Online real money casino gambling remains illegal in Montana after not being included in the recent sports betting bill. However, as sweepstakes casinos do not offer real-money gambling, they aren’t subject to the laws prohibiting traditional online casinos. They are, therefore, available and safe to play in the Treasure State.
Our casino experts have written this guide that covers everything you need to know about playing at sweepstakes casinos in Montana. We discuss the legal landscape, recommend the best sweepstakes casinos, and teach you how to claim coins through bonuses and play for free for as long as you wish.
Read on to learn everything you need to know about Montana’s bustling social casino scene.
Social and sweepstakes casinos are very popular across Montana, just like most US states. With so many US casinos sites competing for your attention, how can you tell the best from the rest? We tested all the available sweepstakes casinos based on strict criteria, so let’s look at some of our most recommended Montana sweepstakes casinos to try in the state.
Throughout much of the first half of the 20th century, the state of Montana carried on a love-hate relationship with gambling. As far back as 1899, the Montana state constitution had declared all forms of gambling to be illegal in the state.
Despite this decree, gambling, even illegal slot machines, continued to operate at sites around Montana. In the 1940s, charity gambling was permitted, and pull tabs became popular. It wasn’t until 1950 that Montana lawmakers truly set out to put the clamps on illegal gambling. The Montana Supreme Court, by a 4-1 margin, ruled against the legalization of gambling.
In 1973, the state legislature passed the Card Game, Bingo, Raffles, and Sports Pool Act, bringing back forms of charitable gambling. Keno was added to this collection in 1976. Video poker was legalized in 1984, and the state lottery was created in 1986.
By 1994, Montana approved the first land-based tribal casinos. A significant change occurred in 2019 when the state government approved legal and regulated retail and online sports betting. At the same time, the state legislature was rejecting a proposal to legalize blackjack.
A delightful surprise among social casinos in Montana is discovering just how extensive the game libraries are at many of the top sweepstakes casino sites. Many of the same blockbuster game titles are available in the social and sweepstakes casino game libraries.
There are casino slots, including progressive jackpots and Megaways games. Plenty of table game options, video poker, scratch cards, arcade-style games, and live dealer studios are also prevalent. Following are some of the best games you can play in Montana in each category.
The Return to Player (RTP) percentage is a statistical indication of how much of the total amounts wagered a game will pay out in the long run. For example, a game with an RTP of 94% will pay players $0.94 in winnings for every $1 bet on the game.
The latest information about gambling online in Montana:
Sports betting, the first form of online gambling available in Montana, was legalized in 2019 when Governor Steve Bullock signed into law bill HB 725. The state also has land-based tribal casinos and a state lottery. Montana has 13 dates of live horse racing on the calendar, and online advance deposit wagering on horse racing is also legal in the state.
Charitable raffles, bingo, keno, panguingue, poker, and shake-a-day are also permitted, as are sports pools, fantasy sports leagues, and sports tab games. While real-money online casinos are illegal under US Gambling Laws, social and sweepstakes casinos are readily available in Montana.
Sweepstakes casinos in Montana allow you to wager Gold Coins for fun and entertainment and Sweepstakes Coins for the chance of winning prizes that can be redeemed for cash. You can collect coins through bonuses and promotions or purchase GC bundled with bonus SC.
It’s a simple process to open an account with one of these Montana online casinos through the following steps:
You’ll never have to spend any money playing at Montana social casinos. Many free promotional offers will keep you supplied with coins to play games. However, purchasing coin packages from the sweepstakes casino site with trusted payment methods can bulk up your supply of Gold Coins. These packages will usually include a free supply of Sweepstakes Coins. SC will always be given away for free and can’t be purchased.
Montana is one of those rare US states with a different legal age of majority. You’ll only need to be 18 to play at Montana sweepstakes casinos. You aren’t required to be a resident of Montana to play these social casino games. However, it is mandated that you be physically located inside state lines to play at Montana social casinos.
By law, you must provide documentation to Montana online casinos to verify that you are 18 or older. This can be a government-issued ID such as a passport or driver’s license. While you don’t have to live in Montana to play at social casinos, you must be in Montana to play.
The Montana Gambling Control Division (GCD) regulates retail and online gambling in the state. It regulates all forms of gambling in Montana except sports betting, the Montana Lottery, and horse racing. The GCD is charged with maintaining a uniform regulatory climate that is fair and free of corrupt influences. The division is also responsible for collecting gambling revenue for state and local governments.
Like in most other states, most Montana casino players use their mobile devices to play on the go. Every sweepstakes mobile casino we recommend has a site built with HTML5 technology, making it responsive and optimized for iOS and Android devices.
However, if you want a complete mobile experience, several social casinos in Montana offer mobile apps you can install on your device. Here are some of Montana’s top casinos that offer mobile apps and their respective ratings.
Like many states in the Wild West, the Montana government once sought to shut down all forms of gambling. Illegal gambling was prevalent across the state for much of the first part of the 20th century. That was finally reigned in during the 1950s, and it wasn’t until the 1970s that state government officials slowly began to remove the shackles on different forms of gambling in Montana.
The Montana constitution declares all forms of gambling illegal in the state.
Nonprofits and charities are permitted to hold forms of gambling like bingo.
Montana Supreme Court rules against the legalization of gambling.
State legislature passes the Card Game, Bingo, Raffles, and Sports Pool Act.
Voters approve the Montana Lottery.
First tribal casinos are approved in Montana.
State legislature defeats a proposal to allow the creation of “Destination Montana” – an entertainment district with Las Vegas-style casinos in Butte.
Legal and regulated retail and online sports betting is approved in Montana.
Dice games are authorized to be played on the premises of a licensed gambling operator.
You’ve probably seen ads for online casinos claiming they are available to play in Montana. While this is technically true, those sites don’t tell you that playing real money online casino games is against US law. While there’s no record of anyone ever being charged for gambling at one of these so-called offshore casinos, the fact of the matter is that you play at these sites at your own risk.
Since the state does not regulate these sites, you have no recourse if you score a big win and don’t get paid. There’s no assurance that these sites are taking any precautions to protect your personal information or the money in your account. Likewise, if the site shuts down suddenly, you’d have no method through any regulatory body to be sure you’d get your money back.
Land-based tribal casinos were approved in Montana in 1994. Currently, there are 10 tribal casinos in the state, operated by seven tribes.
Big Arm Resort Casino is owned by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and is located in Flathead Lake, Montana. The tribe also owns the Kwataqnuk Resort & Casino in Polson, MT, and Gray Wolf Peak Casino in Missoula, MT.
The casino features 44 slot machines, an RV park, cabins, marina boat slips, and a bar and grill. It is open Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 10 p.m.
KwaTaqNuk Resort Casino is located on the southern shore of Flathead Lake near Polson, Montana. It is owned by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.
The KwaTaqNuk Resort Casino features a casino with 250 slot machines, two restaurants, and a 107-room hotel. Along with casino action, there’s also skiing offered at the resort. The casino is open 24 hours a day.
The Glacier Peaks Casino is located West of the Junction of Hwy 2 and 89 West in Browning, a short distance from Glacier National Park. The casino houses 300 slot machines and video poker machines.
There are three restaurants on-site, as well as a hotel and an RV campground. The Glacier Peaks Casino is open daily from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
No, online casinos are not legal in Montana. In 2005, state lawmakers passed a law ruling that online casino gambling was illegal in Montana. However, as social and sweepstakes casinos don’t offer real-money gambling, they are available and safe to play in Montana.
There is no official legislation on Montana sweepstakes casinos. However, as these casinos aren’t prohibited by the laws that prohibit online casinos, you can play for fun and enjoyment with Gold Coins. You can opt to go with Sweepstakes Coins, which are redeemable for prizes like gift cards and cash.
Montana players will find they have access to many of the best online sweepstakes casinos. However, finding the best casino will depend on your preference. We have tested sweepstakes casinos available in Montana and have listed the best ones on this page.
Yes. As our team tests the safety of every sweepstakes casino we recommend based on strict criteria, we only list the safest, most trustworthy brands. We ensure our featured operators adhere to the most stringent safety, privacy, encryption, fairness, and responsible gaming standards.
You will receive a no deposit welcome bonus when you open an account with a Montana sweepstakes casino. This consists of Gold Coins and Sweepstakes Coins to play in the social casino. There are often welcome bonus packages of additional coins that can be purchased at a discount rate.