My Lottery Dream Home, hosted by David Bromstad, has been a fan favorite on HGTV since 2015. The show follows lottery winners as they search for their dream homes. But how real is the show? Here’s a look at the casting challenges, host secrets, and common myths about the series.
The Struggle to Find Lottery Winners
Finding lottery winners willing to appear on TV wasn’t easy at first. Many winners fear scams or greedy relatives after hitting the jackpot.
“We reached out to close to 1,000 lottery winners and we got 10 to appear on our first season,” said producer Mike Krupat in a 2017 interview.
After the first season, more winners joined once they saw how the show celebrated their stories. The team focuses on positive, uplifting tales to attract participants.
David Bromstad Doesn’t Play the Lottery
Despite working with lucky winners, Bromstad doesn’t buy lottery tickets. He believes he already won his own “lottery” by winning HGTV’s Design Star in 2006.
“You’d think I would, especially rubbing elbows with all these really rich, really lucky people. No, I do not play the lottery because I’ve already won the lottery. I won ‘Design Star’ and that was my lottery,” he told The Wrap.
He joked that he’d rather spend money on canoes than scratchers.
Not All Winners Want Lavish Mansions
Many assume lottery winners immediately buy huge houses. But the show reveals most winners are careful with their money.
“Some people are living paycheck to paycheck and they’re pretty smart, like, ‘Wow, I’m 35 and I’ve just won a million dollars—it’s going to change my life, but I’ve got to be smart about it,’” Bromstad told the New York Post.
Some winners prioritize being near family over luxury. A couple who won $180 million in Season 1 spent only $5.5 million on their home.
The Show Isn’t Just for Lottery Winners
The series now includes people who got money from inheritances or other windfalls. In Season 17, a widow used her late husband’s savings to buy a lakeside home.
Bromstad Isn’t a Licensed Real Estate Agent
Though he helps buyers, Bromstad isn’t a realtor. His background is in design, not real estate. A local agent joins each episode to handle the legal details.
Reactions Aren’t Always Spontaneous
Like most reality TV, some scenes are reshot for better lighting or sound. But the winners’ stories and home purchases are real.
“We really were just trying to get Coupeville on the map,” said former contestant Brian Kutz about redoing some scenes.
How to Get on the Show
Winners can apply by emailing mylotterydreamhome@beyondusa.com or calling (424) 345-4132. Some fans, like Brian and Tuk Kutz, reached out right after winning.
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The show’s 18th season premiered on July 18, 2025, with new episodes airing Fridays on HGTV.
