Montana

What Gambling Is Legal in Montana

Sports Betting in Montana

In this state, sports betting law traces back to HB 725, signed in May 2019. What’s more, the Lottery turned that into Sports Bet Montana, which went live in March 2020. 

You can register and check odds from your phone anywhere in the state. However, placing the real bet still means walking into a licensed venue first.

Montana Online Casinos

Montana online casinos do not exist. The state has never authorized real-money online casino games, so if you're looking for a legal Montana online casino, you're going to come up empty every time.

Daily Fantasy Sports in Montana

Paid daily fantasy sports contests aren't legal here either. 

Montana does run something called Montana Sports Action through the Lottery. Still, that's its own state-run product.

Prediction Markets: A Legal Gray Area

This is where the rules can get confusing, because the legal picture has changed over time. Kalshi and similar prediction markets sites claim that their event contracts are federally regulated derivatives. They don’t mention gambling products. 

They do that because the contracts fall under federal oversight; state gambling laws should not apply to them.

The Montana Online Gambling Division disagrees and sent Kalshi a cease-and-desist in April 2026. Kalshi sued, and a Montana judge actually denied its injunction request on August 27, 2026. Bottom line: the fight is still open, and Montana isn't backing down.

How Old Do You Have to Be to Gamble in Montana

So how old do you have to be to gamble in Montana? The minimum age to gamble here is 18. That's the age for sports betting, the Lottery, and the video gambling machines you'll find in bars and taverns statewide. 

Most states set the minimum age at 21, although Montana has a slightly different rule.

Who Regulates Gambling in Montana

It’s good to know that two agencies handle gambling in Montana. That said, it's easy to mix them up.

The Montana Lottery

The MT Lottery, sitting under the Department of Administration, is only responsible for Sports Bet Montana. 

Namely, it's the only sportsbook the state allows.

The Gambling Control Division

What about the video gambling terminals, card rooms, and now the prediction-markets standoff? It all falls to the Gambling Control Division inside the Department of Justice.

Where to Get Help in Montana

Did gambling start being problematic? Please know that help is always available, and you can call the Montana Council on Problem Gambling at 1-888-900-9979. 

The responsible gambling program is free and confidential, and also staffed around the clock.

Where You Can Bet in Montana

Sportsbooks in Montana

There's just one sportsbook option: Sports Bet Montana, run by the Lottery. No DraftKings or FanDuel, as nothing else works independently in this state.

What Is Not Available Here

No online casino page exists to send you to, because no online casino is legal in Montana. 

The same applies to paid DFS. Anything claiming otherwise isn't operating legally here

Where You Can Bet in Montana

Sportsbooks in Montana

There's really just one option: Sports Bet Montana, run by the Lottery. No DraftKings or FanDuel, as nothing else works independently in this state.

What Is Not Available Here

No online casino page exists to send you to, because no online casino is legal in Montana. The same applies to paid DFS. Anything claiming otherwise isn't operating legally here.

Tax on Gambling Winnings in Montana

Montana State Tax on Winnings

Winnings here count as ordinary income under Montana's tax code. For 2026, that means 4.7% on income up to $47,500 for single filers, and 5.65% above it, thanks to House Bill 337.  That top rate is set to drop again to 5.4% in 2027.

What Gets Withheld and When

Bigger payouts can have state withholding pulled at the time you win, similar to how federal withholding works.  This is general information, and not tax advice. Make sure you check with a professional if your situation is complicated.

General information only; not tax advice.

Pending Montana Gambling Legislation

The 2025 Sweepstakes Ban

Governor Greg Gianforte signed Senate Bill 555 in May 2025, and it took effect that October.  It made Montana the first state to ban sweepstakes casinos outright. And a lot of other states followed with their own versions within the year.

Why Nothing Moves Until 2027

Montana's legislature only meets in odd-numbered years, so 2026 had no regular session.  That means any real update to Montana gambling laws, including how the Kalshi fight eventually gets settled by statute rather than by a judge, won't happen before 2027 at the earliest.

Frequently asked questions

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