Montana Casino Guide
Facts About Gambling & Online Casinos in Montana
With well over 1,000 establishments licensed to offer video gambling machines and revenues of almost $400 million coming into the state each year, it’s surprising to find that the laws regulating online gambling and casinos in Montana are pretty strict. The only casinos in the state are tribal casinos, though bars and establishments of that nature are legally allowed to have Keno, slots, and video poker machines.
One thing that is interesting to note is that it is illegal to use a credit card to gamble. Per the Montana Department of Justice, the only way you can legally buy credits for gambling is through cash. You cannot use a personal check, IOU, debit card, or credit card.
History of Gambling in Montana
Going as far back as 1889, Montana’s feelings on gambling were pretty clear for that’s the year all forms of gambling were abolished. It remained that way until 1933 when prohibition ended and bars opened and started allowing gambling. Gambling, however, wasn’t truly legalized until the Hickey Act of 1937 when table games were allowed, but only if they were licensed by the county in which they operated.
The next big step came in 1945 when slot machines were legalized in non-profit organizations and the state began to tax these machines. This wouldn’t last long, however, as the Montana Supreme Court ruled slots and punch boards to be illegal in 1950.
Gambling in Montana was at a standstill until bingo, card games, raffles, and sports pools were legalized in 1973. Three years later, it was determined that Keno was a form of bingo and therefore also legal. Another decade would pass and video poker was legalized and the state started issuing licenses to bars and other venues throughout the state. In just one year, more than 2,800 licenses were issued allowing establishments to have no more than five video poker machines and as many Keno machines as they wanted. The limit of five video poker machines was lifted in 1991. In 2011, video gambling machines where payouts are dependent on lines, such as slots, were legalized.
Age Restrictions for Gambling in Montana
Montana does have some pretty strict laws, but the age limit at which you can gamble legally is actually pretty lax. To gamble in Montana, you must be at least 18 years of age. If you are younger than 18, you may purchase tickets for charitable raffles.
Montana’s Casino Gambling Outlook
It’s unlikely that online casinos in Montana will pass anytime soon. The state passed a bill in 2005 making online gambling illegal.
Local Casinos
According to the Montana Department of Justice, there are more than 1,400 establishments where players can play video gambling machines. Here are a couple of the most popular casinos in Montana.
Glacier Peaks Casino & Hotel – If you want the biggest range of games, Glacier Peaks is an excellent choice. There are more than 300 slots, a bingo hall, and a poker room.
KwaTaqNuk Resort Casino – KwaTaqNuk boasts being the largest casino in Western Montana. The establishment has more than 200 slot machines available to its patrons.