Montana Gambling & Gaming Laws (2026)
A comprehensive legal reference for gambling & gaming in the state of Montana. This guide covers current statutes, penalties, and restrictions for 6 different categories.
Daily Fantasy Sports
ILLEGALDaily Fantasy Sports are not legal in Montana. Montana legalized fantasy sports in 2019, giving the state lottery a monopoly.
DFS Rules
Illegal or not authorized
Licensed Operators
Platforms do not operate
Penalties
Varies; may be treated as illegal gambling.
Minimum Age
N/A
Gambling Age
LEGALThe minimum gambling age in Montana is 18 for most forms of gambling including lottery and some casino games. State law permits gambling at age 18 for certain forms (lottery, bingo, pari-mutuel).
Casino Minimum Age
18+ for most gambling; 21+ at some venues
Lottery/Other Gambling Age
Legal
Penalties
Underage gambling is a misdemeanor.
Minimum Gambling Age
18+
Online Casinos & Poker
RESTRICTEDMontana allows online poker through licensed operators under the Montana Interactive Gambling Act (Mont. Code Ann. § 23-5-1501 et seq.) but does not permit online casino gambling. Only poker is authorized online.
Online Casino Rules
Possession of licensed online poker software is legal; online casino software possession is illegal.
Licensed Platforms
Sale or operation of online poker platforms requires a license from the Montana Department of Justice.
Penalties
Unlicensed operation or participation can result in misdemeanor or felony charges.
Minimum Age
18+ for online poker.
Online Gambling / Sports Betting
RESTRICTEDMontana allows limited forms of sports betting through licensed tribal casinos and the state lottery but does not permit online sports betting statewide. Montana Code Annotated § 23-5-110 prohibits unauthorized online gambling. Some tribal compacts allow limited online betting within tribal lands.
Online Gambling Rules
Possession of online gambling software outside licensed tribal casinos is illegal.
Licensed Operators
Sale or operation of online gambling platforms requires tribal or state authorization.
Penalties
Violations can result in misdemeanor charges with fines and imprisonment.
Minimum Age
18 years old for tribal casinos, 21 for other gambling
Poker Home Games
LEGALSocial poker home games are legal in Montana as long as no one takes a rake or house cut from the pot. Montana banned all forms of online gambling in October 2025.
Home Game Rules
Legal for social games without a rake
Rake/House Cut Rules
N/A
Penalties
Taking a rake converts it to illegal gambling.
Age Requirements
Varies, typically 18+
Sports Betting
LEGALSports betting is legal in Montana. No significant changes since the launch in 2020.
In-Person Betting
Legal for 18+. Montana launched sports betting in March 2020 through the Montana Lottery's Sports Bet Montana platform. Unique model: betting is available at licensed bars, restaurants, and taverns through self-service kiosks. No major commercial operators — the state lottery operates the system through a contract with Intralot.
Online/Mobile Betting
Available at licensed establishments (bars, restaurants, taverns) through lottery kiosks. Mobile betting available within licensed establishments only (not statewide mobile). Limited bet types and lower maximum wagers than commercial markets.
Penalties
Unlicensed gambling operations face criminal charges. Individual bettors using licensed platforms face no penalties.
Minimum Betting Age
18+