Kalispell woman wins lottery 2 times in 1 day

HELENA – Winning the lottery once was exciting for Cheyenne Long, but winning it twice in one day was unbelievable.

Long, of Kalispell, won a total of $77,000 playing Power Play Gold Crossword, a Montana Lottery Scratch ticket. She bought another ticket the same day, and won again.

“It was a super genuine and blissful moment,” said Long.

Long purchased her first ticket on the morning of July 1, exactly one month before her birthday. After she won $2,000, she had a gut feeling to buy more of that ticket. When she was in Havre later that day, she decided to pick up three more Power Play Gold Crossword tickets. She won the top prize of $75,000 on her second batch of tickets.

Long bought her first ticket at Michael’s East on U.S. 2 in Evergreen. She bought her second ticket at the Holiday station on West First Street in Havre.

Long wants to pay off her bills with her lottery winnings. She said she was in shock both times she won, repeatedly asking if it was real. She had to recount and look over her ticket to make sure that she didn’t accidentally scratch a letter she did not have.

Currently, Long is studying to receive her personal training certificate and wants to work her to way to become a pilot. She would love to be able to travel and do personal training in the side.

The Montana Lottery was created by referendum in 1986. Since then, it has paid over $590 million in prizes and returned approximately $259 million to the State of Montana.