Montana has liberal gambling regulations and legalized online sports betting in 2019, showing openness to evolving gambling regulations. As of September 2022, playing at online casinos is not legal in the state, but residents can use offshore sites. This guide covers Montana’s gambling history and landscape, and also recommends online casinos for those seeking immediate online gambling options in Montana.
Key Things You Need to Know
- Montana has liberal gambling laws but online casino gambling is still illegal within the state as of 2022.
- Residents can play casino games through offshore online casinos, which are regulated outside the United States.
- Exercise caution when choosing an offshore casino; look for ones that are regulated and have positive reviews.
- Online sports betting is legal in Montana, with state-licensed operators providing the service.
- Montana residents are required to report any gambling winnings as taxable income.
- The legal age for gambling in Montana is 18 for lotteries and bingo, and 21 for casinos and online options.
Types of Legal Gambling in Montana
In Montana, the legal framework for gambling is quite clear-cut; all gambling activities are considered illegal unless explicitly sanctioned by state authorities. At present, Montana has legalized various forms of gambling, including sports betting, horse racing, poker, and lottery games. Licensed venues are also permitted to offer video and casino gambling.
Montana offers both Class III and Class II gaming in the state’s Indian casinos. Class III gaming includes slots, blackjack, roulette, and craps, while Class II licenses are limited to video gaming machines.
The Montana State Lottery, established in 1986, provides several games such as drawings and scratch-off tickets. The state’s membership in the Multi-State Lottery Association enables it to offer popular national lottery games like Mega Millions and Powerball. Participants in these lottery games must be at least 18 years old.
Horse racing betting, including off-track betting, is legal in Montana. Legislation enacted in 2019 allows Montana race tracks to operate historical horse racing machines to augment their revenue. Though there are no active horse racing tracks dedicated solely to betting, numerous licensed establishments offer kiosks where Montanans can place off-track wagers.
Charitable Gambling
Charitable gambling is another form of legal gambling in Montana. Organizations recognized as charitable under state law are permitted to host gambling activities as fundraisers. These usually take the form of raffles, bingo, and keno. However, these non-profit companies must adhere to strict regulations and are required to obtain appropriate licensing from the state.
Poker rooms are also available for enthusiasts across Montana in various locations like the Oxford, RiverBoat Cardroom, and Gold Mine Casino. These rooms, however, are generally limited to single-table establishments. Playing poker online within Montana’s borders remains illegal.
Bingo Halls
Bingo is a popular pastime in Montana and is often operated by charitable organizations. Several dedicated bingo halls exist throughout the state, providing residents with the opportunity to partake in this form of social gambling. Some of the notable bingo halls include Big Sky Bingo in Helena, Jackpot Bingo in Billings, and Glacier Peaks Bingo in Browning.
Montana Online Casinos vs. Local Casinos
As a gambler in Montana, you have two choices: you can visit one of the tribal casinos in the state, or you can join one of the offshore gambling sites that provide you with everything on your laptop or mobile device.
While Montana allows land-based casinos, there are few gambling venues with more than 20 machines. The slot machines you’ll find across those state casinos are little more than MT bingo games.
In fact, there aren’t any full-fledged casinos in Montana, and experienced gamblers would be disappointed by the lack of gaming options at the traditional venues across the state. So, online gambling is the way to go if you want to enjoy hundreds of slot machines; multiple tables for roulette, craps, blackjack, and baccarat; and popular online poker games like Texas Hold’em.
So, considering the scarce options in the local gambling industry, there’s no reason to compare the limited gaming options at MT tribal casinos with what the best online casinos have to offer. Most of our recommended sites feature over 300 casino games, including a wide variety of slot machines, video poker machines, and lottery-styled scratch cards.
And if you still want to enjoy the social aspect of land-based casinos, online casino platforms have you covered. Live casino games with real dealers will make you feel as though you were sitting on a casino floor.
How To Gamble Online in Montana
Step 1: Choose Your Online Casino
While Cafe Casino stands out as a popular option for gambling online in the state, there are other worthy contenders we’ve meticulously evaluated in our previous reviews. The selection of the right platform is crucial, as it sets the stage for the quality of your overall gaming experience.
Step 2: Complete the Registration Process
Access the homepage of Cafe Casino and click on the “Join” button to initiate your account setup. This process involves entering rudimentary information such as your email address, full name, and birthdate. Subsequently, you’ll receive an email containing a link for verification. Clicking on this link completes your account activation.
Step 3: Add Money to the Account
After activating your account, go to the section that says “Cashier” to make your initial deposit. Cafe Casino sweetens the deal with an exclusive cryptocurrency bonus, offering up to an additional $2,500 if you opt for digital currencies like Bitcoin. Pick preferred deposit method of your choice and carefully follow the subsequent steps to successfully fund your account.
Step 4: Make Your Bet
Now that your wagering your account is funded and any applicable bonuses claimed, you’re poised to enter the thrilling world of online gambling. Cafe Casino offers a rich variety of gaming options, from video poker and live dealer games to slots with eye-popping jackpots. Scan through the options, select your game of choice, start betting and revel in the excitement.
Gambling in and Near Montana
There are seven Indian tribes in Montana operating ten casinos on reservations. Presently, there are no plans to open commercial casinos in the state.
You can browse through our detailed overview of Montana’s brick-and-mortar casinos here.
The following are some of the most popular tribal casinos in Montana:
Gray Wolf Peak Casino
Address: Missoula, 20750 US-93
Gray Wolf Peak Casino is the largest Indian casino, with nearly 300 machines, a restaurant, and a full bar at the resort.
Glacier Peaks Casino
Address: Browning, 46 Museum Loop
Another central gaming hub in Montana is Glacier Peaks Casino, which features over 300 slot machines on its casino floor. The establishment also includes a hotel and a Jackpot Restaurant.
KwaTaqNuk Casino Resort
Address: Polson, 49708 US-93
This casino and hotel resort offers around 220 gaming machines to its visitors. The property also holds events like weddings or business retreats.
Apsaalooke Nights Casino
Address: Crow Agency, 71 Heritage Rd
Apsaalooke Nights Casino features nearly 200 electronic gaming machines, keno, bingo, and poker on its 4,000-square-foot casino floor.
Northern Winz Hotel & Casino
Address: Box Elder, 11275 US-87
Northern Winz Hotel, a 10,000-floor establishment, features two restaurants and more than 150 gambling machines for casual gamblers.
Other Forms of Gambling in Montana
Montana offers a diverse array of additional gambling avenues that cater to a range of preferences and interests.
- Montana online casinos
- Montana online sportsbooks
- Montana poker sites
- Montana casinos
- Montana bingo
- Montana lottery
- Montana sportsbooks
- Montana race tracks
Casino Games You Can Play in Montana
In Montana, both traditional and offshore casinos offer a wide array of games, from traditional slots and table games to more modern options like live dealer games, satisfying the tastes of various types of gamblers.
Video Slots
Video slots are the modern-day evolution of traditional slot machines, boasting intricate themes, multiple paylines, and a variety of special features such as wild symbols, scatters, and bonus rounds. These games are often based on popular movies, TV shows, or cultural elements, offering players an engaging experience filled with rich graphics and interactive gameplay.
Classic Slots
Reminiscent of the one-armed bandits found in traditional land-based casinos, classic slots usually have three reels and a limited number of paylines. These games are straightforward, focusing less on special features and more on simplicity and the nostalgic charm of a bygone era of slot gaming.
Progressive Jackpot Slots
In a progressive jackpot slot, a portion of each bet goes into a jackpot pool that continues to grow until it’s won. These games can offer life-changing amounts, sometimes reaching millions of dollars. Progressive slots can be standalone or linked across multiple casinos, offering various levels of jackpots: mini, minor, major, and grand.
Blackjack
Blackjack, a card game, melds proficiency with chance, where players try to get a hand value as near 21 as is achievable without also going above. The game pits players against the dealer and offers various strategies and rule variations, making it a favorite for those who enjoy a mix of chance and skill in their gaming experience.
Roulette (European, American, and Other Variants)
Roulette is a game of chance where a ball is dropped onto a spinning wheel divided into numbered pockets. In European Roulette, the wheel has 37 pockets (0-36), while American Roulette features an extra double-zero pocket. Variants like French Roulette offer unique rules such as “La Partage,” which provides more favorable conditions for players.
Baccarat
Baccarat is a card game where players can bet on one of three outcomes: a player win, a banker win, or a tie. The game is known for its simple rules and is a popular choice in both land-based and online casinos. High-stakes Baccarat variations, such as Punto Banco, are favorites among high rollers.
Craps
Craps is a dice game where players make bets on the result of a series of rolls or a pair of dice. The game features a range of betting options, each with its own set of odds, making it one of the more complex and engaging casino games. It’s particularly popular in American casinos.
Video Poker
Video poker merges aspects of slot machines and poker in a machine-based game. The objective is to assemble the optimal five-card combination possible. Players are dealt five initial cards and have the option to hold or discard any of them in a single round of replacements. The game offers various versions, such as Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, and Bonus Poker.
Keno
Keno is a lottery-style game where players choose a set of numbers, usually between 1 and 80. Twenty numbers are then drawn at random, and players are paid based on the number of matches. The game is easy to play and offers the potential for large payouts, although it has a high house edge.
Scratch Cards
Scratch cards are instant-win games where players scratch off a covering to reveal symbols or numbers. A match of certain symbols results in a win. These games are usually themed and offer a range of prizes, from small amounts to large jackpots.
Live Dealer Games (Blackjack, Roulette, Baccarat, Poker, and Game Shows)
Live dealer games bring the atmosphere of a traditional casino directly to the player’s screen. Real human dealers conduct the games in real-time, streamed from a studio or a casino floor. Variants include Live Roulette, Live Blackjack, Live Baccarat, and various forms of Live Poker. Game shows are also increasingly popular, featuring titles like “Deal or No Deal” or “Monopoly Live,” which offer an interactive and immersive experience.
Timeline of Gambling Legislation in Montana
The timeline of gambling legislation in Montana reveals a complex history that includes various forms of gambling becoming legalized, ranging from pari-mutuel horse racing to sports betting.
- 1889 – The state constitution declares all forms of gambling in Montana illegal.
- 1937 – The Hickey Act legalizes some casino table games at specified locations.
- 1973 – The Montana Legislature passes the Card Game, Bingo, Raffles, and Sports Pool Act.
- 1976 – The Montana Supreme Court legalizes video keno.
- 1986 – The legislature passes the Video Poker Machine Act.
- 1989 – Senate Bill 431 centralizes gambling regulation, making the Department of Justice a regulator of the state’s casino laws.
- 1991 – The number of video poker machines increases from five to 20.
- 2005 – The legislature makes internet gambling illegal in Montana.
- 2019 – The state legalizes sports betting.
- 2020 – The Montana Lottery kickstarts sports betting in the state.
Montana Online Gambling FAQs
Is online gambling legal in Montana?
Montana online gambling laws do not allow real-money gambling online. However, the existing regulations mainly target operators as opposed to individual players. Although the state can charge players with the possession of an illegal gambling device, the legality of online gambling in Montana lies in a gray area.
When will Montana regulate online gambling?
Currently, there are no plans to legalize online casino gambling in Montana.
Can I gamble online in Montana?
Yes, you can play online casino games in Montana through offshore sites. However, you should only stick to the most reliable and secure casinos.
How many Montana gambling sites are there?
There are hundreds of online gambling sites welcoming participants from Montana. However, not all these sites are reliable—some are even notorious for questionable practices. So, we advise that you join the safest online casinos in Montana. All of our suggested sites offer a secure online gambling experience.
What type of gambling is legal in Montana?
The Treasure State allows sports betting, horse racing, poker, and lottery games. Montana residents can also enjoy video gambling at licensed Indian casinos and establishments with liquor licenses.
What is the legal gambling age in Montana?
The legal gambling age in Montana is 18.
Where is the largest casino in Montana?
Gray Wolf Peak Casino in Missoula is the largest casino in Montana. The venue features over 300 games, most of which are penny slots.
What are the best Montana online casinos?
All the gambling sites we reviewed above are the best Montana casinos you’ll find online. However, you should review each one carefully to ensure it offers what you’re looking for. For example, if you’re an avid casino gambler, you should try Wild Casino. But, if you’re on the look out for a sportsbook and a casino under one roof, we advise you check out BetUS and BetOnline.
What types of gambling are available in MT?
While there’s no denying the fact that Montana doesn’t have any commercial casinos, many Indian casinos allow Montana residents to experience the unique thrill of playing slots and table games in a real casino setting. Montana has several racetracks and allows pari-mutuel betting. The state also operates its own lottery and charitable gambling, but it doesn’t license or regulate any iGaming sites.
Which regulations govern internet betting in Montana?
Online gambling is overseen by the Montana Constitution and Section 23 of the Montana State Code. The Montana law does apply specifically to online gambling, which means that anyone caught playing on an offshore site will have to pay a fine.
Is it legal to gamble online for real money in Montana?
No, online gambling is illegal in Montana, as none of the sites that accept Montana residents have been licensed by the state to do so. Nevertheless, it’s worth remembering that no one has been penalized so far.
What are the offshore betting platforms that permit participation from residents of Montana?
Although online gambling is illegal in Montana, most offshore sites have no qualms about accepting Montana residents.
Which payment options are the most widely used ones that Montana-focused sites support?
Montana-based players can fund their offshore gambling accounts via payments with debit and credit cards, as well as Western Union/MoneyGram money transfers. If you deposit via a money transfer, you should be allowed to withdraw using this method. Otherwise, most sites will give you a choice between a bank transfer and a couriered check.
Does MT allow internet gambling within its borders?
No, the state of Montana hasn’t developed a proper licensing procedure for the local or offshore businesses yet.
Is it likely for Montana to regulate online gambling?
Unfortunately, Montana is one of the states that aren’t likely to regulate online gambling until there is a breakthrough on the federal level. Online gambling enthusiasts based in Montana are pretty much stuck with the current regulations for now.