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Online gambling in Montana

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Unlike most other US states, Montana does not follow the usual patterns of gambling that can be observed in most other states. While the Treasure State has signed gaming compacts with the local Indian tribes, most of the action happens in local bars and other liquor-serving establishments. In this guide, we will delve into everything you need to know about online gambling in Montana.

Best online gambling sites in Montana

DraftKings Montana Best gambling site for risk-free betting
FanDuel Montana Best gambling site for bonus offers
PointsBet Montana Best gambling site for in-play wagering
BetRivers Montana Best gambling site for mobile betting

DraftKings Montana

DraftKings has grown swiftly to become the largest online sports betting site in Montana and the US since its founding in 2012. DraftKings, a Boston-based company, offers more tournaments in a wider range of sports than any other supplier in the gambling industry. On DraftKings, there are many betting options accessible. It assures you of a terrific gambling experience unmatched by anything else. Additionally, it provides iOS and Android mobile apps. Gamblers may essentially carry the gaming site around with them thanks to this. Furthermore, it is highly famous across the states as a result of various bonuses and promotions it provides to its gamblers.

PointsBet Montana

Despite having its roots in Australia, PointsBet has relocated to the US and is now present in many US states. It provides a fresh approach to gambling on several well-known sporting events and rewards participants for placing wagers as accurately as they can. PointsBet is the only online gambling site that offers PointsBetting, a substitute for conventional wagering. It offers some of the most aggressive odds on the market along with special traditional gambling options, daily boosters, promotions, and robust customer service. Additionally, they are the only gambling site that accepts its own Mastercard.

BetRivers Montana

Thanks to its long and illustrious gambling history, it is one of the most trustworthy online gambling firms out there. Everything about BetRivers is excellent, from the welcome bonus to the extensive game library. Because of a number of cutting-edge features, BetRivers has emerged as a pioneer in the field of online gambling innovation. Gambling functions effectively on BetRivers’ mobile-friendly site. However, you’ll get the finest experience, if you use their MT betting app. Furthermore, it’s simple and secure to deposit money to or withdraw it from your BetRiversonline gambling account. There are numerous reliable methods that back up BetRivers’ positive assessment.

FanDuel Montana

One of the biggest online gambling sites in the world is FanDuel. The platform provides significant competition for the majority of prestigious US leagues. With mobile gaming, you can gamble whenever you want and from wherever you are. Furthermore, whether you access it through the app or the internet, you can be confident that your gambling experience will be safe and dependable. Compared to the majority of other sites, FanDuel offers more secure financial options. Furthermore, the large variety of bonuses and promotions at FanDuel is another important aspect of its appeal as a major online gambling site.

BetMGM Montana

BetMGM has been a prominent player in the American online gambling sector since it introduced its online gambling platform. Compared to some of its rivals, BetMGM has a visually appealing website and app that is highly user-friendly. Additionally, it is orderly and free of turmoil. Both iOS and Android devices can use the app. Furthermore, it is quite famous throughout the States that BetMGM is a reliable and trustworthy online gambling platform. Its rich bonuses and variety of gambling options are the talks of the town across the States. Bottom line is that, at BetMGM, there is always something for everyone.

Online gambling games such as slots and poker are not legal in Montana. However, a sports betting app is available, but only if you are physically present near one of the 142 Sports Bet Montana kiosks that are present throughout the state.

Although the Treasure State has inked gambling agreements with the nearby Indian tribes, the majority of the action still takes place in physical locations. In order to protect state-regulated gambling and restrict unlawful gambling.

Montana recently revised its gambling legislation. According to the most recent gambling legislation, it is still illegal to wager online in Montana, unless you are doing it through an offshore website that is not subject to state regulation. However, as an alternative, we strongly advise against using offshore gambling websites. Because of the nonregulation of these offshore sites, there are several potential issues for users.

How to gamble online in MT?

The procedure for gambling on an online gambling site in Montana is rather quick and simple. However, because Montana’s gambling industry is still growing, new players may encounter certain difficulties when starting to gamble at an online gambling site.

As a result, we have included a step-by-step tutorial so that players can easily gamble at any online casino in Montana. You can assume that the process is substantially the same throughout Montana. So let’s jump right into the procedure:

  1. You must first select a reputable and valid online gambling site. In this regard, you should determine whether a website is legitimate and has the right permits to function in Montana before choosing it. Therefore, you should only select a website at which gambling online is legal in Montana.
  2. Go to the website or download the gambling app directly from the website after choosing a gambling site to start gambling at it.
  3. The following action is making an account. You must enter your personal data here. Your full name, email address, postal address, and phone number from Montana are all included in this data. The website may also ask a bettor for their complete or partial social security number.
  4. Then follow the instructions as given through the pages of the registration process.
  5. You will get the chance to take advantage of the most recent bonus offered by the gaming site here. Your account will automatically be awarded the bonus after you enter the promo code information.
  6. Visit the payment page of the website before continuing. After choosing a payment method from the website’s list of available payment methods, make the deposit of your desired amount of money.
  7. You are now ready to start your Montana online gambling journey.

Types of online gambling in Montana

The popularity of online gambling has greatly increased recently. It is currently outpacing conventional gambling in terms of popularity and earnings, and it is expanding at an alarming rate. Online gambling comes in a variety of forms, but you can wager on practically any game.

Although, not all types of online gambling are legal in Montana as of now. Down below you can see what types of sports are legal and illegal for Montana residents.

Legal gambling options in Montana

The legal forms of online gambling in Montana include sports betting and horse race betting.

Sports betting

The main focus of sports betting is placing bets on a game’s or event’s result. Bettors make an effort to predict the outcomes and offer their best guess as to what will happen. Most often, gamblers use a Montana online sportsbook. The lines or odds for the wagers that are available are established by the oddsmakers at the various books. You’ll soon realize that there’s much more to sports betting than simply picking winners and losers as you develop skills.

Sports betting is available in a variety of ways, and each one requires a specific set of skills. Here are some examples of the common wagers available in sportsbooks. From the comfort of your Montana home, you may bet on all key sports. Baseball, basketball, hockey, American football, and numerous more sports are among them. Sports betting is a ton of fun, and there’s also a possibility to make huge money while engaging in something you like. That’s a win-win situation, but it’s also important to approach it rationally.

Horse racing

The pari-mutuel system is most commonly used for horse racing wagers in the state of Montana. This means that all wagers are combined into a pool, and the odds on each horse are determined by the amount of money wagered on it. Accordingly, the favorite is the horse that has received the most wagers out of all of its competitors.

The pool manager deducts a portion of the winnings, and the remaining funds are the rewards of the winners of the race. It will be difficult to make any money betting on your favorite races if the horse racing betting odds aren’t worthwhile. All Montana horse racing betting companies provide competitive odds, so it’s always a good idea to compare prices with a few different bookmakers in an effort to obtain the best odds available. Live betting options are also available in online horse racing.

Gambling options that are not yet legal in Montana

Forms of online gambling that are not yet legal include poker rooms and online casinos.

Poker

Poker has been a well-liked card game for a very long time. However, in the twenty-first century, Poker’s appeal has skyrocketed. The fact that you can play online is definitely contributing to this increase in popularity. It’s difficult to remember a time before the first poker websites started to surface on the internet a few decades ago. Nowadays, a lot of people get their start in the game by playing online, and a lot of gamers have only ever done so. It is understandable given its popularity, why there are so many websites where you can play online poker.

The finest part of this situation is that you can genuinely win money playing real money poker, which is a dream come true for millions of individuals worldwide. It also requires mental toughness and the right mindset. This suggests that the road to success as a professional poker player is also a road to personal growth. If you can visit poker rooms without having to pay a significant rake, you can make that journey on your own. Keeping this in mind, online poker is now a lot more competitive than it was at first. Whether they play for fun or for a living, all online poker players have one goal in mind and that is to increase their bankroll.

Casino

Since the introduction of the first online casino sites, the sector has seen numerous changes, probably most notably in the area of pertinent legislation and regulation. The caliber and standard of what the site is offering have also seen significant improvement. However, everything still functions essentially the same manner as it did in the middle of the 1990s.

Even though many individuals are hesitant to bet online because they believe it to be extremely tough or complicated, everything is still fairly simple. The majority of physical casinos offer the same games that can be found on their websites for online gaming. This gives you easy access to them with only a touch of your finger. Several online casinos also provide live dealer games, which are played with real croupiers and standard casino equipment. Aside from the obvious possibility of winning money, playing at online casinos may be a lot of fun.

Online gambling tips in MT

Players can now effortlessly gamble from any location because of the growth of online gaming. These sites are fun, adaptable, and practical for everyone involved. However, you should make sure that you always have a plan that satisfies all of your preferences and requirements before you indulge in online gambling. As a result, we have put together the following advice to help you succeed at online casinos.

  • Check if the gambling site is legit – When choosing an online casino, it is usually advisable to look into the license of the site. A trustworthy website oughts to have a license from the local government. Once more, the website needs to have the proper licenses. Additionally, confirm that the casino website conforms with the requirements, norms, and standards for online gaming. Visit a website that offers online gambling to discover if it has a license. These licenses and certifications are normally located at the page’s bottom of a website. Casinos that are recognized and licensed are known to provide certain standards of services. Players can find comprehensive and accurate reviews of online gambling websites on some consumer protection websites.
  • Pick a gambling site that has your preferred payment method – You must create an account and then fund it with real money in order to gamble at an online gambling site. Because of the potential danger involved, it is best to first consider your banking options before depositing any money. Therefore, always pick the online gambling site that accepts your preferred method of payment. Because it makes no sense to gamble at a site where you can’t deposit and withdraw money without feeling stressed.
  • Compare bonuses of the gambling sites – The majority of online gambling sites provide a variety of incentives to entice gamblers. These consist of items like rewards, free spins, welcome packages, and promotional deals. Therefore, you must compare these bonuses from different online gambling sites. It will help you in choosing the online gambling site with the best bonuses and promotions available.
  • Build a bankroll – One thing to note right away in online gambling is that managing your bankroll is a little simpler. Since it takes time, most of us find it convenient to do it from a chair or bed at home. Now that gambling is not what we see in movies, managing your bankroll can be difficult. The truth is really different, and there is no way you can ever reproduce that if you weren’t born under a very lucky star. So, it is important to start with a competitive strategy in the context of your bankroll.

Who regulates online gambling in Montana?

Online gambling in Montana is governed by the Gambling Control Division, with the exception of sports betting, the Montana Lottery, and horse racing. The Division is tasked by the law with upholding a unified regulatory environment that is impartial and free from corrupt influences. Additionally, the division is in charge of bringing in gaming tax money for state and local governments.

By amending the state’s existing laws, HB 725 makes it possible for the Montana Lottery to regulate sports betting. Now, all sports betting in the state is managed and controlled by the Montana Lottery.

Last but not the least, the Montana Board of Horse Racing (MBHR), a division of the Montana Department of Commerce, oversees pari-mutuel betting on both live and simulcast horse races. Furthermore, the Montana Racing Commission is the government agency in charge of issuing licenses for MT online horse betting.

Online horse race gambling in Montana

Even though horse racing has a long history dating back to the 1700s, Montana’s horse racing business has declined. It has forced many people to rely on online Montana horse racing betting sites for fixed and pari-mutuel gambling. In the state, there are still three horse racing tracks in operation, along with eight Off Track Betting locations.

There are now a few bookmakers with a Montana online horse betting license and a betting app for Montana players. However, as more and more racebooks are anticipated to apply for a license in the near future, their number is always increasing.

It’s simple and advantageous to open an account with a reputable racebook. The ability to wager from the comfort of your home is the largest advantage.

Timeline of gambling legislation in MT

  • In 1889, Montana’s constitution decided to include a provision that made any form of gambling in the state illegal. However, the state still saw numerous locations hosting illegal gaming activities despite the ban.
  • Years later, in 1933, the state decided to repeal this ban and this led to legal gaming and bars now resurfacing in the state. Four years after this repeal, Montana passed the Hickey Act. Here, bettors would be allowed to play table games in various public spaces. For this to be done legally, these venues would have to have a state license to operate.
  • In 1945, Montana authorized approval for the State Board of Equalization to provide licensing so slot machines could be placed at non-profit organizations. These slot machines would later work to collect taxes on all gambling revenue. It’s here that the term “trade simulators” came into existence.
  • In 1949, the state legislature chose to establish a law enforcement agency. Upon making this decision, it set aside $40,000 so the state’s gaming laws could be enforced. A year later, the Montana Supreme Court ruled that punch boards and slot machines are unconstitutional. This then led to these being regarded as illegal.
  • In 1972, a constitutional referendum surfaced. This referendum approved Montana’s legislature and gave voters in the state authority to approve or disapprove gaming that would take place in the state. The following year then saw the state pass the Card Game, Bingo, Raffles, and Sports Pool Act. This act would then allow games to be played at legally licensed locations that were within state borders.
  • In 1983, state voters successfully managed to defeat a proposed initiative that would have made each county in Montana get to decide whether or not it would accept and legalize various forms of gaming. Between 1984 and 1986, a lot transpired within the state’s gambling market.
  • 1984 saw the Montana Supreme Court make a decision that video poker machines aren’t legal in the state. At the same time, the court used the same precedent to outlaw slot machines in the state as well.
  • In 1985, the state passed a law known as the Video Poker Machine Act. Here, the act would legalize operations that have liquor licenses to offer keno and video poker machines at their locations.
  • By 1986, state voters took the decision to approve the Montana Lottery.
  • In 1993, PASPA went into effect for all states in the United States, however, Montana received a limited exemption from this.
  • By the time it was 1995, House Bill 527 was passed by the Montana legislature. Under this legislature, licensed locations received permission to raise video poker machine payouts to a maximum of $800.
  • In 1997, Montana saw itself reach heights of success by completing an interim compact. This was with the confederated Kooteni and Salish tribes. With such success, the state would be allowed to continue its gaming in Flathead Indian Reservations.
  • For years, the betting market went quiet, but in 2002, the state initiated a combined license for gaming and liquor. This was initiated by the Department of Revenue together with the state’s Gambling Control Division.
  • By 2005, Montana approved legislation that banned gaming on the internet.
  • By 2019, the state decided to legalize sports betting. This made it the first state to do so. During this time, Montana passed a law that made betting on sports legal. And to keep all operations legal, betting had to take place on the licensed property using betting apps and lottery kiosks.

FAQ

What is the legal online gambling age in Montana?

18 is the minimum age to use an online gambling site in Montana. Under the authority of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, Montana began to enter into agreements with the local Indian tribes in 1988 to allow them to open casinos on their tribal land. The legal gambling age is set at 18 by this Act. The same rules still hold true.

Will I be arrested for gambling online in Montana?

No, you won’t be arrested for gambling online in Montana. It is legal to play for real money in Montana since players who engage in real money online gambling won't face legal action from the authorities. With that said, we cannot overstate how crucial it is to select an authorized and regulated online casino. Because gambling at a licensed site will put you on the safe side.

Can I gamble on the lottery online in Montana?

No, you cannot gamble on the lottery online In Montana. Online ticket purchases require the use of a credit card, and using a credit card for such purchases is prohibited by state law. Players can buy tickets in advance for potential absences from the state, but they are unable to do so while traveling outside of it.