Montana Sportsbooks + Sports Betting Sites
When you understand that each state provides different laws and regulations about sports betting, it makes following the progress of Montana sportsbooks and sports betting sites even easier. No longer do you have to navigate a series of primers on various overlapping federal and state sports betting prohibitions, as MT legalized sports wagering in May 2019. Legal sports betting is set to be overseen by the Montana Lottery, and is done either via the state-sanctioned app, the online sportsbooks, or the many locations of brick and mortar sports betting in the state.
On this page, we will dive into all of the topics surrounding Montana sports betting, from the current laws to your options to get started betting offshore. We not only provide a detailed overview of the changes to the sports betting industry in the country and state, but we also look into the small details about sportsbooks in general. Quick and dirty overview: there are a lot of brick and mortar sports betting locations, in addition to the online sportsbooks, and Montana also runs a sports betting app called Sports Bet Montana. Be sure to check out our reviewed sportsbooks, too, as promotional codes are included to help you win money before you even get started!
Is it Legal to Bet on Sports in Montana?
When the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) was passed back in 1992, the state was granted the ability to create very limited sports betting opportunities for its residents on a federal level. At the time, it had chosen, instead, to create state laws that prohibit sports betting operators from offering and accepting bets. Once PASPA was repealed by the Supreme Court in May 2018, Montana had a change of heart. The following year, in May 2019, the state decided to legalize sports wagering once again.
On May 3, 2019, Montana became the ninth state in the country to legalize sports betting, as legislators agreed to terms allowing the Montana Lottery to operate a sports wagering product over the Internet. (Land-based betting was also congressionally approved by the MT legislature, but that measure was vetoed by the governor.) As a result, it is now legal to bet on sports in Montana through the state’s online betting platform, though this has yet to launch, and is currently under construction, literally. Montana is currently physically building kiosks through which customers will be able to bet on sports.
Of course, in-state options aren’t the only ones available. Those looking to find the best lines should definitely consider signing up at an offshore betting site or two. Not only are these sites 100% legal, but they generally offer better odds, more betting options, and versatile platforms that can be accessed from anywhere around the country – or world! Since there are several restrictions when it comes to state-run sports betting, be sure to not miss out on any action by signing up with one of the sportsbooks we review below.
Useful Article: Is Online Sports Betting Legal In The U.S.
Will Montana Residents Get into Trouble for Placing Bets Online?
There is only way real way to get into trouble for placing a bet online in Montana – by using a local betting site that is unlicensed. As long as you stick with the licensed operator (the state lottery) for in-state options or stick with legitimate, time-tested offshore bookmakers, you will have nothing to worry about. While you can probably find a local bookie to take your action under the table, this is not recommended. To be clear, you wouldn’t be violating the law in such a transaction, but your black-market bookie is definitely breaking the law to offer you their wagers, and you don’t want to get caught up in that. If you stick with legit sports wagering sites located offshore, though, you’ll never have a single thing to worry about – except, of course, covering the spread.
Where Can Montana Residents Bet Sports Online?
You have a few opportunities to bet on sports online in Montana, and that is by using an offshore betting site or by using the in-state platform that is overseen by the lottery (when it launches). Both of these methods allow for Montana residents to safely and legally get into the action, but you definitely need to be aware of the numerous bookmakers on the Internet that are untrustworthy. So, to keep yourself safe, only trust the sportsbooks reviewed below, as these are 100% reputable operators that look out for their players and are each long-established and highly rated among the sports betting community.
Best Online Sportsbooks That Accept Montana Residents
Bovada Sportsbook – Montana Residents’ Favorite Sportsbook!
Using the system that Bovada has set up is exceptionally easy — and exciting. When you log onto this website, you will be greeted by an appealing design and an interface that fosters the ability to quickly navigate your way to the sportsbook section.
Once you get to the sportsbook, Bovada provides you with a list of the top five betting lines to help you quickly find the day's most popular events. Of course, you will be able to bet on all the games of the day, not only those on the top of the betting boards. Simply choose the game or match you want to wager on, and then place your bet!
In addition to the top five betting lines, the first page of the sportsbook allows you to quickly access highlighted events. These eagerly anticipated showdowns are highly popular, and you will enjoy the experience of betting on them. Bovada is a favorite among players because the website is easy to use and the company has an outstanding reputation. You will have a great time when you join this betting community, and new Montana members who sign up now can get a $250 sports welcome bonus with the industry’s lowest rollover requirement of just 5X.
BetOnline Sportsbook – All Montana Sports Gamblers Welcome Here!
One of the first things that catch players' attention when they log onto BetOnline is the list of major media sources on its homepage. The logos of ESPN, Boston Herald, Yahoo! Sports, CNBC, and USA Today lend this website an air of credibility that it has certainly worked hard for.
The main goal of BetOnline is to create long-term relationships with players. The goal of the organization is to create a community of sports betting enthusiasts who have a great time wagering on their favorite athletic events — among other gambling options. As such, the bookmaker has gone the extra mile in terms of creating a supportive community that players want to engage in.
Aside from sports betting opportunities, members of this community have access to casino-style games and poker, as well as an international pari-mutuel racebook for fans of the ponies.
BetOnline is highly regarded by the online gambling industry. This is a wonderful place to start if you are looking to get involved in sports betting on the World Wide Web, and new members who sign up today can get a 50% deposit match bonus worth up to $1000 in free-plays!
5Dimes Sportsbook – Make Your Own Lines At 5Dimes!
5Dimes is a leading member of the online gambling community because it has such a fine reputation for customer support. Players who join this bookmaker's community receive high-quality customer service that allows them to enjoy virtually every aspect of their experience. But this isn't the only reason why players keep coming back to 5Dimes for their sports betting needs.
The wide range of gambling options available to members of this community is unmatched. 5Dimes offers a diverse sportsbook, casino-style games, a live dealer, mini-games, a racebook, a lottery, poker, and even skill games. The best part of 5Dimes, however, is that their sportsbook allows bettors to set their own lines by “buying points.” Though this feature is available at other books, 5Dimes puts the customization options at the forefront.
When it comes time to deposit money at 5Dimes, members are able to choose from a list of methods, ensuring that they can do so in a manner that is convenient to them. Visa, person-to-person transfers, cashier's checks, money orders, sportsbook transfers, account-to-account transfers, and Bitcoin are all accepted for deposits. Sign up today, and 5Dimes will give you up to $520 in sportsbook free-plays, and all members are eligible for 5Dimes’ invaluable Reduced Juice program.
Bookmaker.eu – Plenty Of Player Props For Montana Bettors
No online sportsbook is perfect, but BookMaker comes pretty close. They offer every sport that you can think of, including the NFL, NBA, MLB, NCAA, and NHL. In addition to the major sports leagues, you can also wager on MMA/UFC, tennis, golf, rugby, surfing, eSports, and other less common markets. The betting options at BookMaker are also quite impressive, with plenty of game lines and alternative lines. The site accepts action on both straight and exotic wagers, including point spreads, totals, parlays, teasers, futures, specials, if-bets, and props.
Proposition bets are those where you can bet on the outcomes of various scenarios, and BookMaker offers more props than anyone else. NFL fans can enjoy plenty of Super Bowl props that include receiving props, QB props, passing props, defense/special teams props, and more. During March Madness, you can bet on how many points or rebounds a player will get or wager on odds that a No. 1 seed will win the NCAA Championship. The list is virtually endless. BookMaker is where you should go when you want the best selection of game, team, and player props, and new players from Montana who join today can get the industry’s only real cash bonus just for signing up!
Best Online Sportsbooks That Accept Montana Residents
| Montana Sports Betting Sites | New U.S. Player Bonus | Go To U.S. Betting Site | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Review | 50% Up To $250 | |
 | Review | 50% Up To $1,000 NEW! | |
 | Review | 50% New Member Bonus! | |
 | Review | 50% Up To $1,000 NEW! | |
 | Review | 100% Up To $300 | |
 | Review | 50% Up To $520 | |
 | Review | 100% Up To $500 NEW! |
Montana Sports Betting Laws
Sports betting in Montana became legal when Governor Bullock signed HB 725 into law. Under this measure, the state lottery regulates the sports betting industry, which is available both through online options. With this law in effect, there is nothing to worry about when it comes to the sports betting laws in Montana unless you plan on using an unregulated bookmaker. We definitely don’t recommend doing this, either. Not only is this dangerous, but it can put both you and your bookie into financial dire straits in a hurry! Stay online, stay legal, and stay happy! Useful Article: Sports Betting Laws in the U.S.A.
Are Online Sportsbooks Accepting Montana Residents Regulated?
This is a two-part question, as there are USA online sportsbooks that are regulated by the state as well as those that are not. When looking to use the online sportsbook that is located in the state and offered by the state lottery, it is indeed a regulated sportsbook. You may come across an opportunity to play the odds with some other online site that is based in the state, but these options are not overseen by the lottery. In this case, they aren’t legal or legit, and you should stay away from them.
Don’t let that stop you from using offshore betting sites that are both legal for Montana residents and not regulated by the state, though. For these options, regulations are sent down from their home countries, which play an important role in the safety and security of your betting habits. All of the sites we review here fit into this category, being safe and legal to use as well as regulated by a non-Montana entity.
Current State Of Online Sports Betting In Montana
While Montana doesn't have a long list of professional sports teams, its residents are certainly involved in betting on their favorite athletic events and popular teams from surrounding states. Now that the lottery operates the industry within the state, you can find betting options on just about any team you follow. However, you’ll get even more odds – and more valuable lines – on those teams when you use offshore sports betting sites. The books that are reviewed on this page are wonderful places to start your search for the perfect bookmaker and odds for your betting style! Once you join one (or multiple) of these websites, you can start figuring out which book is best for you to use. Of course, it’s always a good idea to join multiple books so that you can shop lines to always get the best possible payout on any given wager.
Montana Sports Betting FAQs
Does The Wire Act Make Sports Betting Illegal?
The Wire Act of 1961 does not make sports betting illegal, but it does have implications for gambling businesses. The Wire Act prohibits sports betting businesses from transmitting or receiving interstate wagers via the Internet and other forms of wire communications. It is important to know that the law specifically targets US operators, not those who are placing bets. You can use any online sportsbook, as long as it is offshore or run by the Montana Lottery, and you will not be in violation of the Wire Act.
Can You Make Parlay Bets Online?
You can make parlay bets online at any of the top online sportsbooks. Parlay bets are an excellent way to maximize your profits with substantially larger payoffs. Most sportsbooks will allow anywhere between 2 and 23 bets to be parlayed on a single ticket, though most casual bettors stick to no more than 6 or so. Instead of having to figure out your potential payoff on your own, sportsbooks provide parlay calculators that you can use before you commit to any wager. The same goes for the lottery-based sportsbook available within the state of Montana.
Why You Should Never Chase Losses
We often get asked about common mistakes that sports bettor makes, and chasing losses is at the top of the list. No one wins them all, and some days you will find that your L’s seem to be outweighing your W’s. There will be a temptation to just continue betting in order to start recouping your losses, but this is not a good strategy to have. While you may start winning again in some situations, it is also a very real possibility that you may end up losing even more and run out of money. There is no knowing in advance whether you will have a good or a bad run, and continuing a bad streak is worse than just cutting your losses. Always keep your overall bankroll in mind when placing wagers, and stick to a reasonable limit that you can actually afford to lose.
Why Didn’t Montana Offer Sports Betting When PASPA Was Overturned?
Montana originally had a very limited PASPA exemption to offer sports tabs and sports pools at venues that have liquor licenses. However, this was such a narrow part of sports betting that the legislators wanted to expand into single-game wagering before allowing just a sliver of the sports betting industry. Montana made its sports betting laws official in May of 2019 and can now offer a full-service online sportsbook in the state.
When will Montana legalize sports betting at in-state locations?
Under HB 725, sports betting became legal in the state of Montana, in which bettors can use the Lottery’s online sportsbook to wager. The lottery oversees the industry and will allow you to place wagers whenever you wish via its online app. The lottery may even allow wagers at land-based kiosks in lottery retail locations like convenience stores or bars, but that is yet to be decided. For now, the in-state betting option in MT is online only.
Is online sports betting safe and secure in Montana?
Absolutely. You can safely wager on sports over the Internet in Montana by using a reputable offshore sportsbook or the state-run lottery platform. The top Internet betting sites all use state-of-the-art security and encryption measures and will generally post better lines than you can find at their in-state counterpart. Rest assured knowing your personal information is never sold to any third parties and because these sites don’t require dedicated apps, you are always guaranteed to be using the most updated, secure version of your favorite sportsbook anytime you log on.
What are the most popular teams to bet on in Montana?
Montana doesn’t have any professional teams to speak of, and their NCAA footprint is also small, with the Montana Grizzlies (University of Montana) and the Montana State Bobcats (Montana State University) being the only Division I teams in the state. For pro clubs, MT residents’ allegiances are spread around geographically, as they prefer to wager on the Minnesota Vikings (NFL), the Seattle Mariners (MLB), the Utah Jazz (NBA), and the Colorado Avalanche (NHL).
Can I make private sports bets with my friends in Montana?
Yes. Like most states, private “social” betting is allowed in Montana. The caveat here is that nobody may play the role of the “house” or the “sportsbook.” In other words, as long as nobody is collecting a fee for operating the sports wagering “venue,” there is no crime being committed when friends make wagers between one another. Just make sure that you trust your pals, because there’s no recourse if Jimmy doesn’t want to pay up when he loses that big bet to Steve. So save your friendships and stick to online sportsbooks!
