Montana is a very progressive state. Hence, it’s not surprising that they were one of the first states to offer sports betting.

There are many types of sportsbook options available in Montana. Montana sports betting sites offer everything from horse racing to football and basketball games and other major events like the Olympics or World Cup soccer matches. Are sports betting legal in Montana? Learn more about Montana sports betting below:

Yes, betting on sports online is legal for residents of Montana. This came with the passing of Senate Bill H275, which was signed into law in May 2019. These bills amended the state’s gaming code and allowed for the licensing of online casinos and poker rooms within the state. The law does not specifically address sports betting. However, lawmakers stated that they intended to allow it under the new rules.

Montana’s gambling laws allow for several forms of online gambling, including poker, bingo, keno, lotteries (including scratch-off games), and casino games played against a computer or with other players in real-time.

The state does not regulate sports betting; it simply allows people to place bets with licensed operators out of state if they wish to do so. There are no background checks required for those who work at these sites or who manage them remotely from Montana’s borders.

Best online sports betting sites in Montana

You can find the best online sportsbook sites in Montana right here:

DraftKings Montana

DraftKings is a leading sports betting site that offers various games and prizes. Moreover, it offers sports betting to residents of Montana. The games offered by this site include NFL, NBA, MLB, and NASCAR.

DraftKings is one of the most popular sites in the world today. It boasts over a decade of experience in the gambling industry, having launched in 2012. In 2012, DraftKings merged with FanDuel to form one company called DraftKings Sportsbook LLC. The latter provided online sports betting services to players across the globe.

The website offers several contests, including 50/50s, head-to-heads, double-ups, and more. You can also play in tournaments where you can win huge prizes by placing first or second place overall in these events.

The website offers free sign-up. Therefore, you don’t have to pay anything to register on their website and start playing in their contests.

Tipico Montana

Tipico Montana is a popular place to bet on sports, especially if you are from Montana, having launched in 2004. The site is available in English, Spanish, and German, and it offers both live betting and mobile betting apps. This makes it a great option for those who travel or have busy schedules.

The site offers an extensive menu of sports, including soccer, basketball, tennis, golf, and more. There is also an extensive list of leagues that you can bet on. This includes the Premier League in England and La Liga in Spain.

Tipico is a highly reputable bookmaker with years of experience in the industry. The company is licensed by the Government of Gibraltar. It operates under strict regulations designed to protect players’ money. Also, it maintains fair play across all bets placed on its platform.

Sports Bet Montana

Sports Bet Montana is a leading online sportsbook located in Montana. This online sports betting site is active and offers sports betting online to anyone in the US. Montana licenses them, and they offer a wide variety of wagers on all major sporting events. They also have various promotions available to their players, including free bets, reload bonuses, and more.

Sports Bet Montana offers a wide range of different bets that you can make with them. You can bet on just about any type of sport that you want to, including football, basketball, baseball, hockey, and even horse races. Their variety of wagers is extensive enough that you will be able to find something that fits your specific needs.

The site has an easy-to-use interface that allows you to place bets on your favorite teams without any hassle at all. You can place your bets on multiple games at once with just a few clicks on your mouse. Sports Bet Montana offers some competitive bonuses for new players.

Additionally, the site offers fast payouts without any restrictions or fees attached to them. The company also runs an affiliate program that allows users to earn money by referring new customers to the site.

BetRivers Montana

BetRivers is a well-known and highly trusted sportsbook. The site offers a wide range of sporting events, including football, baseball, basketball, hockey, soccer, etc. With BetRivers, you can place wagers on your favorite team or player to win the game. You can also bet on the point spread or money line.

If you are looking for more than just sports betting, BetRivers also offers casino games such as slots, blackjack, and roulette. There is even an online poker room where you can test your skills against other players worldwide.

BetRivers accepts customers from all 50 states plus Washington DC and Canada. Account-holders enjoy quick payouts that are processed within 24 hours during business days.

Caesars Montana

Caesars Montana is an online sports betting site based in Montana. The site offers a wide range of sports betting options and is licensed in Montana. Caesars Montana is one of the most popular online sportsbooks available to US citizens. While the company does not offer wagering in every sport, it does provide a wide range of options for those who want to bet on their favorite teams and players.

The site has been around for several years and continues to establish itself as one of the most popular online sportsbooks in its industry. It offers users a variety of bonuses, promotions, and contests. Users also have access to live chat support 24/7 and email support during business hours.

Unibet Montana

Unibet is one of the world’s biggest online gambling sites. They are licensed and regulated by the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA). Unibet is a member of the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA). Hence, it means they are committed to protecting your privacy and security. They also have an excellent reputation for customer service and support.

Unibet has been operating since 2001, thus making it one of the oldest sportsbooks on the internet. They offer a wide variety of betting markets with odds from top bookmakers worldwide. You can place bets on a huge range of sports at Unibet, including football, tennis, horse racing, golf, etc.

Unibet offers three different types of accounts: Basic Account, Silver Account, and Gold Account. The basic account is free to register but has some restrictions, such as limited deposit options and withdrawal limits. Silver account holders get access to better odds on some markets and no withdrawal limits or fees when using Skrill or Neteller as payment methods. Gold account holders get everything that silver account holders do and access weekly sports betting tips from professional tipsters.

A brief history of online sports betting in MT

The state of Montana has a long history with legal sports betting. It was the first state to legalize sports gambling back in 1993. This made it one of the first states to offer full-scale online sports betting.

However, Montana did not go the way of Nevada and other states to offer a full-fledged online sportsbook. Instead, the state chose to offer its version of parlay cards. These are similar to what you see in Las Vegas and Atlantic City but in miniature form. The parlay cards were sold at convenience stores and gas stations throughout the state and were very popular among residents due to their convenience and ease of use.

In 1999, however, Montana lawmakers passed SB 163, which effectively banned all forms of gambling except for charitable bingo games run by churches and nonprofit organizations (such as cancer research foundations). This meant that all parlay cards had to be removed from convenience stores across the state by December 31st, 1999, or else they would face prosecution for operating an illegal gaming business.

The situation began to change in 2012 when lawmakers made an effort to legalize and regulate sports betting in Montana. These efforts were largely unsuccessful. However, they did lead to some changes that make it easier for residents to place wagers at out-of-state casinos or online.

In Montana, online sports betting became legal in 2019 after signing the bill H275. Furthermore, sports betting then officially launched a year later in 2020. It became the first state to legalize both online and retail sports betting.

Retail sports betting locations in MT

For sports betting, Montana has only one location. The state’s lone sportsbook is at the Lucky Eagle Casino in Rochester.

The casino was the first to offer sports betting in Montana. It remains the only place you can legally make a wager on any major professional sports league.

Montana’s sports betting laws are fairly restrictive. You can only bet on the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NCAA football games, with no parlay opportunities. Moreover, it features a maximum wager for each game. However, you can make multiple bets on different teams within a single game (but not both sides of the spread).

In addition to professional sports, daily horse racing and greyhound races are available at Lucky Eagle Casino.

Online sports betting revenue in Montana

The state of Montana legalized sports betting in 2021. The first year of revenue was estimated at $1.3 billion.

Montana has a population of 1.1 million people, which means that each person spends $98 on sports betting. This is a higher figure than other states like New Jersey and Nevada, which had estimated per capita spending of $60 and $55, respectively.

This revenue came from online betting sites like DraftKings Sportsbook and FanDuel Sportsbook. These sites have been operating in the state since 2022 and offer a wide variety of bets on major sporting events like the Super Bowl and World Cup.

There are no brick-and-mortar sportsbooks in Montana yet, but that may change soon as several casino chains are interested in opening casinos in Montana’s capital city, Billings.

Do I pay taxes on winnings from sports betting in MT?

Yes, you will be taxed on your gambling winnings if they are considered “income” by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Gambling income falls under the “other income”. However, you can report your gambling losses as a deduction to offset these earnings.

The IRS defines gambling income as any money you win or lose while playing games of chance, such as slot machines, poker, bingo, and horse racing. It also includes casino games like blackjack and roulette.

The IRS doesn’t recognize wagers on sporting events or contests like the World Cup or an NHL game as gambling income since there’s no element of chance involved in those situations.

FAQ

What is the legal age for online sports betting in MT?

The legal age for online sports betting in Montana is 18. It is also illegal for any person to employ or permit anyone under 21 to gamble on their behalf. Moreover, you need to operate within the state lines.

Who regulates online sports betting in MT?

The Montana Justice Department is responsible for regulating gambling within the state. The board oversees all gaming licenses and makes sure that casinos and other establishments operate according to their license agreements.

Are there any sports you can’t bet on in MT?

The only sport that is not allowed to bet on in Montana is college football. This means that you can bet on professional football, basketball, baseball, hockey, and soccer matches. However, if you want to bet on college football games, you will need to find a bookmaker outside of Montana or join an offshore sportsbook.