One of the best things about online gambling is that you can get involved in the action whenever you like and no matter where you live. Of course, not every country, region, or state operates the same, which is why knowing the gambling laws for your location is important. This is why in this article we’ll be taking a look at how Montana’s online gambling laws compare with other states, so you can play safely, and most importantly, legally. This article aims to give you an overview of Montana’s gambling laws, so if you’re looking for detailed information on the Montana gambling age then you can find information here .
Montana has some of the most liberal rules on social gambling but does this attitude extend to online casinos and online gaming? Keep on reading to find out more.
Is Online Gambling Prohibited in Montana?
We hate to break it to you, but all forms of online gambling are banned in the state of Montana. Montana is one of the strictest states in the USA when it comes to factors such as alcohol and gambling. The Montana Constitution clearly outlines what the state views as illegal gambling;
“All forms of gambling, lotteries, and gift enterprises are prohibited unless authorized by acts of the legislature or by the people through initiative or referendum.” (Article III, Section 9).
As mentioned ‘social gambling’, as in games played and licensed and regulated brick-and-mortar casinos are completely legal in the state. Where this state different from others is the banning of any form of gambling which requires a “mechanical, electromechanical, or electronic device, machine, slot machine, instrument, apparatus, contrivance, scheme, or system used or intended for use in any gambling activity ( statute 23-5-112 (14)) , as you may have guessed, this definition leaves no ambiguity regarding the legality of online and mobile casinos and also extends to slot machines in physical casinos too.
Montana has had a strict history with gambling and outlawed online gambling back in 2005 and has had a pretty no-nonsense stance on the activity since. To be a legal form of gambling there must be some form of physical or social interaction, such as face-to-face play in brick-and-mortar casinos, or sports betting in a licensed betting shop.
Is There Anyway I Can Gamble Online in Montana?
Technically, the laws regarding online gambling in Montana are designed to target anyone aiming to provide an online gambling experience from the state or USA. This means that players can use offshore online casinos if they choose to but this does come with increased risk. While there are some great offshore casinos out there, it can feel a bit like the Wild West, as sites require less licensing and regulation in order to operate, so if you choose this avenue you’ll want to do a lot of thorough research to ensure you can play safely. There are however a whole host of fantastic casinos operating inside Montana including tribal casinos operated by Native Americans on their tribal lands. While these casinos won’t have slot machines (due to regulations) players will find all the casino classics like Blackjack and Poker.
What are the Laws Regarding the Legal Gambling Age in Montana?
So, with online gambling mostly out of the question in the state of Montana, are there any other restrictions players need to be aware of? Well, the only other factor you need to consider is the legal age requirements in this state. The general gist is that from the age of 18 you can take part in all legal forms of gambling in the state such as casino games, poker rooms, bingo, lottery, and horse racing bets. This is actually a remarkable difference between Montana and other states, as just 9 other states have the age of legal gambling set to 18, with most setting the age limit to 21 to coincide with drinking legislation.
What Does the Future of Gambling in Montana Look Like?
The gambling regulation in Montana isn’t subject to change, however, and sports betting is one of the most recent forms of gambling to have been legalized in Montana in 2019. This should mean that in future years players should be able to benefit from a variety of sports betting options; though as of yet things are still a bit limited due to the lack of infrastructure.
While it’s unlikely for the strict rules regarding online gambling to drastically change in Montana, there’s always the chance that some rulings will be relaxed and a community of online players can start to form. For now, though, you’ll have to visit the variety of excellent casinos in Montana in person to experience the thrills and spills of casino games.
