up for grabs this year, with $4 million in prizes and thousands of chances to win smaller prizes.

Tickets are expected to sell out quickly. Last year, the 380,000 tickets sold out within about five hours.

One of the $3 million tickets was purchased in Billings Heights at Town and Country Supply on Hilltop Road. Store manager Tammi Pritchett said they are preparing for what is expected to be a busy morning.

“It’s exciting,” Pritchett said Thursday morning. “We have people waiting in line. I open the doors at 5:30 p.m. and people are just excited to buy their winning tickets here.”

Pritchett said it’s usually crowded every year, and now that her store has been lucky, it will probably be even more crowded.

“If it’s between six and seven o’clock, the lines to the back of the store are really busy,” Pritchett said. “We had people come in and say, ‘Hey, we’re coming here this year.'”

Pritchett said she already plans to bring in additional, experienced help to keep clients going.

“We brought a girl from last year who was here and she knows how to play the lottery,” Pritchett said. “So it should be quick and run smoothly.”

Town and Country Supply isn’t the only Billings store that’s gotten lucky. McFiny’s on 17th Street West sold the winning ticket twice.

McFiny’s clerk Tegan Almendinger said they are preparing for the crowds that will arrive as soon as the doors open Friday morning.

“I’m looking forward to the rush because it makes it a little more exciting,” said Almendinger. “We expect a long line and a very fast pace.”

And this year there is a lot to be excited about. In addition to the four $1 million prizes, there is one $250,000 prize, as well as 2,300 $500 prizes and 4,500 $100 prizes.

“I think it’s good for the state of Montana to have something like this so we can have our own lottery,” Pritchett said.

Excitement aside, it’s important that you follow the rules if you want to test your luck. You must be present when your ticket is printed. Last year, several stores ran into trouble because they printed tickets in advance to beat the rush.

The owner of the McFiny’s store said in recent days he has had customers come in wanting to give him cash so they could reserve their tickets. That is not allowed either.

So do your best to be patient as stores prepare for the busiest day of the year.

“My plan is to just work as quickly as possible and still do it accurately,” Almendinger said.