Montana Sports Betting Guide

Montana Legal Sports Betting Overview

Disclaimer: No commission or monetary compensation is made by 997655.com in relation to any of the featured free links displayed to visitors in the State of Montana.

Montana Sports Betting Summary

Montana took a different approach to legalizing sports betting than most states when they launched SportsBet Montana. This is the only permitted MT sportsbook and is in partnership with Intralot. Governor Steve Bullock signed HB 725 on May 3, 2019 and both retail and online sports betting became available in March 2020 under the regulation of the Montana Lottery.

You can find betting kiosks at thousands of lottery locations and place bets worth up to $250. There are also several bars and casinos partnered with the Montana Lottery that you can visit and use the SportsBet Montana app to wager up to $1000. You can use the app anywhere in the state to view odds and make deposits but you must be at a partnered retail location to wager.

Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) games are not available in MT, but you can bet on horse racing online using sites like TwinSpires, TVG, and XpressBet.

Read our complete guide to learn more about sports betting in the Treasure State. You’ll find information on the latest legislation, state gambling laws, restrictions on betting, and a review of SportsBet Montana.

SportsBet Montana Review

SportsBet Montana is the only betting platform available in MT. If you want to learn more about this Intralot-backed sportsbook, check out how it performs below compared to national betting sites:

• Mobile App

You can download SportsBet Montana for Android and iOS devices. Navigation is easy, and you can switch between markets with a few taps. The app also updates frequently, so the in-play odds are up-to-date. However, players are limited to only creating betting slips – you must visit a partnered retail location to place any bets.

• Welcome Bonus

When you register with top US sportsbooks like DraftKings and BetMGM, you receive a bonus to let you try the betting site and potentially boost your bankroll. Unfortunately, SportsBet Montana does not offer a welcome bonus currently. Be sure to check the promotions section regularly though, as sportsbooks always introduce new offers to incentivize players.

• Competitive Odds

There are some markets where Montana’s only sportsbook can compete with the best betting sites in the US. In particular, you’ll find better payouts on moneyline favorites than many other options. However, its betting lines are generally average at best, and most markets offer less value than you’d find at WynnBET, PointsBet, or other top providers in other states.

• Market Coverage

Compared to other smaller US brands, SportsBet Montana does an excellent job of covering a wide variety of markets. As with any betting site in the US, the focus is on the major leagues and there are many options for every game. However, it also has an impressive range of niche markets like MMA and IndyCar, as well as college betting options.

• Suitability for Beginner Bettors

SportsBet Montana caters to all levels of players and has a dedicated section to teaching the basics of wagering called “Sports Betting 101”. There is also a “How to Bet” page with advice on placing wagers on different sports and bet types. In the FAQs, you’ll find advice for getting started at the betting site, including guidance on account verification.

• Payout Speed

There are just two withdrawal methods at SportsBet Montana, Automated Clearing House (ACH) and Play+. However, the site only gives the withdrawal times for ACH, which is five business days. This is pretty slow compared to some US sportsbooks that offer same-day withdrawals with certain payment methods.

How to Place a Bet in Montana

While sports betting has been live in Montana since 2020, many residents may not have given it a try. SportsBet Montana is available in more retail locations than ever, so follow our step-by-step guide below to place your first wager:

1. Do some research on the bets you want to place. The more informed your wagers are, the better your chances of winning.

2. Download the SportsBet Montana app for Apple or Android devices. The app will need to access your geolocation services to check you are betting in a licensed location.

3. Provide details like your full name, address, date of birth, phone number, email, and the last four digits of your Social Security number to register an account. The sportsbook needs this information to verify your identity and protect you from fraud and underage gambling.

4. Visit the sportsbook’s cashier section and follow the instructions to make a deposit.

5. Browse the markets and choose a wager. You can add it to your bet slip and decide how much to wager. Remember, you can bet a maximum of $1000 using the SportsBet Montana app.

6. Visit a partnered retail location and place your bet.

7. Return to the cashier section and withdraw your winnings.

Who is Eligible to Bet in MT?

In most US states you need to be 21 to place legal wagers, but the minimum age in Montana is 18. You must remain within state lines while using the SportsBet Montana app and allow it to access your geolocation services.

In addition, the people listed below are prohibited from wagering:

• Players, coaches, employees, or members of any professional or college sports team.

• Officials, referees, or umpires of professional or college sports leagues.

• Individuals who have professional or regulatory authority to influence players.

• Individuals employed by a sports league who can create or influence rules for that sport (e.g., NBA, NCAA)

• Individuals who have an ownership stake in a sports team.

• Individuals who have access to non-public information about a sports team (e.g., access to player medical records)

• Individuals that have voluntarily excluded themselves from gambling activities.

• Individuals who are prohibited from betting at a state or federal level (e.g., due to criminal history).

Latest Montana Sports Betting Updates

Timeline for Sports Betting in Montana

• March 11, 2020: SportsBet Montana, the lottery’s betting product, launches in the state.

• June 10, 2019: It is confirmed that an attempt to override the Governor’s veto fails, and SB 330 does not become law.

• May 3, 2019: Gov. Bullock signs HB 725 to legalize sports betting with the Montana Lottery. He also vetoes SB 330.

• April 25, 2019: House Speaker Greg Hertz passes HB 725, sending it to the Governor.

• April 18, 2019: SB 330 passes the Senate again and is sent to the Governor.

• April 17, 2019: HB 725 passes the Senate with amendments and is returned to the House. The House immediately agrees to these changes.

• April 15, 2019: SB 330 passes the House with some amendments and returns to the Senate for approval.

• April 1, 2019: SB 330 passes the Senate on its third reading and moves to the House.

• March 30, 2019: HB 725 passes the House and moves to the Senate.

• March 22, 2019: HB 725, a bill to legalize sports betting through the state’s lottery, is introduced to the House.

• March 13, 2019: SB 330, a bill to allow bars across the state to offer their own sports betting platforms, is introduced to the Senate.

• May 14, 2018: The US Supreme Court strikes down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA), giving each state the right to legalize sports betting.

• August 31, 2008: Sports Action becomes available to MT players.

• 2007: The Montana Legislature passes an act to allow the lottery to offer a fantasy sports wagering game called Sports Action.

• October 28, 1992: PASPA is introduced to stop sports betting in all states where it has not already been legalized. Montana’s lottery betting pools are exempt from this ban.

• 1973: The Montana Legislature passes the Card Game, Bingo, Raffles and Sports Pool Act, allowing the Montana Lottery to operate sports pool games.

Montana Sports Betting Background

Montana was one of the few states in the US, along with Nevada, Delaware, and Oregon, to be exempt from PASPA. Its sports pool, operated by the lottery, was established before PASPA was introduced and allowed to continue operating legally. However, the state couldn’t expand its sports betting offering until the US Supreme Court struck down PASPA in 2018.

Two sports betting bills were introduced in 2019, one of which was the successful HB 725. The other was SB 330, which would have allowed bars to offer their own sports betting products. This could have seen US sportsbooks launching throughout the state. Both bills passed the House and the Senate, but Gov. Bullock vetoed SB 330, citing the need to enter the market “conservatively”.

Future of Montana Sports Betting

In Gov. Bullock’s SB 330 veto letter, he mentioned that if sports betting was a success “in two years”, he expected “the legislature to revisit whether a second model is prudent for our state.” However, the only sports betting legislation that has been introduced since was HB 193 to remove the cap on winnings for bettors using the lottery’s sports pool game. Gov. Bullock signed that bill in March 2021.

If sports betting is expanded in the future to allow US operators to launch in the state, brands like DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM are expected to move into the market. These sports betting brands are available in MT’s neighboring state Wyoming.

Montana Sports Betting Locations

334 locations in Montana operate casino games and allow you to wager using SportsBet Montana. Many of these locations are bars or other retailers rather than dedicated casinos.

Below are three of our favorite venues:

B&H Casino

• Address: 6505 Jackrabbit Lane, Belgrade, MT 59714

• Website: https://www.bandhcasino.com/

• Phone Number: (406) 388-2966

B&H Casino is partnered with SportsBet Montana to allow you to use the website and app on the premises. You can wager up to $1000 using the app rather than just $250 with lottery betting kiosks. The casino also gives you access to the lottery’s Sports Action fantasy sports betting platform for major league games and NASCAR racing. You can wager on all these sports and more like tennis and golf.

Diamond Jim’s Casino Russell

• Address: 1605 S. Russell Street, Missoula, MT 59801

• Website: https://diamond-jims-casino.com/

• Phone Number: (406) 541-6711

Diamond Jim’s Casino Russell is another partner of the Montana Lottery, and you can use SportsBet Montana when on the casino’s grounds. You can wager on sports like European soccer and IndyCar while enjoying the casino and bar at Diamond Jim’s. If you’re a frequent visitor to the casino, you can join the I-Rewards program and earn rewards.

Five Spot Bar Casino

• Address: 3 N. Woodard Avenue, Absarokee, MT 59001

• Website: https://www.fivespotbar.com/

• Phone Number: (406) 328-9171

You can visit Five Spot Bar and use SportsBet Montana to place wagers of up to $1000. You can wager on all the major leagues, either pre-game or in-play. There are also markets for niche sports like MMA. The bar has a casino with slot games, and more you can enjoy. There is also a restaurant and a catering service, which add to the experience when watching an event. If you like Five Spot, you can join the VIP program to get information about new offers and promotions.

Montana Land-Based Casinos and Betting Venues

Montana Lottery Locations

The Montana Lottery was created in 1987 following a public referendum the previous year. The regulatory body was placed in charge of providing and regulating sports betting in the state by HB 725, in a similar system to Rhode Island’s. You can visit thousands of lottery retailers across the state and place wagers in person for up to $250. Alternatively, you can use the SportsBet Montana website at these locations to bet up to $1000.

Off-Track and Stadium Betting Locations

The Montana Lottery does not permit sports venues to open retail sportsbooks. However, pari-mutuel betting is legal in the state and overseen by the Montana Board of Horse Racing.

All the off-track betting (OTB) locations in the state closed down at the end of 2019 when the Board of Horse Racing didn’t renew the simulcast betting contract due to dwindling demand. This was compounded in 2020 when COVID-19 forced the state's two racetracks to shut.

Montana Responsible Gambling Resources

• Montana National Council on Problem Gambling – Provides a list of problem gambling resources in Montana while offering a 24/7 live chat and helpline. (800) 522-4700

• Gamblers Anonymous – Organizes anonymous meetings across the state where gamblers can go and share their experiences. It also provides a 20-question survey and a treatment program. (406) 860-8287 or (406) 431-1663

Bettors can use SportsBet Montana's self-exclusion option to close their account for a minimum of six months. Once triggered, the bettor's account will not be reactivated under any circumstances during the exclusion period. There is also the option to select a "Cool Off Period" for a minimum of 24 hours, where a user can still access their account and withdraw funds but cannot deposit or conduct any wagering activity.

Teams to Bet on in Montana

• Pro Sports

With just over one million residents, Montana doesn’t have a large enough population to support a major league franchise. Not only that but MT is surrounded by states that also don’t have their own major sports teams. There are still plenty of sports fans in the Treasure State, but they support teams a little further away.

Here are some of the most popular teams among Montana residents:

• Minor League Sports

Although there are no major league franchises in Montana to get behind, there are several minor league teams based in the state. If you’re a fan of ice hockey, you can watch the Bozeman Icedogs and the Helena Bighorns play in the NA3HL. The Billings Bulls also used to play in the NA3HL and won five regular season championships, but the team folded in 2017. The Missoula Bruins Jr. also played ice hockey in the state but moved to South Dakota and became the Badlands Sabres in 2021.

Three minor league baseball teams play in the Pioneer League in Montana: the Billings Mustangs, Great Falls Voyagers, and Missoula PaddleHeads. The Mustangs have won 15 league championships and ten division championships throughout their history, having previously been affiliated with the Cincinnati Reds. The Voyagers’ name and space-themed logo reference the Mariana UFO incident, and the team has won 13 division championships. The PaddleHeads spent most of their history known as the Missoula Osprey until a name change in 2019. The team has won the Pioneer League Championship five times.

• College Sports

Montana Grizzlies: The University of Montana Grizzlies have 15 varsity teams playing in the Big Sky Conference. The school has been playing football since 1897 and has won two FCS National Championships. The basketball team has also reached the NCAA Tournament seven times.

Montana State Bobcats: As one of the biggest rodeo colleges in the US, Montana State hosted the College National Finals Rodeo for almost 30 years. The Bobcats have won eight National Team Championships and 32 individual National Championships.

• Women’s Sports

There are no professional women's sports in Montana, but fans can get behind one of the many successful varsity teams at the Division I colleges. For example, the Grizzlies’ women's basketball team has reached the NCAA Tournament 22 times and won the Big Sky Regular Season Championship 23 times.

How Does Montana Compare to Other States?

• Market Coverage

SportsBet Montana provides pretty good coverage with its 16 sports markets, and plenty of betting lines for the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL. You’ll also find college sports betting options for football and basketball. Surprisingly for a small platform, there is a wide variety of niche sports markets, including boxing, MMA, NASCAR, and IndyCar. You’ll even find sports that won’t always be available at major sportsbooks like cycling and Aussie Rules.

• Competitive Odds & Prices

The odds at SportsBet Montana are relatively impressive, offering you decent value when you back moneyline favorites on sports like the MLB. With its best odds, SportsBet Montana can compete with top brands like DraftKings and FanDuel. However, most betting lines are beaten by the top US sportsbooks. MT bettors would have more competitive odds if other online sportsbooks could launch in the state.

• Gambling Revenue

SportsBet Montana launched in March 2020, and after a slow start thanks to COVID-19 (only handling $8,485 in its first two months) has since handled $88,051,368 as of June 2022. From this betting handle, the sportsbook has taken revenue of $11,888,057. As SportsBet Montana is the only sportsbook in the state and is operated by the lottery, no official figures for how much tax has been collected have been released.

Rhode Island has a very similar system to MT, allowing its lottery regulator to run and regulate its sportsbooks. The states also have almost identical populations (both around 1.1 million). The major difference is Rhode Island players can use the lottery's sportsbook anywhere within state lines. Rhode Island has handled $1,198,000,924 and collected revenue of $102,111,233 as of June 2022. The largest betting handle in Rhode Island history was October 2021 at $60,158,844, compared to $5,570,000 in Montana.

Even considering that Rhode Island launched sports betting much earlier than Montana in November 2018, the lack of statewide sports betting is clearly a big factor in why Montana is missing out on so much revenue – especially considering the state has a more spread-out population than RI.

• Betting Taxes

Regardless of the state where you are wagering in the US, you must declare all your betting winnings to the IRS. You must also complete a W-2G form if you win more than $600 in a year. Any sportsbook you bet with may hold up to 25% of your winnings to comply with tax rules. Alongside this, you must also include your winnings when completing your state income tax form, which in Montana varies from 1% to 6.75%.

According to the Internal Revenue Code, sportsbooks must pay a 0.25% excise tax on a federal level. Every employee involved in taking wagers incurs another $50 fee.

Who Oversees Sports Betting in Montana?

The Montana Lottery oversees sports betting in the state by operating the only online and retail sports betting system. The Lottery ensures its betting site complies with the rules set out by HB 725, providing a safe and secure system for bettors.

The Lottery partners with Intralot to provide this betting platform and runs tests and checks on its sportsbook to ensure it complies with the law. In addition, it also must ensure its lottery kiosks available across the state are operational.