Montana Sports Betting

Written By Brett Collson | Last Updated at September 26, 2025

The Treasure State became the first state in 2019 to legalize sports betting when Gov. Steve Bullock signed bill H275 into law. Montana became the ninth state with legalized sports betting.

There was actually a second bill, S330, that had reached Bullock’s desk, but he vetoed that measure in the interest of adopting a single-entity sports betting model for the time being. Under H275, the state’s lottery will run the sportsbook operation for the next seven years.

What still needs to happen?

Now that the bill has become law, efforts to reportedly have sports betting running at kiosks in licensed bars and restaurants and on mobile by the start of next NFL season in September will begin in earnest.

Projected Montana sports betting launch date

The plan is to have legal sports betting up and running by the beginning of the 2019 football season in September.

MONTANA SPORTS BETTING FAQ

Is sports betting legal in Montana?

Yes. Sports betting became officially legal in Montana on Friday, May 3, 2019 when Governor Steve Bullock signed H275 into law. The bill designates the state’s lottery as the manager of a state sportsbook for the next seven years and enables licensed bars and restaurants to implement sports betting kiosks. Additionally, the bill allows for mobile betting through the state’s sportsbook as well.

Can I bet online on my phone in Montana?

Not at present, but mobile betting is authorized through the bill just signed into law by Governor Steve Bullock and is expected to be available in time for the start of NFL season in mid-September.

When will sports betting be legal in Montana?

Is any gambling legal in Montana?

Sports betting is officially legal in Montana as of Friday, May 3^rd, 2019, the date Governor Steve Bullock signed bill H275 into law. However, betting kiosks and mobile wagering aren’t expected to be available for several months. Additionally, there are other forms of limited legalized gambling in Montana. Poker, keno, bingo and video line gambling machines are legal, with a maximum $2 bet and $800 payout. Legal live games include raffles, bingo, keno, panguine and shake-a-day. Moreover, sports pools, fantasy sports games and sports tab games are peer-to-peer forms of gaming that are also legal in Montana.

What is the legal gambling age in Montana?

The legal age to gamble in Montana is currently 18.

Is Bovada legal in Montana?

Bovada is an unregulated, offshore sportsbook. As such, it is not legal in Montana or anywhere in the continental United States.