Bill H275, which effectively legalized sports betting in Montana, was signed into law in May 2019. The law became operational in March 2020, effectively allowing sports betting companies to set up operations in the state. As a result, Montana joined the legal sports betting states in America. At the onset, only Sports Bet Montana was the only legal bookmaker in the state.
At the time of writing this review, the Montana State sports betting industry is slowly picking momentum and is sparingly available online. A notable sportsbook and online sports betting app currently available are only Sports Bet, Montana. Other options in the treasure state are mostly for horse racing apps and betting sites hence do not qualify as a fully-fledged sportsbook. Many more sportsbooks and betting apps are expected to launch in Montana soon. On the betting site/app, punters can place bets on different sports such as soccer, NFL, MLB, NHL, and several others. You can also bet on horseracing, motor racing, golf, and cycling.
Best Montana Sports Betting Sites
Joining a sportsbook in Montana is now a click away. However, for the moment punters should choose the best Montana sports betting app or sportsbook such as Sports Bet Montana.
The Latest Updates on Montana Sports Betting
Since Montana became the ninth US state to legalize sports betting, a lot had happened and more Is expected in the coming weeks. Looking back, the legalization of sports betting, albeit, on a limited scale, is a huge step forward in tapping the huge potential of an industry that is generating billions of revenue annually. We have rounded up the latest Montana sports betting updates below to help you get started.
- Given its low population of 1.08 million compared to other US states, Montana is currently regarded as the smallest market for sports betting and will unlikely top the charts soon. However, since the launching of Sports Bet Montana, the states witnessed an upsurge in bettors joining different sportsbooks.
- The largest sports betting amount in Montana was in January 2021 when punters wagered a total of $5, 799, 090. In that month, the betting gross revenue hit $5, 742,008.
- The sports betting revenue in Montana continued to rise in 2021. The year closed with a total of $4, 920, 000 in betting wagers recorded in December 2021.
- In 2021, reported Montana betting wagers dropped below $3 million only once in July.
- There are at least 100 licensed betting shops in Montana today. And they offer betting services on Behalf of Sports Bet Montana. The sportsbook is operated by Intralot, with direct permission of the state lottery department.
- By December 2021, Montana sports bettors wagered a total of $46 million, which is a higher value compared to the $18 million wagered in the previous year. In 2021, sports betting revenue in Montana was $9 million.
- Sports betting retail shops in Montana currently receive 6% of the total wagers. In 2021, the 100 betting shops at the time generated revenue of $2.7 million.
- Currently, punters are allowed a maximum of $250 at sports betting shops and $1,000 in $1,000 websites.
- At the time of writing this Sports Betting Montana review, the state does not have a professional sports team. The good news is that punters can still wager on Montana State Bobcats and Montana Grizzlies, two of the top football divisions in the state.
- Fantasy sports betting is currently unavailable in Montana, which effectively prevents FanDuel and Draftkings from launching their operations. However, you can still wager on daily fantasy games offered by Montana Lottery.
Is online sports betting legal in Montana?
The answer to the question of is sports betting is legal in Montana is yes! it is legal to participate to undertake online sports betting in Montana. A law that came into force in May 2019 effectively legalizing Montana online sports betting in March 2022 has seen several bookmakers launch their operations in the state of Montana.
Intralot is Montana’s legal supplier of Lottery services The body is mandated with conducting both offline and online betting in Montana. The sports betting law in Montana was written by Governor Steve Bullock. The state government, through the Department of Justice, regulates all betting activities in Montana.
Where to bet on sports in Montana
Punters in Montana can now place bets online with Sports Bet Montana. However, you must be physically present at betting shops operated by the bookmaker in more than 100 locations. While online betting in Montana is fast-picking momentum, there is a long way to go for MT sports betting. It could take years for online betting in Montana to be at par with states such as New Jersey and Virginia. Find out more on betting in New Jersey and Virginia.
Punters can also visit casinos offering sports betting across the state. The fact that you must be physically present at a bookmaker’s office or shop presents a case of being unable to place bets online. However, you can register with a bookmaker online, fund the account and even withdraw earnings from anywhere in the state.
Sports Bet Montana: The Only Online sportsbook available in Montana
Sports Bet Montana offers convenient betting services via their website and through a mobile app designed for both iOS and Android devices. Currently, NFL and NBA are the most popular sports on the betting site. You can also place bets on hockey, soccer, golf, tennis, boxing, MMA, cycling, NASCAR, cricket, and many other sports.
Moreover, features bet are also available on the platform on the winter Olympics, parlays, props, and more. Note the bookie is operated by Intralot, the official and legal provider of gambling services in Montana. At the bottom of the Sports Bet Montana website, you can find various locations you can visit to place your bet. Pre-gaming betting is the most popular on Sports Betting Montana.
However, you must visit any of the various betting shops in the state to place your bet on any featured events. In this category, there are equally lots of betting markets to choose from. For example, soccer fans can start by picking a league. Let’s say, you are a fan of the English Premier League. So, visit the soccer section and pick PL from the options and then available sports. Now, let’s pick a game such as Newcastle vs Everton. Popular betting markets in this sport include a 3way Moneyline bet, both teams to score, total goals, spread, first-half winner, and more.
Futures are another popular betting market on Sports Bet Montana. Note that only selected events are featured in this section. At the time of writing this Montana sports betting preview, Europa League, Eredivisie, FA Cup, Coupe de France, EFL Cup, World Cup, MLS, and DFB Pokal. Other sporting events in the futures category include Primeira League and Club World Cup. From the above, it is clear that mostly Cup fixtures are available for features betting on the Sports Bet Montana website or app. If you opt for features bet, you can place a bet on Europa league winner and team to reach round 16.
Which are the legal online sports betting apps in Montana?
Apart from visiting the only available betting site in Montana currently-Sports Bet Montana, the next question that comes to mind is can punters access the platform via an app? Also, are there any other sports betting apps in Montana? The truth is betting in Montana is still a monopoly controlled by Montana Lottery that is operated by Intralot. As a result, the Sports Bet Montana app is the only app currently available for exclusive sports betting.
However, you can only log in and fund your account via the app. You can only place bets using the app in specific geo-fenced locations within the state or betting sports.
Online Sports Betting Sites that could soon come to Montana
Since legal sports betting came to force in Montana, a lot continues to happen. The above betting legal betting sites/apps have only marked the beginning of the betting revolution in Montana. More sites/apps are expected to launch soon and they include:
Bet365
While Bet365 is currently available in only New Jersey, it is expected to launch its operations in other states such as Montana. It is specially made possible by the legalization of sports betting in Montana which has seen several bookies establish offices in the state. Bet365 is not only one of the most popular sportsbooks in the world today but also the safest and most trusted brand. Bet365 is also known for several promotions on its platforms, which will be good news for the budding Montana betting industry.
TheScore
The score is another bookmaker that currently operates in many US states and is expected to launch operations in Montana pretty soon. Currently, the betting site is accessible via browse or mobile app in states such as New Jersey, Iowa, Indiana, and Colorado.
Other things you should know about online sports betting sites in Montana
Signing up with a sports betting site in Montana is only one of the many things punters should do. Once you have an account with the said bookies, the next steps involve finding out what the bookies have to offer such as welcome bonuses and betting markets. You should always place bets with a licensed bookmaker to avoid any troubles.
Opening a new sports betting account at Montana
To register with a sportsbook in Montana, there are requirements that punters must meet. For example, you must be located in the US to sign up with Sports Bet Montana. But when it comes to placing bets, current gambling laws require punters to be physically present in betting shops or agent locations. The legal gambling age in Montana is 18+ years. Moreover, players can register via a mobile app or through a betting site. The betting sites will verify your age through KYC documents.
What kind of welcome bonus can you get with a Montana sports betting operator?
Different bookies in Montana have varying offers to customers. From the information we gathered before writing this review, we noted that the welcome generous are both generous and competitive. To a punter looking to register with a sportsbook with the best bonus in Montana, we recommend Sports Book, Montana.
The bookie gives new players bonuses on horse racing events and parlays. Sports Bet Montana is especially popular with Parlay boost because it features several events. Caesars sportsbook bonus for players in Montana is also noteworthy. For example, Caesar’s sportsbook gives new customers up to $1,250 on Caesars + 1000 Tier Credits + 1000 Reward Credits®. They also give a weekly profit boost to punters.
Brick-and-Mortar Casinos where you can place sports
Apart from betting apps and sites, Montana punters can also visit more than 300 locations to place their bets with retail sportsbooks. Retail sportsbooks are operated by different betting companies and the aim is to get their services closer to people while the law restricting online betting from anywhere remains enforced. Happy Endings casino in Anaconda is a notable brick-and-mortar casino where you can place sports bets in Montana. Others include Atlantis casino in Billings, Grand Plaza casino in Butte, Black Gold Casino in Bainville, Big John’s casino located in Great Falls, and Wolfpoint’s Lucky Lil’s casino.
Betting on the most popular Montana sports
If you reside in Montana, there are several sports on which to place a wager. Let’s review some of them below.
NFL betting in Montana
In Montana, punters can only wager on NCCA events. For example on the Sports Bet Montana website, you can place a bet on Liberty flames to beat Bellamine Knights or any other available event. Moreover, pre-game and in-game betting is available for basketball events in Montana. Point spread, team points, totals, and halves are very popular betting markets for this sport.
NBA betting in Montana
Fans of basketball can also place bets on NBA events. The US NBA is popular in this category. World Series, National League, and American league are notable NBA events. In NBA betting, consider wagering on league winners, a player with the most runs, a player with the most hits, and many other markets.
MLB betting in Montana
MLB betting is another popular sport among bettors in Montana. Features betting is a particularly popular market. However, MLB betting is not as exhaustive as NFL. At the time of writing this review, MLB World Series, American league, national league, player to score the most runs and many other betting options are available for bettors on most Montana sports betting sites. Other notable MLB betting markets include a player to hit the most home runs and pitcher to record the most strikeouts.
NHL betting in Montana
Hockey games are also available to Montana punters on popular betting sites in the state. NHL, for example, features several games and markets. At the international level, Montana bettors can now place bets on NHL Olympics. The money line bet is very popular in this sport but you can explore others such as spreads, periods, team props, and several others.
Soccer betting in Montana
You can place bets on EPL, Mexico’s Primera, Serie A, Bundesliga, Ligue 1, and international events such as the Africa Cup of Nations with a sportsbook in Montana. Sports Bet Montana features tens of soccer leagues and you can wager on match winner, total goals, player to score anytime, draw, half-time result, and other markets.
History of Montana Sports Betting
Through the enactment of bill H275 in May 2019, Sports betting is now legal in Montana. A lot happened before that, some of which triggered legal battles in courts. Only lottery gaming was available to residents of Montana under protracted laws. In 1972, operators were only allowed to offer betting opportunities in bingo, sports pool, and card games.
Fourteen years later in 1986, a referendum result favored the establishment of The Montana Lottery. However, things took a turn for the worst when PASPA trashed the acts legalizing the aforementioned, effectively rendering sports betting illegal. An update to the PASPA directive was made in 2005, further dimming the hopes of bettors in Montana.
But when the US Supreme Court ruling declared PASPA unconstitutional in 2018, it meant the state was once again ripe for a new era of sports betting. The ruling became a lifeline to USA states in the quest for legalized gambling. And while Montana only legalized sports betting in May 2019 through a vote in the state assembly, it was already an ongoing activity in several states such as NJ. Notably, sports betting in Montana were officially launched in March 2020, which explains the existence of only a few bookies in the state.
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