Captain Gambling is the gambling superhero that Montana needs right now. We gather the best Montana sports betting sites in one place, allowing you to easily compare bookmakers, with an overall rating to see which one is best for you.
Not only that, but our comparison view lets you weigh up which sportsbook has the best bonus on offer, as well as what type of payments they accept. Captain Gambling also offers hints and tips about what makes a good sports betting site in America, looking at the app technology, sports coverage and whether the odds add up.
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.
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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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:
How does the site or app look and feel? Is it easy and intuitive to use?
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?
What contact methods are there? How quick do we get replies to queries we’ve submitted?
What sort of payment methods are on offer? What are the timescales for deposits and withdrawals? Does it take advantage of digital wallets or cryptocurrency?
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?
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?
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.
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.
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.
If your betting takes place out with standard business hours, check if the sportsbook offer 24/7 help and support.
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.
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!
