Montana Sports
Betting Guide
Your complete guide to legal sports betting in Big Sky Country. Sports Bet Montana is the only legal sportsbook — run by the Montana Lottery with a unique on-premise betting requirement. Learn how it works and start betting responsibly.
Sports Bet Montana
Montana is a truly unique sports betting market — there is only one legal operator, and you cannot place bets from your couch. Sports Bet Montana is run by the Montana Lottery and powered by Intralot, available at over 1,000 bars, taverns, restaurants, and casinos across the state.
Sports Bet Montana
Exclusive State Operator- The ONLY legal sportsbook in Montana
- Operated by the Montana Lottery since March 2020
- Powered by Intralot Orion platform
- Available at 1,000+ retail locations statewide
- Mobile app for account management
- Must be physically on-site to place wagers
- $100,000 max winnings per bet
- $250 retail bet max, $1,000 mobile on-site bet max
How to Bet in Montana
Montana is the only state where you cannot place a mobile bet from home. Here is exactly how the on-premise betting model works.
Find a Retailer
Locate an authorized Sports Bet Montana retailer — bars, taverns, restaurants, convenience stores, and casinos across the state. Use the Montana Lottery website to find locations near you.
Create Your Account
Register via the Sports Bet Montana app or website. You can sign up, deposit, and prepare wagers from home — but not place them.
Visit the Location
Travel to the licensed retailer. The app uses geolocation to verify you are physically on-site before allowing you to confirm any wager.
Place Your Bet
Complete your wager at the kiosk or through the mobile app while on the premises. Wagers are final once placed.
What Can You Bet On?
Sports Bet Montana covers all major professional sports. Montana has no in-state pro teams, so out-of-state wagering dominates.
NFL
No in-state team — Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks draw the most interest in Montana
MLB
No in-state team — regional interest varies. Full MLB coverage at Sports Bet Montana
NBA
No in-state team — Utah Jazz and Denver Nuggets popular among Montana bettors
NHL
No in-state team — hockey popular near Canadian border, full NHL markets available
College Football
Montana Grizzlies and Montana State Bobcats at FCS level — some markets available
College Basketball
Montana Grizzlies and Montana State Bobcats — March Madness betting when they qualify
Rodeo / PBR
Professional Bull Riders and rodeo events — uniquely popular in Big Sky Country
UFC / MMA
Title fights, main cards, round betting, method of victory props
Montana Sports Betting Laws
📜 HB 725 (2019)
Montana legalized sports betting through HB 725, signed by Governor Steve Bullock in May 2019. The law gave the Montana Lottery exclusive control — Bullock vetoed a competing bill (SB 330) that would have allowed commercial operators.
🏛️ State Monopoly Model
Unlike every other legal state, Montana has no private sports betting market. The Montana Lottery is both the regulator and the operator. Intralot provides the technology via its Orion platform under a 7-year contract running through 2032.
📍 On-Premise Betting Rule
The most unusual rule: you can register, deposit, and prepare wagers from anywhere — but you must be physically at a licensed retailer to actually place a bet. Geolocation technology enforces this strictly.
🎓 College Betting
Montana has no formal restrictions on college betting. However, the Montana Grizzlies and Montana State Bobcats play football at the FCS level, so those markets are not always offered. The Montana Lottery declined NCAA requests to ban college player props.
🚫 Strict Online Restrictions
Montana bans almost all other forms of online gambling. DFS is explicitly illegal, online casinos are prohibited, and SB 555 (2025) banned sweepstakes casinos and prediction markets with felony-level penalties.
🔒 Age & Location
Montana has one of the lowest betting age limits in the US at 18+. You must be physically located at a licensed Sports Bet Montana retailer to place wagers. Residency is not required.
Key Timeline
Frequently Asked Questions
Is sports betting legal in Montana?
Yes, but only through Sports Bet Montana — the state-operated sportsbook run by the Montana Lottery. Governor Steve Bullock signed HB 725 in May 2019, and Sports Bet Montana launched in March 2020. There are no private commercial sportsbooks in the state.
Can I bet from home in Montana?
No. This is Montanas most unusual rule: you can download the Sports Bet Montana app, create an account, deposit funds, and prepare your bet slip from home — but you cannot actually place wagers unless you are physically located at a licensed retailer. Geolocation technology enforces this strictly.
How old do I have to be to bet in Montana?
Montana has one of the lowest sports betting age minimums in the country at 18. Most other legal states require 21.
Why are there no sportsbooks like DraftKings or FanDuel?
Montana chose a government-run monopoly model. Governor Bullock signed HB 725 (lottery-operated) and vetoed SB 330 (commercial competition) in 2019, citing a conservative approach. The Montana Lottery has exclusive rights to sports betting through 2032 after Intralot won a new 7-year contract in 2025. DraftKings, FanDuel, and other commercial apps block all Montana users.
Where can I place bets in Montana?
Sports Bet Montana operates at 1,000+ licensed lottery retailers across the state — this includes bars, taverns, restaurants, convenience stores, and casinos. Montana has more retail sports betting locations per capita than almost any other state.
Can I bet on the Montana Grizzlies or Montana State Bobcats?
Sometimes. Montana has no formal restrictions on college betting, but because the Grizzlies and Bobcats play football at the FCS level (second tier), those markets are not always offered by Sports Bet Montana. Basketball and occasional football markets may be available depending on the game.
What are the betting limits?
Sports Bet Montana has the most unique limit structure in the country. Retail kiosks cap wagers at $250, while on-premise mobile app bets allow up to $1,000 per wager. Maximum winnings are capped at $100,000 per bet, and daily withdrawals are limited to $2,000.
What is the tax rate on Montana sports betting?
The Montana Lottery operates sports betting directly, so the typical operator tax model doesnt apply. The state takes roughly 8.5% of adjusted gross revenue as its share of the lottery monopoly. Individual bettors owe federal taxes on winnings over $600.
Is online casino or DFS legal in Montana?
No. Montana is one of the most restrictive states for online gambling. Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) is explicitly illegal — DraftKings and FanDuel block all MT users. Online casinos are also banned. In May 2025, Governor Gianforte signed SB 555 banning sweepstakes casinos, prediction markets, and all unlicensed internet gambling with felony-level penalties.