07 November 2026
Montana lawmakers advanced a bill that would expand mobile sports betting options in the state, while retaining the rights of tribal gaming operations under existing compacts.
The bill, which passed the state House of Representatives on a 58-42 vote, would allow mobile sports wagering throughout the state, not just within the licensed retail locations currently required. The move comes nearly three years after Montana became the ninth state in the nation to legalize sports betting.
How the Bill Expands Access
Under current Montana law, sports wagering includes any wager made "in-person or over the internet through websites and on mobile devices." However, in practice, mobile wagering is only permitted within the premises of a licensed location, such as a casino or sports bar.
The new bill would remove that restriction, allowing residents to place wagers anywhere in the state using mobile devices, not only when physically located at an authorized retail location. Specifically, the bill expands eligible retail locations to include restaurants and convenience stores, besides existing casinos and sports venues.
When asked about the change, a spokesperson for the Montana Lottery said, "The bill would modernize our offering, recognizing the convenience and popularity of mobile betting in today's market."
The Gaming Control Division would still oversee the following:
- Licensing the mobile platforms
- Verifying the age and location of the user
- Ensuring responsible gaming and tax compliance
Montana's Current Sports Betting Landscape
Since 2019, sports betting in Montana has been available through the Montana Lottery, with an 18+ age limit. Currently, only residents physically present at a licensed sports betting location can use the official app. Licensed venues include bars, taverns, restaurants, gambling casinos, cottages, and hotels that have received approval from the Montana Lottery Sports Betting Division.
To date, 12 statewide mobile betting licensees have activated their platforms, alongside 10 casinos. Mobile sports was the overwhelming majority of handle in Q2 of 2023, with revenue figures published by the regulator's gaming division showing $220 million in sports wagers. The state's sports betting growing revenue has not gone unnoticed - $33 million in taxes additionally bolster fiscal 2022's fiscal achievements.
Under 2019 laws, Montana's sportsbook industry prohibited sports betting on college events occurring in-state. The authorized sportsbook currently in operation consists of the Montana Sports Betting Kiosk, where you can place a bet on all your favorite sports.
Impact on Tribal Gaming
The proposed expansion has the support of some tribal gaming interests in the state, notably the Fort Peck Reservation. In 2025, the Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation received approval to offer in-person sports betting at the Silver Wolf Casino in Wolf Point.
Tribal gaming is an integral part of Montana's gaming landscape. A 2025 gaming fact sheet from the American Gaming Association noted that tribal gaming agencies may offer sports betting under tribal-state compacts, while the Montana Department of Justice Gambling Control Division assists with compliance. According to a spokesperson for the Associated Tribes of Montana, "This modernizes our operations, attracting new tribal members and increasing tourism."
However, other tribal gaming interests have expressed reservations about the bill, arguing that allowing statewide mobile bets might undermine their floor traffic. The spokesperson for the Fort Peck tribes concurred that tribal leaders are keeping a close eye on the bill's progress as it heads to a Senate committee, and tribal boost to Montana remains top of mind - past environmental litigation providing a reminder of the delicate balance that must be maintained.
Political Backdrop and Next Steps
The push for expanded mobile sports betting comes in the wake of a 2019 legislative battle that pitted the state-run model preferred by Gov. Steve Bullock against a private-operator model vetoed by the then-governor. After a months-long impasse, the Bullock-backed HB 725 emerged as a compromise that limited mobile sports betting to licensed retail locations.
That compromise held through subsequent legislative sessions, including a 2025 effort to rework Montana's rules. When asked about his veto, Bullock stated his longstanding position against it - "the state-run model has been effective, and we have a regimen in place to ensure on-site safety for all." As a result, a 2025 bill on sports betting died in the process, and a 2026 search produced no new regular-session statewide changes.
With the bill's passage in the House, the eyes are on the Senate as it begins debate. A spokesperson for the Montana Sports Betting Operators Association commented, "We're encouraged by the vote and believe the time is ripe to expand our offering, while a Senate aide stated future progress depends on the tribes and legislators finding common ground. Gaming control officials are watching closely, stating standardization across multi-entity offerings must be maintained, while public participation upchears favor towards expansion.
As a coordinate, it is yet unclear how the Senate will finally shape the bill. Expect to see it get sent to a legislative committee that will further lay the groundwork for an opening to the public and private sector positions. Gaming control officials are watching closely, with a vote yet expected in the House.