Best Montana Online Casinos 2024: Play Legally and Safely!

Online gambling in Montana has been prohibited since 2005, when the state legislature deemed it illegal. Besides internet casinos, there are other forms of gambling that are illegal in Montana. These include fantasy sports betting and dog track betting.

When it comes to lifting the ban on online betting in Montana, it might take some time—perhaps several years. This is so because Montana residents seem to be comfortable with things as they stand. There are no bills or trials to contest legalizing gambling.

However, while offshore online gambling is not legal, players from Montana have turned to it for their e-betting. Offshore e-casinos promise a ton of rewards, online casino bonuses, and winnings to Montana gamblers.

Let’s explore the best online casino offers in Montana, Montana’s online gambling laws, and how Montana regulates gambling.

The best online casino offers in Montana

United States
Montana, United States
  • BetRivers.net
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    Bonuses
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    Customer Support
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    7/10
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  • GoldSlips Casino
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    About GoldSlips Casino
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    7.1 / 10
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    7/10
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  • Huuuge
    #3 Rank
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    8.4
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    Huuuge

    Huuuge Casino boasts a robust selection of 201 finely crafted games, making it a major player in the social casino scene since its launch in 2014. Powered by Huuuge Games and supported by well-known providers like Aristocrat and Playtech, it offers over 4 billion free chips for linking your Facebook and Apple ID. Don’t miss the welcome bonus upon login. For more details, dive into our full Huuuge Social Casino review.

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    Overview
    Rating
    8.4 / 10
    Bonuses
    10/10
    Payment Options
    8/10
    Customer Support
    7/10
    Licensing & Safety
    10/10
    User experience
    8/10
    Game Selection
    8/10
    User reviews
    8/10

    Payment methods

    • Visa
    • Mastercard
    • American Express
    • Discover
    • Apple Pay
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    • +2
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  • Casino4Fun
    #4 Rank
    Casino4Fun
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    8.9
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    About Casino4Fun
    Casino4Fun

    Rush Games Casino4Fun has become a favorite among online social casinos, offering easy account setup and daily virtual coin benefits. Since its 2023 launch, players enjoy jackpot promotions and games ranging from live craps to popular slots crafted by top industry developers. See what our experts at Lucky Gambler have to say about Rush Games Casino4Fun.

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    Overview
    Rating
    8.9 / 10
    Bonuses
    10/10
    Payment Options
    8/10
    Customer Support
    7/10
    Licensing & Safety
    10/10
    User experience
    9/10
    Game Selection
    9/10
    User reviews
    9/10

    Payment methods

    • Visa
    • Mastercard
    • Discover
    • American Express
    21+ | New Player Only - T&C Apply

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.

Legalized online casino games in Montana

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.

Using credit cards to gamble in Montana

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.

Regulations on other gambling-related 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.

Montana 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.

Montana 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.

Montana 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.

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 in Montana casinos

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.

Montana Land Based Casinos

Montana hosts numerous land-based casinos, primarily operating as small establishments offering electronic gaming machines, video poker machines, and a limited selection of live card games. These venues are spread across the state, often located within bars, restaurants, and hotels. The state’s gambling laws allow for licensed gambling as a means of supporting local businesses and economies. The accompanying table provides a comprehensive overview of Montana’s land-based casinos:

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.

Montana Online Casinos FAQ

What is the gambling age in Montana?

The online gambling legal age in Montana is 18 years and older. Individuals below this age are not allowed to engage in any form of gambling, while those over 18 can bet on legalized Montana casino games.

Who regulates gambling in Montana?

Several states have a central regulatory body to regulate gambling (or online gamble). In Montana, where each game is subject to a different authority, this is not the case. For instance, horse racing is regulated by the Montana Board of Horse Racing, and the lottery is regulated by the Montana Lottery Commission.

Are online casinos legal in Montana?

Since 2005, online gambling has been illegal in Montana. While this might seem quite unusual because some other states allow online gambling, Montana has firmed up against online casino gambling. According to Montana’s law, betting operators should not promote e-casino gambling.

Can I win real money at online casinos in Montana?

Online casino gambling is not allowed in Montana, but you can win real money with offshore online betting sites. These sites offer several games whereby players can play and win in casinos and online sports betting. Despite the huge prize promises, it is recommended that players choose casino sites that are reputable and licensed to avoid losing money.

Are gambling winnings taxable in Montana?

Montana State has a withholding tax on all gambling wins. The Montana Lottery and Sports Wagering Commission is in charge of enforcing this tax regulation. The commission charges a tax of 1% on horse racing and a 15% gross income tax on gambling machines.

When will online casinos be legal in Montana?

Online gambling might not be legalized in Montana anytime soon. Despite that, we cannot rule out the fact that Montana state laws are subject to change and might even allow online casino gambling in the state. However, it is quite unclear when this form of online betting will be legalized.

Serhii Bielyi Written by Serhii Bielyi

Serhii is an Data Scientist and SEO expert with over 11 years of experience. Since 2018, he has been the SEO Team Lead at an international marketing agency. He is also a professional poker player, specifically Texas No-Limit Hold’em, since 2019.

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