Best Montana Sportsbooks

The Montana sports betting industry has been rather limited, only allowing certain types of wagering. However, after PASPA was overturned in 2018 (the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992), Montana was one of the states excluded from the PASPA Act, which allowed sports betting at restaurants and bars based on a lottery system rather than the usual sportsbook.  

The rule changed on 3 May 2019 with the signing of HB 725 by Democratic Governor Steve Bullock, which legalized single-game sports betting. As part of House Bill 725, the other types of sports betting became legal, including bar and tavern gambling. The state fully embraced the 21st century when sports betting sites were legalized for both mobile and retail platforms.

Two bills were initially presented to Governor Steve Bullock to legalize sports betting in Montana. In the end, he chose to sign into law just one bill and reject the other, SB 330. Under Montana law, the Montana Lottery is the only regulator managing the state’s betting market.

You can currently bet with an offshore sportsbook and any legal sports betting kiosk throughout the state that the Montana Lottery has authorized. There have been many actions with both forms of betting within the short time since sports betting was legalized.

Having established that sports betting is legal in Montana, let’s explore Montana’s different gambling options.

Online Sportsbooks

Although Montana does not allow online sports betting or gambling, players still have the opportunity to wager online. It is illegal to bet on sports online in Montana, unless you gamble using an offshore site that isn’t regulated by the state.

Although it doesn’t bring any financial benefit to the state, it allows users to sign up with safe, regulated, licensed, and trusted platforms through which they can successfully wager on sports. Montana’s gambling laws and regulations don’t apply to offshore sportsbooks that accept Montana residents.

Available Sports To Bet On In Montana

There is a wide range of sports that you can bet on with our list of the best Montana sportsbooks. This includes some of the most popular American sports and more obscure events. The Montana sportsbooks that we have have identified specialize in the following sports:

• NFL Betting Sites
• NBA Betting Sites
• MLB Betting Sites
• NHL Betting Sites
• Soccer Betting Sites
• Tennis Betting Sites
• March Madness Betting Sites
• NCAA Betting Sites
• UFC Betting Sites
• Boxing Betting Sites
• Golf Betting Sites
• Esports Betting Sites

Land-Based Betting

Land-based gambling is, however, permitted in Montana. Bets can only be placed when a player is physically present with an authorized operator. It is best to place bets inside a licensed retailer, either through your mobile or in-person bets. The website and app of Sportsbook comply with physical betting laws. The mobile app and website are only available at authorized land-based retailers.

According to Montana law, sports betting is allowed at any licensed establishment, so you can bet at countless bars and restaurants. Montana currently has over 1,400 establishments where you can place your bets. For physical venues, sports bets are limited to $250 and $1,000.

Types of Bets

Following is a list of the bet types approved by Sports Bet Montana and how they work.

Moneyline

A moneyline bet is a wager on the winning team or player. With Moneyline, you can place a head-to-head bet without a spread. A player simply bets on the winning side.

Under/Over

Also referred to as total bets, the over/under is a wager based on the total score between two teams. A player determines whether the total event score will be higher or lower than the line.

In-Play Bet

It is betting on a sporting event in real-time.

Parlay Bets

A parlay is a bet that combines multiple bets into just one bet. With each successful bet, odds increase. If one bet loses, all of the bets lose.

Propositions Bets

A proposition bet is a wager on a particular outcome of an event independent of its outcome. You can, for example, bet on a hole-in-one occurrence during the Masters’ Golf Tournament.

Spread Bet

The spread or point spread is the difference between the underdog and the favored team.

Future Bet

A future bet refers to a sporting event that will happen in the future, such as which team will win a championship or series.

Rules for Betting on Sports in Montana

It is pretty easy to bet on sports in Montana, with no specific regulations prohibiting any particular type of betting. The Montana Lottery has given Intralot the authority to decide what is available on the site and in the kiosks. There are no professional sports teams in Montana, however, basketball and football are the two most popular sports. The NFL dominates US sports betting.

Montana doesn’t prohibit betting on college sports, but sportsbooks don’t offer many of these markets. There are only a few Division I sports teams in Montana, which are rarely competitive, which is why you won’t find them in sportsbooks. The FBS football betting options are currently listed under futures bets, but betting on individual games isn’t available. The state has not decided on Esports betting, but this kind of competition doesn’t have betting markets.

Montana Offshore Betting

How is it that online sports betting is illegal in Montana, but offshore sports betting is legal? Online betting on sports is prohibited in Montana, but only for platforms located in the state. 

There is, however, some confusion when it comes to online gambling in Montana. It is technically possible for people from Montana to gamble online because no laws prohibit it. Therefore, Montana bettors can bet legally and safely on offshore betting platforms located outside Montana.

Horse Racing

Even though the state does not support full-scale sports betting, several Montana establishments accept horse racing as a gambling activity, with some exceptions to the rules. Several websites in Montana offer horse racing bets at physical betting venues. Additionally, many offshore websites offer horse racing wagers as well.

There are also Montana betting casinos where you can place bets on horse racing. The Montana Lottery also offers fantasy-style betting on other sports such as football and auto racing.

How Do I Find the Best Montana Sportsbook?

More real money sportsbooks are available than ever before in Montana. In the past, there were only a few sportsbooks available in Montana, and most of those sites offered minimal odds for major sports events. Currently, many different websites offer thousands of options daily. Finding a site that meets your needs is not more straightforward than it seems. All Montana sportsbooks need to offer a couple of crucial features. If you want to join any site, ensure you get all of the following features.

Transparent and Secure Payment System

Safety is the most critical factor in online betting. We recommend that you look for a betting site with an excellent payment system that is safe and secure. If you’re not aware, this system allows you to deposit and withdraw money.

Luckily, the solution is quite simple. First, you can look at the reviews throughout the years. In each review, you must examine the various payment methods offered by each site.

Also, it’s a good idea to check out the payment options yourself. You can find out which payment options are available on all of the best Montana sports betting sites. A website that does not list payment options probably isn’t worth joining.

Make sure that both debit and credit cards can be used for deposits. There should be minimal fees associated with these deposits. Only a few online sportsbooks in Montana accept Bitcoin for payment. There are low fees associated with Bitcoin withdrawals, and they often take only a few days to be processed.

Payment methods tell a lot about an online sportsbook’s overall performance. Your safety must always be the number one priority.

We have compiled lists that feature the best Bitcoin betting sites, the best crypto betting sites, the best PayPal betting sites, the best Skrill betting sites and the best Neteller betting sites.

Great Customer Support System

A lot of people overlook this aspect when looking at gambling sites. It’s unfortunate because the customer support system of a sports betting website is one of the most helpful tools you can use when you’re playing. Currently, Montana doesn’t regulate online sports betting. It means If you encounter any issues, you will have to contact the sportsbook you are playing at. 

Today, there are several types of customer support available. However, we believe that live chat is the best option. You can communicate directly with the website representative by using a text box. Having your questions answered instantly is the fastest and most convenient way. Direct phone lines are also a great alternative.

Some of the less reputable online sportsbooks in Montana only offer email assistance. As a result, you usually have to wait a long time for this service to respond to your questions. If you are joining a sportsbook online, make sure you will have access to customer support all day, all the time.

The importance of customer service shouldn’t be overlooked. As mentioned previously, you’ll need assistance from the site you play on. Ensure that it does.

Functionality and Modern Design

It may seem on the surface that the design of a website isn’t that crucial. However, your overall gambling experience depends on how these sites are designed. If you plan to join any Montana sports betting sites, you will need to make sure the site’s design makes selecting the sports you want to bet on as easy as possible.

It is the most accessible feature to examine. A website’s homepage can provide a lot of information about its design. To make sure nothing crashes, do a quick skim of the sites before signing up. Everyone has their own design preference. Some bettors prefer simple websites with limited betting options for significant sporting events. Some prefer the more sophisticated Montana sports betting websites with access to a wide range of betting options every day.

Sports Odds on Which You Want to Wager

You may think that this is completely obvious. We are often surprised by the number of new bettors who sign up for an online sportsbook without considering the odds offered, often sucked in by a welcome bonus, for example. Avoid this mistake at all costs. We strongly recommend that you go through the betting sites and see what odds are offered. Usually, Montana sportsbooks provide a range of odds. These odds include other sports than just US sports.

You can place bets on different sports happening across the globe on several of the sites. Some sites will allow you to bet on live sports events. In other words, you can place bets on various events in real-time. That’s the best way to feel like you’re a part of your favorite sport.

Different Types of Betting Options Available

Most players are drawn to the large selection of wagering options every month. Are you a fan of the NFL? You will find many sites offering NFL odds. Do you love MLB? Lines for every regular season and postseason game on these sites.

Conclusion

In 2019, Montana legalized sports gambling, particularly in physical betting establishments. Currently, Montana is considering legalizing sports betting online. However, it’s too early to say whether it will become legal anytime soon. There are several offshore sportsbooks in Montana that you can sign up with. If you are in the market for online sports betting in Montana, choose one that you like, register for an account, and claim the welcome bonus.

FAQs

Is Sports Betting Legal in Montana?

In May 2019, the state legalized sports betting, which is now fully operational.

What Are the Legalities of Online Sports Betting in Montana?

Montana does not allow online gambling. Casinos, bars, and restaurants are the only places where sports betting is legal in Montana.

Is Online Sports Betting Coming to Montana Soon?

The state of Montana does not appear to be in a hurry to implement its sports betting system online. Because all of the state’s players are betting elsewhere (offshore), it is unlikely that the state will change its online gambling policy anytime soon.

Which Sports Do Montanans Most Often Wager On?

 The state has plenty of sports fans. Sports such as football and baseball are especially popular with bettors in Montana.

What is the Best Way to Place a Bet in Montana?

Montana’s gambling laws are no different from those in other states where gambling is legal. If you visit a licensed site or kiosk, betting options will appear, and you can choose which games you would like to wager on. After considering the odds, complete your bet slip with your selection and place your bets. Licensed kiosks allow you to wager a maximum of $250 but $1,000 online. Both professional and collegiate sports are legal to bet on.