Online Gambling in Montana

Montana’s online gambling laws

Montana is very strict when it comes to online gambling. This state, tucked in the northwest corner of the US, does not allow any form of online gambling – whether online sports or casino games.

In Montana, online gambling is a possible first-degree felony punishable by law. The level of this offense is termed a 1st offense ‘misdemeanor’ if a player plays or wins a bet worth less than $750. If a player bets or wins more than $750, it is termed as a ‘felony.’

An online gambling first-offense misdemeanor in Montana is punishable by a $500 fine and no jail. On the other hand, a felony is punishable by a $50,000 fine and/or ten years in jail. Montana also deems offshore online gambling illegal. Nonetheless, no individual has ever been arrested or arraigned in court for participating in offshore online gambling, such as online sports, video poker, online authentic slots, and online bingo.

How does Montana regulate gambling?

Gambling is regulated by the Montana Gambling Control Division, except for horse racing, sports betting, and the lottery. The division is in charge of overseeing uniform regulations that are fair and free of corruption. This organization is also in charge of licensing casinos that offer several games. Below are some of the casino games legalized in Montana:

• State Lottery
• Poker
• Bingo
• Keno

Montana further regulates gambling by having a minimum allowed gambling age, which is set at 18 years. Children below this age are not allowed to engage in any form of gambling, whether legal or illegal.

According to Montana regulations, legal gambling casino operators should not allow any form of credit card transactions when it comes to betting in casinos. Casino Montana operators are also not allowed to hold credit or debit cards as collateral for gambling activities.

Montana does not regulate some gambling activities, such as shaking dice for a drink or music, possession of antique slot machines, and gambling activities sponsored by non-profit organizations. That said, it is important for event holders to stay updated on legal regulations on gambling to avoid being caught on the wrong side of the law.

Online casino gambling in Montana

According to Montana regulations, online gambling is illegal. Players from Montana opt for offshore online casinos for their wagering instead. While this form is also not legal, it gives them a chance to bet on online casino games.

With the regulations being very strict, the only casino gaming experience that Montana residents can have is at social casinos. A social casino is a type of online gaming platform that allows users to play casino games such as online slots, poker, blackjack, and roulette without wagering real money.

Unlike traditional online casinos, where real money online casinos are the core feature, social casinos focus on the entertainment aspect of gaming, using virtual currencies that have no real-world value. These casinos can be great alternatives to gambling as they offer several games, including slot games, card game machines, and table games.

Players might purchase additional virtual currency with real money, but they cannot cash out their winnings in the form of real money. These platforms are often accessible via web browsers, mobile apps, and social networking sites, emphasizing social interaction among players through chat features, multiplayer games, and competitions.

Online Poker

Poker games are among the most popular casino games played in Montana. This includes online poker games, which offer players a thrilling experience. Basically, Montana residents refer to poker as a game of skill that is played by pitting one player against another. When it comes to online poker, Montana’s law is gray; thus, players can experience the fun of playing poker on online casino sites.

Daily Fantasy Sports

Daily fantasy sports have been a fan favorite in the US. According to reports, the US is expected to have a high market size of about 89.34 million people by 2030. The projection is quite high and underscores the fact that DFS is highly adopted in the US. However, Montana has not legalized DFS yet, leaving players with the option to play DFS on offshore platforms.

Sports Betting

Since 2019, when the state approved a bill to pass sports betting, sports betting has been legal in Montana. This is quite unusual in the US, as Montana is among the nine states that have approved sports gambling. In Montana, sportsbooks are run by the State Lottery, and the HB 725 Lottery model will help control and monitor sports betting in Montana.

Online Horse Betting

Online horse betting is legal in Montana, with various sites offering track horse betting with welcome bonuses of up to $1000. This allows residents of Montana to participate in the excitement of horse racing and betting from the comfort of their own homes, with the added incentive of significant welcome bonuses to start their betting experience. The horse racing games offered online in Montana are as follows: Thoroughbred, Harness racing, Quarter horse.

Lottery

The year 1986 saw the lottery in Montana legalized, with the first tickets sold in 1987. Montana went ahead and authorized most jurisdictional lotteries in 1989, meaning players could play at lottery events held across different states. Residents of Montana can play various lottery games, including Powerball, Montana Cash, and Big Sky Bonus, among others.

History of gambling legislation in Montana

The history of Montana allowing in-person casinos dates back to the 1970s. In 1972, the locals voted in a new constitutional amendment that legalized certain types of gambling, including raffles, bingo, and gambling for charity (i.e., non-profit organizations). Later, in 1973, the Montana legislature approved card games, raffles, bingo, and the Sports Pool Act, which further limited gambling in the state but allowed for the licensing of these games.

As time went by, the regulations were amended to introduce video gambling machines in bars and taverns. The need for the state government to increase its tax revenue from gambling drove this development. Additional factors fueled the introduction of video gaming machines, such as the belief that allowing gambling in small locations like bars was not very harmful to society.