Gambling In Montana: Our Guide For You
Montana’s breathtaking scenes, hospitable people, and famous mountains don’t quite prepare you for the state’s complicated relationship with gambling. Despite being a mostly rural part of the country, when you happen to be in Montana, you find a patchwork of gaming opportunities—fueled by both law and local culture—that gives you the chance to place a bet. Still, however, you’re not anywhere close to the immediate-access, around-the-clock casino lifestyle of a place like Las Vegas.
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Montana’s Gambling Timeline
For decades, Montana’s gambling laws hadn’t changed much. But they began to shift dramatically in the late 20th century, pulled along by the force of public demand. In 1985, the state legislature passed a long-awaited act and, with it, a new era of gaming began. Editorial boards from across the state duly noted the event and hailed the legalization of “games of chance and skill.” An op-ed piece in the Great Falls Tribune said the act was “a long time coming” but was “right for Montana.”
Regulated Gambling Activities
Montana today oversees a diverse assortment of regulated gambling activities. Although it does not license any commercial casinos, the state’s legal gaming options are many and various. They include tribal casinos, gaming by charities, poker, bingo, betting on horse races, fantasy sports, and local color like a fishing derby and “shake-a-day.” These games are regulated to ensure that they are played fairly, and all the venues must meet strict licensing requirements.
Montanans Greatest Poker Players
The state of Montana has given rise to some outstanding poker competitors. Among them is Ian Gordon, who took down the 2010 World Series of Poker’s HORSE tournament. Another one of Montana’s greats, Huck Seed, won the Main Event in ’96. These players are emblematic of a poker scene that is quietly thriving in the Big Sky Country; Montana poker has a proud heritage.
Most Popular Methods for Beating The Odds
There are many ways to gamble in Montana, from state-run lotteries to tribal casinos. Here are a few of the most popular (and legal) methods Montanans use to try to beat the odds:
The lottery that serves the residents of Montana has been around since 1986. They do not have a very extensive repertoire, but they do offer some scratch-off tickets and a few other types of draw games. Horse racing can be wagered upon legally in the state, but it should be noted that this is very much a limited opportunity, as only a couple of events each year are conducive to betting. Although there are no commercial casinos to speak of, Montana is home to several tribal casinos, each of which serves up a different assortment of mostly electronic games.
From Fantasy Sports Betting to Betting on the Weather!
In Montana, you can play fantasy sports betting, but it’s regulated to keep it fair. You can also make some other kinds of bets—like on the weather—that are not strictly related to gambling, but that you can do in certain venues where they’ve got the right licenses. But gambling is only legal in Montana if it follows the common-sense laws we have in place, which limit how much you can bet, how much you can win, and how often you can gamble. And those laws are enforced in part to keep people safe.
Fishing Derbies, anyone?
Montana’s gambling laws are based on the idea that any game with chance, consideration (a wager), and a prize is gambling. However, some games are exempt from those laws, including ones that are free to play and those that involve no money.
Take, for instance, the case of dice games. They are typically prohibited, yet “shake-a-day,” an activity in which players shake dice for a chance to snag prizes, is permissible. Players pay a nominal sum for the delightfully dubious prospect of winning some of the pool of money sitting next to the shakers. “Fishing derbies” and wagers on the atmospheric events are likewise state-approved—not illegal—forms of gambling.
All Low Stakes Gambling
Alcohol-serving venues with liquor licenses may apply to provide several forms of low-stakes gambling. These include card games, sports pools, and electronic gaming. Whatever “events” they plan to use as gambling opportunities must follow strict regulations related to their timing and frequency. Moreover, any prizes awarded to winners of such events must stay within an $800 cap. Many nonprofits also seek to raise cash by providing patrons with opportunities to engage in some pastimes usually associated with gambling. Events organized by nonprofits can last half a day longer than those organized by for-profit venues.
Poker Made Montana Famous
Many local poker rooms operate in smaller venues, such as bars and private clubs. These games are licensed and must follow state rules related to poker, such as who can deal, the betting limits, and prize amounts. While Montanans can’t partake in World Series of Poker-style cash games, they can find opportunities to compete in local events, like the barroom-style tournament I played at several years ago at the Great Northern Hotel. And celebrity poker players have occasionally made Montana the focus of some favorable publicity.
Taking the Lead in Responsible Gambling
Montana has done some relatively small things to change its gambling laws, but it resolutely stays off the online gaming express. In 2013, for instance, Montana passed House Bill 141, which increased the maximum payout for live card games in liquor-licensed establishments from $300 to $800. And this change, which was supposed to give poker some more life in the state, has apparently worked — at least, the state assures us, some poker venues now “thrill and chill” as much as any poker room in the country. Still, as with some other recent changes to the state’s laws, HB 141 stayed within the clearly defined boundaries of the “in-person” poker experience.
You Can Bet On Diversity and Entertainment!
Montana’s gambling landscape is diverse, but it is not as expansive as that of some other states. While state-licensed casinos are not found within Montana’s borders, residents and visitors can partake in a satisfyingly varied array of amusements—like state lotteries, as well as tribal and charity casinos—that are found nearby. Not too long ago, it seemed likely that poker and similar card games would be consigned to history, but they have made a comeback in liquor-licensed venues, which are now allowed (as are all venues in Montana) to stage poker tournaments. If anything, the biggest potential growth area for Montana’s gaming industry seems to involve the legalization of virtual casino games played over the internet.
Disclaimer: This article provides only general information about Montana’s gambling laws. If you desire a precise and current understanding, especially when it comes to your own specific legal situation, you should speak with a qualified person in the law. As with any statute or regulation, things can and do change, and what you read here may not be an accurate statement of the law at the time you read it. Authorities should be consulted before you engage in any form of betting or wagering to ensure that you understand and are following what is legal and what isn’t.