Is Sports Betting Legal in Montana?
Here you can stay up to date on the latest Montana gambling laws and find the best sportsbooks available in Montana! Sports betting was legalized nationwide in 2018 after the Supreme Court ruling, and Montana soon followed by launching its own regulated market. Today, bettors in Montana can sign up at online sportsbooks like the ones we recommend below!
Top 5 Montana Sportsbooks
After a thorough review process, we’ve selected the best sportsbooks in Montana. Below you’ll find our top recommended sportsbooks available to Montana bettors!
Bovada
Bovada is one of the most recognized names in the industry and consistently ranks among the best sportsbooks across the US. It’s also a top choice for Montana bettors!
BetOnline
We recommend BetOnline for more than just its 50% welcome bonus worth up to $250 — it also stands out for its generous reload promotions.
Sportbetting.ag
SportsBetting.ag offers an excellent refer-a-friend promotion. When your friend claims their sign-up bonus, you’ll also earn 50% of their first deposit, up to $100.
MyBookie
MyBookie has great seasonal promotions. This means they are always coming up with creative ways to keep us entertained. Here you will not get bored by any means
XBet
XBet is a great mobile sports betting platform. Montana bettors who will be accessing their sportsbooks mainly from their smartphones will be in good hands here!
Legal Sportsbooks in Montana
Sports betting has been legal in Montana since 2019, with the first wagers placed in March 2020. All betting is run through the state-operated Sports Bet Montana under the Montana Lottery. While the app allows you to register, deposit, and prepare bets, all wagers must be placed inside licensed retail locations, meaning there is still no true statewide mobile betting experience. Because of these restrictions, the sportsbooks we recommend — licensed offshore — remain the most accessible and feature-rich way to bet online in Montana.
| Sportsbook | Available in Montana |
| FanDuel | ❌ |
| DraftKings | ❌ |
| Caesars | ❌ |
| BetRivers | ❌ |
| BetMGM | ❌ |
| Fanatics | ❌ |
| Unibet | ❌ |
Montana Quick Facts
Here’s a quick overview of everything you need to know about sports betting in Montana. Legal since 2019, the state runs a single-operator system through the Montana Lottery. While mobile betting is isn’t available, it’s restricted to licensed retail locations, meaning you still have to be on-site to place a wager. From legal limitations to mobile access, this summary covers the essentials for Montana sports bettors.
| State | Montana |
| Sports Betting Law Passed | Yes ✔️ ' |
| Launch Date | March 9th 2020 |
| Minimum Gambling Age | 18 ✔️ |
| Online Sports Betting | No ❌ |
| Mobile Sports Betting | No ❌ |
| Retail Sportsbooks | Yes ✔️ |
| Tribal Casinos | Yes ✔️ |
| Daily Fantasy Sports | No ❌ |
| Online Casinos | No ❌ |
| Horse Racing | Yes ✔️ |
| Dog Racing | No ❌ |
| Esports Betting | No ❌ |
Montana’s Betting Landscape – Legal, but Still Limited
Montana legalized sports betting in 2019, but instead of opening the market to competition, the state created a monopoly system operated by the Montana Lottery under the name Sports Bet Montana. While that may sound convenient, the reality is far from it. Even mobile betting is geofenced — you can only place fully legal bets when you’re physically inside a licensed retail venue. For bettors used to full online access, this setup feels outdated and unnecessarily restrictive.
Why Montana Bettors Are Choosing Offshore Sportsbooks
The state-run system may offer the basics, but it lacks the features and flexibility many bettors now expect. That’s why so many in Montana are turning to offshore sportsbooks. These platforms aren’t bound by local location rules, and they consistently deliver better odds, faster payouts, and more betting variety.
What Offshore Sportsbooks Do Better Than Montana’s Legal Option
Here’s why Montana bettors are opting for offshore sites:
- True Mobile Access – Bet from home, a bar, or the backcountry — no need to stand in a licensed bar to place a wager.
- Competitive Lines – Offshore books don’t operate under government pricing, so you’ll often find sharper odds and higher limits.
- Wider Betting Markets – Legal options in Montana don’t cover the vast markets offshore bookmakers do.
- Faster, Easier Payouts – Get paid in crypto or via other fast methods without long waits or complicated withdrawal processes.
- No App Hassles – No downloads, no registration delays, and no forced geolocation — offshore platforms are built for ease and privacy.
Montana’s Regulated Betting — The Drawbacks
Even though betting is legal, Montana’s model is one of the most restricted in the country:
- Only One Legal Operator – Sports Bet Montana has no competition, so odds and promos are usually weaker than in open markets.
- No True Online Betting – Mobile betting only works inside licensed locations like bars and restaurants.
- Limited Betting Menu – Certain bet types and events (like local college games) are off-limits.
- Low Betting Limits – Maximum bets are often capped, making it less appealing for high-stakes bettors.
- No Crypto or Advanced Payment Options – You’re stuck with old-school payment methods, with no privacy-focused alternatives.
Who Can Bet in Montana?
To place a legal sports bet in Montana under the current system:
- Minimum Age: 18 years old
- Location Rule: You must be physically inside a licensed Sports Bet Montana location
- Residency: No requirement — visitors can legally place bets in-state
- Prohibited Participants: League insiders, officials, and those on gambling exclusion lists
Bottom Line: Offshore Sportsbooks Deliver What Montana Doesn’t
Montana’s state-run betting system is legal, but it’s limited in scope, outdated in functionality, and lacking in choice. Offshore sportsbooks solve all of that — offering a full-featured, mobile-first, and flexible betting experience that legal options in the state just can’t match. If you want to bet without barriers, the offshore sites we recommend remain your best option.
Montana Sports Betting – Recent Updates
- November 29, 2025 – Montana’s sports betting remains restricted to licensed retail venues as of December 2025 — the state-run system still does not allow online or mobile wagering from private devices.
- November 6, 2025 – Montana legislators are weighing whether to let tribal casinos launch their own mobile wagering apps, a move that would break the state’s current monopoly model and bring more competition to bettors. A bill could surface in 2026.
- October 2, 2025 – Montana’s sports betting handle for September topped $8.1 million, boosted by the return of NFL and college football. Despite steady growth, operators remain limited to the Sports Bet Montana platform at geofenced lottery retailers, with no progress on proposals to allow statewide mobile betting.
- July 28, 2025: Montana’s sports betting remains limited to in-person wagers at over 2,000 licensed lottery retailers. The Sports Bet Montana platform, operated by the state lottery, allows mobile betting only within these authorized locations. The state has not expanded to online or mobile betting outside these geofenced areas.
- May 27, 2025 – Montana became the first state to ban sweepstakes gambling with the passage of SB 555, drawing criticism from the SPGA over vague language that could impact traditional rewards programs.
Four Reasons to Bet on These Montana Online Betting Sites
Our Montana sportsbook reviews take many criteria into account. Here are some of the most important ones, always with special attention to the needs of bettors in Montana!
Available to Montana Bettors
Of course, the most important factor when evaluating Montana sportsbooks is ensuring they are easily available for Montana bettors. We handle the background research so you can confidently trust the sportsbooks we recommend here!
Sports Betting Markets
Our recommended Montana sportsbooks will all have extensive sports betting markets. We know that collegiate sports are more important to many Monatan bettors, so these get special attention in our reviews.
Banking Options
Having the right banking options is essential. We do not want to have to create a whole new financial account just for this one site. Our recommendations accept a wide arrange of deposit options including Visa, Mastercard, and Bitcoin.
Fresh Odds
We evaluate odds quality very strictly. We want them to be timely and competitive. This factor says a lot about the competence of the sportsbook.
Casinos in Montana
Montana boasts a diverse gaming landscape. In addition to its ten tribal casinos, which offer slot machines, blackjack, craps, and roulette, the state features more than 100 state-licensed electronic gaming venues, including popular video poker options.
While most of Montana’s casinos tend to be smaller in scale, standout venues like Gray Wolf Peak Casino shatter that norm. As the largest casino in Montana, it embodies a state-of-the-art gaming destination—with the latest machines, frequent events, a golf simulator, and more.
Additionally, many bettors enjoy casino games via online sportsbook platforms. Below is a complete and current list of all recognized tribal casinos operating in the state:
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Apsaalooke Nights Casino
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Charging Horse Casino & Bingo
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Fort Belknap Casino
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Glacier Peaks Casino
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Gray Wolf Peak Casino
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KwaTaqNuk Casino Resort
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Little Big Horn Casino
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Northern Winz Casino
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Northern Winz II Casino
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Silver Wolf Casino

Montana Sports Betting Timeline
2025
Montana sports betting reached new highs in 2025, with the state lottery reporting a 44% increase in gross gaming revenue during the first half of the year, totaling about $4.7 million. June alone produced roughly $763,000 in revenue from a $4.98 million handle, while July 2025 set a new monthly record, with handle climbing 26% year-over-year to $3.7 million. These numbers show that, despite Montana’s limited retail-only model, wagering activity continues to grow steadily across the state.
2024
Sports betting in Montana expanded significantly in 2024, as bettors wagered around $66.5 million statewide, generating $7.19 million in gross gaming revenue and contributing just over $610,000 in tax revenue. The year was not without hiccups—October 2024 saw sportsbooks post a rare net loss of about $26,900, despite healthy betting activity. However, the market bounced back quickly: November’s handle topped $7.4 million, up more than 7% year-over-year, while revenue surged 122% to $1.5 million, underscoring strong momentum heading into 2025.
2023
Montana’s sports betting soared, with over 500 locations handling $59.1 million—up from $45 million in 2022 and $42.7 million in 2021. The goal, set by Iverson, is to reach $100 million in the next two years. From 2021 to June 2023, total sports betting amounted to $146.7 million, paying out $126.8 million to bettors and contributing $6 million to state coffers.
2020
Sports betting took off in Montana-licensed sportsbooks in March. Over 100 small retail establishments and the website Sports Bet Montana began taking sports bets. Montana was an outlier in that it allowed mobile betting only inside licensed locations. This was good news during the height of the coronavirus pandemic when getting to physical casinos was impossible and even more undesirable for many. The state has ben enjoying revenue from sports betting ever since.
2019
It did not take long for Montana to make the most out of the opportunity opened up by the Supreme Court decision Murphy v. National Collegiate Athletic Association. In May, Governor Steve Bullock signed the sports betting legalization bill, HB 725. This vested the state lottery with control of sports betting.
2018
The Supreme Court struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), which limited which states could participate in sports betting. After this decision, each and every state could decide for itself if it wanted to regulate sportsbooks. The fight for sports betting legalization in Montana thus begins! Little did we know that in just two years, Montana would be handing out licenses to retail and online sportsbooks.
Responsible Gaming in Montana
Montana does not offer state-sponsored problem gambling resources, but several organizations provide valuable support for individuals facing gambling-related challenges:
- National Gambling Problem Helpline: Call 1-800-GAMBLER for confidential support available 24/7.
- Montana Problem Gambling Helpline: Reach out at 888-900-9979 for assistance specific to the state.
- Montana Council on Problem Gambling: This organization offers education, resources, and support. Contact them at PO Box 606, Helena, MT 59624, or call 406-438-1276.
These resources ensure help is available to those in need, fostering awareness and support for responsible gambling practices in Montana.
Montana Sports Betting FAQ
Find answers to common questions bettors like you have when researching which sportsbook to join.
Yes, sports betting is legal in Montana, but only through the state-run Sports Bet Montana, operated by the Montana Lottery. Legal wagers must be placed inside licensed retail locations, even if using the official mobile app, which limits true statewide online access.
Because of these restrictions, many Montana bettors turn to licensed offshore sportsbooks, which offer broader markets, better odds, and the convenience of betting from anywhere.
ChatGPT said:
Yes, gambling is legal in Montana in several forms, including tribal casinos, state-licensed electronic gaming machines, poker, bingo, and the state-run Sports Bet Montana sportsbook. However, online casinos and daily fantasy sports remain illegal, and sports betting is restricted to wagers placed inside licensed retail locations.
We recommend several sportsbooks on this page. Check out Bovada, XBet, or MyBookie.
The official legal gambling age in Montana is 18, however, many casinos will restrict access to 21-year-olds as they serve alcohol.
There are over 100 small locations throughout Montana. You can also use the online sportsbooks we recommend on this site.

Best Betting Sites 