Sports Betting In Montana
Sports betting in Montana has been a staple for state residents for decades. However, despite being originally exempted fr om the federal PASPA sports betting ban, MT gambling venues and retailers never offered more than a glorified sports tab product that proved unpopular with consumers in the long run. That was until recently. There are now dozens upon dozens of venues scattered across the state that offer sports betting at lottery terminals. But, the odds offered are sup par and online sports betting with overseas-based operators is still much more convenient. These Internet-based sites still accept MT residents to this day, and if you live in Big Sky Country, you are breaking no laws whatsoever using these overseas services.
That said, sports betting is legal in Montana, as the state was the first of 2019 to legalize the pastime. On May 3, 2019, Gov. Steve Bullock signed MT HB 725 into law, authorizing the Montana Lottery to administer sports wagering services to all bettors aged 18 and older. Another bill, SB 330, was passed allowing sports wagering at physical MT properties, but that was vetoed by the governor with a promise to revisit expanded sports wagering within two years, should the market prove amenable to the competition that private sportsbooks would bring. SB 25, a bill to expand various tribal gaming amusements and reinvigorate tavern-based sports pull tabs and sports pools, was also passed, so MT’s thriving tavern industry won’t be completely left in the lurch going forward.
Does Montana Have Legal Land-Based Sports Gambling?
Yes, legal land-based sports gambling in Montana does exist and it can be found across the state. The only venues that are allowed to offer MT sports betting are bars, taverns, and restaurants. Pretty much anywhere that also has a liquor license. Sports betting in Montana was thought to help these businesses bring in a new clientele. They feature sports betting terminals regulated and distributed by the state lottery but there is only one odds provider. Because there is only one odds provider, they are are able to get away with charging a high price for popular odds. Lines that would normally have -110 odds instead have them at -130 or worse -150. Online sportsbooks that accept MT residents offer much better return on bets.
Is Online Sports Betting Legal In Montana?
Yes! Hosted by the Montana Lottery, online sports wagering in Montana can be accessed if you are located inside a licensed establishment. However, once you leave that establishment you will be unable to use the state-regulated sports betting app or website. Online sportsbooks based overseas don’t have to adhere to this rule, and neither do users of these sites. The new laws did not criminalize the use of offshore sports betting sites. These latter options remain extremely popular in the state, and if the MT Lottery intends to win customers back from the likes of Bovada, SportsBetting, and other top sites, they certainly have their work cut out for them. However, we recommend that to cover all your bases and really maximize your winning potential, you should use both the in-state lotto sportsbook and a selection of reputable offshore books. Shopping lines is the biggest edge any sports bettor can have, after all.
Which Sports Betting Sites Accept Montana Residents?
You have plenty of options when it comes to picking a gambling website that accepts MT residents. In addition to the Montana Lottery’s sportsbook, you can use any number of Internet-based offshore solutions. The challenge, however, is finding an offshore betting website that is reliable, easy to use, and completely safe to play on. Any site you pick should also have convenient payment methods, attentive customer service, and a broad selection of sports leagues to bet on. And obviously, you should only stick to the tried-and-true brands. If an online, overseas sportsbook has been around for a decade or two, their reputation has kept them afloat. Sites like those listed here fit the bill, and you won’t go wrong joining any or all of them.
Facts About Legal Online Sports Betting In Montana
- Montana has one of the smallest betting populations in the country.
- Montana bettors only have to be 18 years old to put money down on a sports matchup.
- Betting on sports over the Internet is legal in Montana.
- Unlike Las Vegas books, Montana online sports betting sites offer bettors huge sign-up bonuses.
Bovada Sportsbook - Place Bets Anywhere In Montana + $250 Welcome Bonus!
Any Montana resident looking for a high-quality online betting site needs to check out the Bovada sportsbook, the #1 online sportsbook that welcomes Montana players. This online bookmaker has got it all, with multiple wager types and odds and lines to choose from. No matter what your taste in sports or wagering, you will never feel at a loss when betting at Bovada.
Known for their variety of sports, including baseball and football (American + European) and even sports like MMA and cricket, Bovada definitely has something for the most rabid MT sports fan. If you are a sports fanatic, too, you won’t find another site quite like Bovada. Even better, though, is if you’re also a betting ace. At Bovada, you can view multiple odds, from fractional to American, and the site will never slouch on the lines available, either. With everything from simple wagers on the spread to futures and proposition wagers for players and teams, Bovada has literally thousands of different bets available each and every day. MT residents who sign up with Bovada now can also score up to $250 in free plays!
SportsBetting's Sportsbook - Tons Of Betting Lines For All Sports
Montana-accepted sports betting sites are gaining more and more players every day, and one of the preferred sites for those who demand more for their money is SportsBetting. SportsBetting offers great perks for joining, and it is so easy to sign up that you won’t find a reason not to! Unless you just don’t like sports wagering, that is. As long as you meet the minimum age requirement of 18 years old for sports betting in Montana, SportsBetting is a surefire destination for all your wagering needs.
Registration at SportsBetting simply requires you to share a few simple things like your email address, phone number, and name. The process is completely free, and once you enter your information, you just need to verify your email, which will take about 2 minutes in all. Afterward, you can immediately start depositing, and you there is no reason not to right away, with their 50% match bonus giving you up to $1,000 back on your first deposit (promo code “SB1000”). And that’s just the first of the site’s many promotional deals available to Montana members!
BetOnline Sportsbook - One Of The Top Sportsbooks On The Planet
BetOnline is one of the biggest names in online betting, and Montana residents at least 18 years of age or older are welcome to use every function of the site, including its award-winning online sportsbook. Providing service to the state since the early 2000s, BetOnline is one of the most well-known sites amongst players from Bozeman to Glasgow. BetOnline’s popularity is likely to do with the fact that out of all the major sites in the US, BetOnline is known for having some of the easiest deposit options.
Users have multiple ways to deposit - take the quick route with credit cards or Bitcoin, or maybe have it slow and steady with checks, wire transfers, or money orders. These latter options are popular in MT and are available through well-known companies like Western Union and MoneyGram. However, as in other states, cryptocurrency is taking over for the fastest deposits and payouts. All deposits to BetOnline are credited within an hour of their receipt, and any problems that arise can be solved by their dedicated help center. New MT members can even get up to $1000 in free-plays by using the promo code BOL1000 when making their first transaction with the site.
Top Montana Sports Betting Sites
Other Types Of Gambling Available In Montana
Like other states in the area, tribal gambling in Montana is a big industry. The state’s seven federally-recognized Native American tribes own and operate casinos throughout the state and provide visitors with table games, slots, and electronic alternatives. Five tribes even operate full Vegas-style Class III casinos. However, it is unlikely that Montana will bring any commercial gambling to the state, largely due to nearby competition.
Other than these tribal casinos, in-state residents can play the lottery or visit a local bingo hall. Online gambling and sports betting is still an option, of course.
Does Montana Allow Pari-Mutuel Betting?
Montana has a few horse racing events that show up during state fairs and other events, though Yellowstone Downs in Billings is the closest thing you will find to a proper Thoroughbred racing venue. Besides that, you would have to go to a sports betting website to bet on live racing.
Does Montana Have Legal Land Based Sports Betting?
Yes and there are plenty of venues in which you can find sports betting terminals. Bars, restaurants, and taverns scattered across Big Sky Country feature these terminals. The only issue is that there is only one odds provider for all of these terminals. Intralot runs these machines, and because they have the monopoly on them, they often charge higher prices than in a normal competitive market.
How Old Do I Have To Be To Bet Sports Online In Montana?
Interestingly enough, should you choose to bet on sports online in Montana, you only need to be 18 years old. This is the lowest sports betting age that you will find the US, with only a handful of other states allowing residents to start betting this early. The majority of online sportsbooks also start accepting players at this age, so will have no issue joining any of the top online sports betting sites.
What Teams Can I Bet On In Montana?
Considering the remoteness and sheer size of Montana, it is no surprise that there are no professional sports teams in the state. That does not mean that there are no teams to bet on, of course, as sports enthusiasts in Montana wager on various teams in neighboring states, as well as on their favorite local and regional NCAA teams. With the location of the state, you will find an eclectic mix of sports fans that tend to favor Washington sports teams. Below are some of the most popular teams that Montana residents regularly bet on:
College and Pro Sports Teams:
- Montana Grizzlies
- Montana State Bobcats
- MSU Billings Yellow Jackets
- Seattle Seahawks
- Seattle Mariners
- Portland Trailblazers
Best Deposit Options For Large Wagers!
Using an online sportsbook with reliable banking options is a top priority for all sports bettors. For high rollers, there is even more pressure to find the best deposit options for large wagers. Luckily, the sportsbooks we recommend all have options for high stakes bettors. Across all sports betting sites, the two deposit methods that work best for high rollers are bank wire transfers and checks. A bank wire is when you send funds straight from your bank account to the online sportsbook. It is very convenient, and you will also be able to deposit the largest sums of money. Online sportsbooks such as SportsBetting have no limit on the amount you can deposit with a bank wire transfer. After your bank processes the request, the sportsbook cashier will apply the funds to your account within 1-3 business days. You may incur a small charge from your bank in order to make the transfer, but it is usually nominal.
Checks are one of the longest-standing deposit methods at online sportsbooks. With checks, you can send up to $15,000 or more at a time. Your sportsbook will provide you with their address, and you can send the funds via FedEx, UPS, or DHL. Depending on the delivery speed, your funds can be credited to your account within 4-5 business days on average. There is no fee for depositing a check, and you can even speak with customer service about having your limit increased once you establish your reputation as a bettor in good standing. High rollers have plenty of options when it comes to banking with a high-limit online sportsbook. (You can also deposit via Bitcoin or various other cryptocurrencies, and some books allow super-high limits of up to $25,000 via these avenues. However, most high rollers do not yet use Bitcoin for sports wagering, and it will be a while before crypto catches on as the preferred method for big spenders.)
Why Was My Credit Card Declined At Bovada?
It is never a pleasant experience when your card gets declined at an online sportsbook, but this will happen occasionally. In explaining why this happens, we should first note that it is not the online sportsbook declining your payment. Your bank or card issuer is actually blocking the transaction due to certain federal laws. The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 (UIGEA) is a law enacted by the US Congress that prohibits all US financial institutions from knowingly accepting transactions related to online gambling.
Credit card systems undergo the most thorough checks, which is why bettors encounter problems more frequently when using this method. That being said, offshore online sportsbooks like Bovada are aware of the issue, and that is why they offer a variety of alternative deposit methods. They also work with various financial processors to increase their credit card success rates, which means that your card could work in an hour or so, even if it was previously declined. You also have the option of using a different card before you decide to use a completely different funding method for sports betting in Montana.