Who is this article suitable for? - All Montana gambling fans!
This article is for anyone in Montana who wants to place a wager on sports, from long-time betting enthusiasts to first-time bettors. We will have a look at the legal landscape of Montana online betting, with an eye on future legislation that may impact sports gambling.
We will then jump back to the present and look at some hints and tips for modern-day sports betting. Then we’ll team up with Captain Gambling to find out what he bases his ratings on and how the Captain Gambling site recommends the right sports book for residents of Montana.
The legal history of sports betting in Montana - All you need to know
Many people ask is sports betting legal in Montana? Up until 2019, the answer was no. It wasn’t until June 2019 that the bill authorizing sports wagering through the Lottery was passed, though many other bills relating to Montana sports betting either failed or were vetoed by the governor. It followed on from a U.S. Supreme Court ruling the previous year that the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) was unconstitutional. This opened the door to sports betting being legalized in several states across the US.
Prior to these rulings, all forms of gambling had been illegal in Montana’s since its original constitution was drawn up in 1889. By 1910, gambling was deemed illegal across all western US states. There was a brief resurgence before and after World War II, led by the newly-invented slot machines, which bypassed the law by being designated “trade stimulators.” Their prominence was short-lived, and in 1950, the Montana Supreme Court ruled these machines illegal. In the same year, citizens of Montana voted on it, and almost 80% of votes cast denied the measure to legalize gambling in the state.
In 1973, Montana passed the Card Game, Bingo, Raffles and Sports Pool Act, which made those charitable types of games legal across the state. Throughout the 1980s, this stance started to wane with the gradual introduction of video poker slots and keno games. In 1986, the Montana lottery was approved by voters.
By the early 1990s, gambling was on the increase across America, driven by changes to both federal and state law. In Montana, there were small increases in the amounts that people could spend and win on gambling machines, but no dramatic shift in overall policy. Sports fans would have to wait another two decades before Montana sports betting was allowed.
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Five tips for a secure and fair gambling experience in Montana - Keep these in mind
In order to make sure that any online Montana sports betting activity is taking place on a secure site, check that your chosen sportsbook is using a secure and encrypted connection. This is achieved through a security protocol known as Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), with most sites using 128-bit or 256-bit encryption to keep your personal and payment data secure.
Your sportsbook of choice will likely tell you what type of security protocols are in place in the FAQ section of their site. You can also check the address bar of Montana sports betting providers to see if there is a padlock symbol and the address begins ‘https’ – the ‘s’ stands for secure.
Which operators and license providers are they registered with?
The regulatory body in charge of overseeing sports gambling will depend on your location. Montana sports betting is currently regulated by the Montana Lottery through its app, Sports Bet Montana, along with horse racing. All other gambling activities are regulated by the Department of Justice and its Gambling Control Division.
Reviews (professional and user)
One of the key ways to check if a sportsbook site is legitimate and fair is to read reviews. Professional reviews by gambling sites will often cover the various features that a Montana sports betting site offers to ensure you are gambling in a safe environment. While these are useful for painting a general picture, it is also worth reading user reviews and social media comments for detailed insight into the mechanics and customer service side of the sportsbook.
Check how easy it is to contact the sportsbook
Hopefully you will have a smooth Montana sports betting experience and not have reason to contact the sportsbook customer service advisors. However, should something crop up where you need to raise an issue, you want to be reassured that your query will be dealt with quickly, especially if it's relating to something like money transfers. Before you sign up to a sportsbook, see what contact information they have and if there are alternative options. In case one fails.
Reading over the terms and conditions
It can be incredibly dull, but there terms and conditions are there to inform you of your rights as a customer. It is always worthwhile reading over the T&Cs of any Montana sports betting site that you are using or thinking of signing up to see what rights you have in certain situations.
What do we look for when evaluating operators for Montana residents? - Our criteria
When we review Montana sports betting at Captain Gambling, we put them through rigorous testing to see if they are worthy of your time and money. Our superhero experts look at a number of criteria, including:
Usability
How does the site or app look and feel? Is it easy and intuitive to use?
Bonus offers
Does the sportsbook offer any bonus or free bets? If so, how do you claim them, and what are the chances of you seeing a return?
Customer service
What contact methods are there? How quick do we get replies to queries we’ve submitted?
Payment methods
What sort of payment methods are on offer? What are the timescales for deposits and withdrawals? Does it take advantage of digital wallets?
Rewards and loyalty programs
Does the sportsbook offer any reward or loyalty schemes that you can sign up for? How many tiers are there and what are the requirements to reach them?
Other betting activities
Is the sportsbook affiliated with a betting brand where you can gamble on casino games? If so, is there an incentive for using the same brand for both?
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Finding the right operator for you - Options to consider
Choosing the right sportsbook is not a case of which site does it best or which app offers the biggest bonuses. It’s about finding an operator that caters to your unique betting style. Here are a few requirements to consider when choosing a Montana sports betting brand.
Different types of sports and events
While most Montana sports betting apps will cover a good cross-section of sporting events, you may have a focus on a particular league or sporting activity that is not listed by all of them, so it’s always best to check which activities you can wager on.
Live streaming
With the rise of smartphones and super-fast internet speeds, live streaming has become more and more popular, but not all sportsbooks offer it. If this is a must-have for you, make sure the operator offers regular live streaming of the sport of your choice.
Night owls
If your betting takes place out with standard business hours, check if the sportsbook offer 24/7 help and support.
VIP
If you spend a significant amount on sports betting, do you want to receive VIP perks for your loyalty? If so, make sure the sportsbook offers a reward or incentive scheme.
Conclusion - Get the latest news on Montana sports betting here!
Montana sports betting is relatively new and is still finding its legs. While sports betting options are limited to the Montana Lottery app, Sports Bet Montana, we expect to see more and more sites and apps appear that will offer Montana sports betting options. When they do, Captain Gambling will review them with our X-ray vision and offer a fair assessment of the pros and cons of each operator.
Keep your eyes peeled on Captain Gambling and our sports betting reviews for further updates on Montana sports betting law and new sportsbooks operating in the state. We’ve even covered sports betting in Arizona as well as betting online in Pennsylvania - so check them out if they apply to you!
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Montana Sports Betting FAQ
🏟️ Can I bet on sports in Montana?
Yes, sports betting is now legal in the state of Montana, although there are still some restrictions. Unlike most gambling activities, which are overseen by the state's Gambling Control Division, any Montana sports betting activity is currently run by the Montana Lottery. It has an app for sports betting, while there are other operators you can use specifically for horse betting. For betting in person, you can visit one of several casinos in the state that carry a sports betting license. Check out the latest news here at Captain Gambling for updates on Monata sports betting.
❓ Where can I bet on sports in Montana?
Montana sports betting law allows players to bet in person at locations that carry a Montana Lottery sports license. This is not restricted to casinos, and can include bars, hotels and restaurants as well. Permitted locations can have sports kiosks installed that you can use while a guest or customer at these establishments. To find out more about the latest rules and regulations surrounding online betting in Montana, be sure to keep up to date with our sports reviews here at CaptainGambling.
⚽ Can I bet on esports in Montana?
At the time of writing, betting on esports is not permitted in Montana. Although the laws around sports betting have recently changed following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in 2018, esports are excluded because they do not currently qualify as a professional sport under law. Esports popularity continues to grow, with $14 billion spent on esport gambling in 2020. To see which providers currently allow esports gambling, check out the news here at Captain Gambling.
🏈 Can I bet on fantasy sports in Montana?
Unlike legal sports betting in New Jersey, Montana’s gaming laws are unique in America as they single out online fantasy sports as a prohibited activity over the telephone or the internet. Daily fantasy sports providers must restrict Montana residents from taking part in real money games. However, daily fantasy sports players still have a few options to play in Montana. To find out more about these options, see Captain Gambling’s Daily Fantasy player notes.
❔ Does Montana have a major league sports team?
Montana has no professional sports teams, largely in part due to how its population is spread across the state. However, the state does have numerous minor league sports teams Check out Captain Gambling’s sports reviews to see which sportsbooks offer odds on minor leagues - as well as any fantastic online betting promotions they might have up for grabs.
