Montana online casinos operate in an unregulated gaming environment. Big Sky Country has some breathtaking landscapes, plenty good people and epic mountain ranges. When it comes to gambling the state has a long and vivid history, peppered with periods of restriction, indeed with some periods where almost all forms of wagering were illegal.
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In the modern era, Montana controls and regulates a wide range of gambling forms, and while there are no state-licensed casinos, there are a number of tribal ventures as well as a good spread of other activities controlled by the state legislature, including charity gaming, bingo, poker, a state lottery, horseracing, raffles, fantasy sports and a range of local games such as shake-a-day and fishing derbies. With the right license, a venue may provide an interesting variety of gambling forms to the public.
Montana Gambling Law Timeline
The government provides their own historic timeline of the key changes to gambling law which have taken place over the years, which really kicked off with the Hickey Act of 1937 legislating for various forms of table game. If you’re more after the cultural details, the Montana Gaming Group has a nice summary of the state’s history when it comes to gambling. This document details the early forms of wagering, which were a part of the tribal people’s customs, the arrival of poker alongside the Gold Rush, as well as the modern history of gambling in Montana.
The state has its share of poker professionals, including one Ian Gordon who took down the 2010 HORSE WSOP event for a sweet $611,666 payday. Outlasting 240 other players to take down the $10k event, the young pro was delighted with his score.
The best known name in the poker world to be claimed by Montana as one of their own was actually born in California, but raised in Montana, and goes by the folksy but memorable name of Huck Seed. Huck took down the WSOP main event in 1996, but has a slew of other wins, as can be readily seen from his impressive live poker CV as listed on the Hendon Mob database.
Strict Gaming Laws
As in many a state, chance, consideration and prize are the elements required to qualify a game as gambling, and therefore any game which is free to enter is legal to play in the state. Many forms of gambling are licensed for, but any gambling participated in which is not regulated by the state (unless it take place in a tribal gambling context) qualifies as an illegal act under state law and is subject to prosecution.
Numerous specific exemptions exist under the law, which will be briefly reviewed here.
First of all, certain popular mini-games in the state are tolerated. While dice games are generally not allowed, a game called shake-a-day is permitted. In this game, customers attending a bar shake some dice similar to poker dice, and pay a small fee of around 50 cents, for a chance to hit hand combinations which allow them to win a portion of a prize pool built up from the previous payments made.
Fishing derbies in which fishermen compete to catch various sizes and specimens are permitted, as are wagers on predicting natural occurrences in the climate.
Liquor licensed venues can apply to run various low stakes card games, sport pools and electronic gaming, with special restrictions in place concerning frequency of games run, hours of play, and the size of prizes awarded, which cannot exceed $800 per game.
The electronic machines allowed under license are bingo, poker and keno games, with restrictions on prizes awarded, although these may include credits which can be exchanged for cash.
Certain forms of bingo and raffle are also allowed under Montana law, if licensed. In addition, non-profits may run “casino nights” offering otherwise usually illegal gambling variants, provided they adhere to all the rules governing this, including a 12 hour cap on any event which is run.
The state also specifically authorizes certain forms of fantasy sports (a rarity in any state legislation), as well as pari-mutuel wagering on horseracing and a state lottery.
As for penalties, Gaming Law Masters [3] provides some detail on this, along with the details of the statutes themselves. It seems that most offences in Montana related to gambling qualify as misdemeanors, unless they involve fraudulent behavior, in which case they can progress to felony charges. If you’re keen to investigate the law further, the Montana Department of Justice is a good place to start.
Online Gambling: Is It Legal in Montana?
According to the Gaming Law Masters’ document referenced above, there is a specific provision in Montana state law against internet gambling, with any form of gambling prohibited online, including forms which are otherwise legal in the state if played live.
Three exceptions exist according to the GLM document, and these are licensed simulcast wagering, purchase of lottery tickets online and certain events participated in within the class II and III gambling establishments run on tribal land.
A statement emphasizing the illegality of online wagering in Montana was made in a press release by the State Gambling Control Division in 2004, with administrator Gene Huntington stating that “Montanans who use their computers to gamble risk criminal prosecution”.
The possibility of creating further legislation to allow online gambling within the state has crossed the minds of a few folks in the legislature from time to time, although no current proposals exist for this. Back in 2010, the state discussed options for providing fantasy sports wagering online through the state lottery.
For now then, there are no immediate indications that Montana is likely to follow New Jersey, Nevada and Delaware on the road to intra-state gambling any time too soon.
More State Laws
What Forms of Gambling are Legal in Montana?
Montana has a state lottery [6] which has been running since 1986, which runs a range of scratch cards and other tickets.
Pari-mutuel wagering on horseracing is allowed under state law, but precious little seems to go on, with only a few dates in the year listed for races on the official government site [7].
You’ll be able to partake in many a card game, game of bingo or build a fantasy sports league in a ton of venues across the state, since venues are allowed to run games with prize pools of $800 or under for a range of game types, including some electronic gaming. According to this guide [8], the maximum bet in these machines is $2, and the maximum payout is also capped at $800.
You can also play certain types of fantasy sports, and a few local wagering forms such as betting on the weather.
If you’re looking for a more immersive gambling experience, your best bet is going to be the casinos, which are firmly tribal in nature, there being no state licensed casino action in Montana.
Montana’s Legal Casinos and Poker Rooms
The 500 nations’ website keeps a concise listing [9] of the state’s nine tribal casinos, easily perused for contact details and further information. The Indian Gaming Guide may pip them at the post however, listing a total of ten resorts. The majority of these just run a hundred or so slots, some keno, bingo, perhaps a little video poker, nothing huge.
The Glacier does run a poker room, with a few different games running through the week, but poker games are precious thin on the ground otherwise. One friendly blogger offers us a guide to the games going off in Billings, Montana with six venues mentioned. These must be pretty small venues since most don’t have their own website, and caution is advised of any player to check the legality of games carefully before attending venues. The legality will depend on licensing, limits and other factors.
One adamant Twoplustwo-er insists that you don’t attend games at one venue in Great Falls, although most of the other posters in the thread troll the poster and argue that it sounds great! Best judge for yourself.
Ask around and you can surely find any number of local games given the legal room for it. One Great Falls poker room has its own Facebook page, to give you an idea of the type of place we’re talking about.
An annual bootcamp run by Doyle Brunson’s son Todd Brunson was held in Montana recently at the Marina Cay Resort outside off Flathead Lake. The bootcamp offered tournaments and satellites of its own connected to the WPT.
Recent Developments in Legalizing Online Gambling in the State of Montana
House Bill 141 was signed into law in March 2013 [11], raising payout limits for live card games up from $300 to $800, so expect a lot more local action in liquor licensed venues across the state. Venues may obtain licenses to run a fixed number of tournaments per week as well. The hope is that this will breathe new life into the state’s poker scene.
Busts and Arrests
A couple from Washington is facing felony charges [12] after trying to pass fake money at a casino in Montana. The pair is also charged with forgery according to a September 2013 report from Billings Gazette.
An FBI and US Secret Service raid took place in Billings in August 2012, culminating in the arrest of a man who stands to be prosecuted for running an illegal online gambling business, as part of a wider international operation.
In sadder news [13], a mother was arrested in August 2012 for leaving her child in a baking hot car while gambling inside a casino in Bozeman.
Summary
If you’re looking to get your game on in Big Sky Country, your options exist but they aren’t exactly the best in the States.
There are no state licensed casinos, but a fair few modest sized tribal casinos do exist which generally offer slots, bingo, keno and video gaming.
There’s a state lottery, a little bit of pari-mutuel horseracing, and certain local games are tolerated such as shake-a-day (a poker dice daily roll in some venues), wagers on the weather and fantasy sports. You might be lucky and catch a charity “casino night” as well.
Some kinds of video gambling and certain card games are allowed in liquor licensed venues in Montana, provided that certain conditions are met and that table limits (recently raised to $800 in prizes awarded per game) are observed.
So while not the most thriving scene, there’s a bunch of stuff allowed, and it’s especially nice to see a healthy casual poker scene populating the drinking establishments of Montana. When you’ve had enough of all that action, you can just go gaze at the big sky.
Sources for this article
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- GamingLawMasters.com: Montana
- BillingsGazette.com: Washington Couple Charged with Trying to Pass Fake Bills in Montana
- KAJ18.com: MT Woman Aressted for Leaving Child Inside Hot Car While Gambling
Updated 11/19/20
Montana has seen massive increases in confirmed COVID-19 cases, and state and local directives have been issued to address developing situation.
Here’s a guide to what’s open, closed or restricted in Montana as of November 17, 2020.
Gatherings: Public gatherings, unless exempted, are limited to 25 people when social distancing cannot occur. Gatherings of any size should continue practicing physical distancing. Vulnerable individuals are still encouraged to follow stay-at-home guidance.
According to a Nov. 17 directive from the governor, ‘Montanans are urged in the strongest terms to limit their involvement in any in-person gatherings of 15 or more people — including private gatherings inside a home. Such gatherings are a significant contributor to the spread of the virus. Montanans are urged to practice social distancing in any gathering of any size outside their own household.’
Masks: Under a directive in effect beginning Nov. 20, face coverings are required in all indoor spaces open to the public.
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A face covering is defined as ‘a fabric, paper, or disposable face covering that covers the nose and mouth and which does not have an exhalation valve.’ The term includes face shields. It also contains a list of exceptions that applies to both rules.
Businesses can remain open but must adhere to physical distancing. That applies to places of assembly such as live music venues and bowling alleys, which are now reopened with reduced capacities. These places are to avoid gatherings of more than 50 people.
Under a Nov. 17 directive, restaurants, bars, breweries, distilleries and casinos must operate at 50 percent capacity and close no later than 10 p.m.
Employers should continue encouraging tele-work. If it’s not feasible, they should follow Phase 1 guidance. That includes accommodating alternate work schedules, closing common areas and minimizing non-essential business travel. Special accommodations should be made for members of a vulnerable population, or for those living with such individuals.
Tourists are allowed in the state: The travel quarantine for non-work-related arrivals expired June 1. However, the Montana National Guard is still authorized to assess travelers in airports and train depots.
The state’s tourism communities are undergoing a robust public health plan, including the Community Snapshot Testing Initiative establishing testing sites in tourism hot spots.
Bullock issued a directive allowing visitors at nursing homes and assisted living facilities, but a series of COVID-19 outbreaks at care facilities prompted a second rule. The July 13th directive required facilities to not only conduct baseline testing before once again accepting visitors, but also required a surveillance testing plan of staff moving forward.
• Child care facilities can increase capacity if physical distancing guidelines can be implemented.
It’s important to note that localities and tribal governments may more stringent restrictions in place. Montanans and travelers alike should be aware of and respect the travel restrictions instituted by each unique tribal governments.
Here’s a list of some additional restrictions by locality:
Blackfeet Reservation: The Blackfeet Tribal Business Council on November 5 extended its COVID-19 stay-at-home order until November 22.
That means all residents on the Blackfeet Reservation are required to “Stay at Home unless engaged in essential activities as follows: — obtain medical services; — obtain food or medicine; — to engage in spiritual, mental, physical and emotional well-being. Only residents of the Blackfeet Reservation are permitted to engage in outdoor activities with members from within the same household or established cohorts as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).’
The Blackfeet Covid-19 Incident Command Facebook page provides the latest update and resources.
Cascade County: The number of people at gatherings and events is capped at 50. Schools, childcare facilities and places of worship are exempt if they can maintain six feet of distance between people. Places of worship are still limited to 75% capacity.
Bars, restaurants, casinos, gyms, movie theaters, and coffee houses are required to limit capacity to 50 percent. These restrictions will remain in place until Cascade County have achieved a rate of 25 infected persons per 100,000 population and have maintained that rate for four weeks.
Crow Reservation: Residents are required ‘to stay near their place of residence as much as possible and maintain social distance.’ Gatherings of more than 50 people are banned if social distancing cannot be maintained. Facemasks are required and a reservation-wide curfew is in place from 9 p.m. until 6 a.m. daily.
The tribe’s Facebook page posts the latest COVID-19 government updates.
Fort Belknap Reservation: On July 13, the Fort Belknap Indian Community Council passed a resolution mandating masks.
Fort Peck Reservation: The Fort Peck and Assiniboine Tribes on September 29 returned to phase 1. That puts non-essential employees, residents and businesses under stay-at-home orders on the Fort Peck reservation and limits gatherings to 10 people or fewer.
The Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Covid-19 Information & Updates Facebook page seems to be the best place for updates on the reservation’s COVID-19 ordinances.
Gallatin County: The Gallatin City-County Board of Health imposed new restrictions November 6 on certain businesses. They include: a 10 p.m. close time for bars, tasting rooms, distilleries, casinos and restaurants. Higher-risk businesses — such as gyms/fitness centers, places of assembly, bars, restaurants, distilleries and casinos are now required to limit the number of patrons to 50% of capacity.
Most physical group gatherings in Gallatin County are now limited to no more than 25 individuals, regardless of the ability to physically distance. This restriction applies to both indoor and outdoor events. The rule revisions include exceptions for certain businesses and organizations where social distancing is most feasible, including houses of worship and certain places of assembly.
Lewis & Clark County: On July 7, the county ordered limits on group sizes and events. Gatherings were restricted to 250 people or fewer, with strict guidelines for smaller groups. The directive is set to expire Dec. 31.
Missoula County: Missoula City-County Health officials imposed new restrictions in late October. Those include capping group sizes at no more than 25 people, restricting local businesses to 50 percent capacity and ending alcohol service at 10 pm. Residents are also asked to stay home as much as possible.
The Missoula City-County health board is also requiring event organizers of gatherings up to 250 people to submit plans 10 days ahead of time. The county says it will accept plans for sporting events with more than 25 people if they comply with NCAA and Big Sky Conference requirements.
Missoula County health officials also suggested that local health orders will stay in place if Governor-elect Greg Gianforte removes Gov. Bullock’s current directives.
Northern Cheyenne Reservation: On October 5 President Rynalea Whiteman Pena of the Northern Cheyenne tribe issued an executive order extending the full lockdown of the reservation. Residents are advised to avoid nonessential daytime travel during the week. Nonessential travel remains completely prohibited under the order during a weeknight curfew, from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., and during the weekend at all hours.
Tribal leadership said the current Stay-At-Home order will remain in place until there are 50 or fewer confirmed active coronavirus cases on the reservation for a full 30 days. The curfew and weekend lockdowns may also be extended until this goal is achieved. The order said the curfew will remain in place until public health officials recommend ending it.
Bureau of Indian Affairs police are enforcing the curfew and lockdown. BIA road checkpoints have been in place on the reservation since August 7.
The Northern Cheyenne Tribal Council Community Broadcasting Network on Facebook page seems to be a good source for updates.
Rocky Boy’s Reservation: The Chippewa Cree Tribe has ordered a lockdown on the Rocky Boy’s Reservation through Oct. 25. With the exception of essential services, the order prohibits all travel outside of homes.
The Chippewa Cree Tribe of Rocky Boy Montana Facebook page provides community and reservation updates.
Silver Bow County: The Butte-Silver Bow Health Department Nov. 11 tightened COVID-19 restrictions on local businesses and gatherings. Businesses are now limited at 50% capacity. Events and gatherings of over 25 people must be reviewed in advance by the health department. Alcohol service at bars and restaurants now must stop at 10 p.m.
Yellowstone County: Yellowstone County’s health mandate limits crowd sizes to 25 people, regardless of ability to social distance, and requires restaurants and bars to close by 12:30 a.m. The county is also expanding on the governor’s order to require that churches and gyms operate at 50 percent capacity and close at 10 p.m. The county is restricting private sports and performance organizations to only practicing with up to 25 people, and forbids games or performances. The order does not impact school sports programs. These mandates are in place through the end of the year.
National Forest lands remain open, but some services are still limited.
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“At this time, the Forest Service continues to remain open and operational, and we are committed to the continuity of our mission. Our primary delivery of public service will occur through virtual means (ie. telephone and online service).”
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The agency also has a COVID-19 FAQ. When campgrounds and developed recreation sites reopen varied between forests, and several still have one or two sites still closed. Follow the links below for more information on specific national forests:
National parks in Montana are following individualized plans, and visitors should come prepared to follow all CDC and local health guidance.
People are asked to follow good hygiene and to social distance. Face coverings are recommended where social distancing is not possible. People who are sick should stay home and not visit the park.
The CDC has provided specific guidance on visiting parks and recreational facilities.
State Parks
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks offices and visitor centers opened June 3 in accordance with Phase 2 of Montana’s phased reopening. As explained in its latest COVID-19 Facebook post:
‘FWP offices have been closed since late March due to Montana’s COVID-19 pandemic response. As the public returns, strict adherence to Phase 2 guidelines will be critical: stay at home if you feel sick, make sure to frequently wash and sanitize your hands, and maintain at least six feet of distance from other people.
FWP front offices around the state will be set up to help facilitate these simple guidelines, including marking floors to help keep people spaced out, providing hand sanitizer for customers, and glass dividers between front counter staff and customers.
Please note that many FWP employees are still working remotely, so for business beyond front desk license purchases and other related information, please plan to reach out to the appropriate staff member directly by phone or email or ask front desk staff for contact information.’
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FWP posts continues to post updates on its ‘COVID-19 Response and Update’ page.
Montana’s COVID-19 website is a regularly updated source for the Montana COVID-19 updates. Find more details on the state’s phased reopening plan here.
You can also find daily COVID-19 updates from MTPR.
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