Online real-money casinos remain illegal in Montana, and sweepstakes casinos were also banned in October 2025. However, free online slots remain available for players looking to get their online casino fix. Our experts have discussed the legal landscape in Montana and how to play the best casino games for free.
Montana offers a variety of gambling options despite its tricky history with many forms of gambling. Land-based casinos provide the traditional range of casino games from blackjack to roulette, although these are only permitted as tribal casinos. Free online slots are the most convenient way to play online casino games in Montana, given the state's strict regulations on online gambling.
Montana has 13 live horse racing dates 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.
As real money casinos and sweepstakes casinos aren’t available in Montana, players can only play free online slots at Gambino Slots. Virtual coins are a form of currency used and can’t be redeemed for real money or cash prizes.
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.
However, it is essential to understand that this is a payout number across millions of game sessions, where every game outcome is completely random. So, while one player may suffer a losing streak, another may win a large prize.
The latest information about gambling online in Montana:
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, regulated retail and online sports betting. At the same time, the state legislature was rejecting a proposal to legalize blackjack.
Casino players in MT can only play online slots for free or sign up for an online casino in a different state.
Anyone looking to play online casino games outside of MT must complete verification processes to play and withdraw. You may be asked to supply proof of ID, such as a driver's license. Online verification usually takes a few hours, but it can take longer if the online casino deems it necessary.
No real-money casinos or sweepstakes sites are available in MT, so there aren’t any casino banking methods available.
Montana is one of those rare US states with a different legal age of majority. You’ll only need to be 18 to play free online slots, compared to 21 in many other states. Other forms of online gambling are illegal and, therefore, aren’t available to play.
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.
The Montana Gambling Control Division (GCD) regulates all gambling in the state, 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.
Signing up to Gambino Slots gives you access to casino bonuses and a no deposit welcome bonus to collect more free coins and spins. Players can also discover extra free spins offers, a daily wheel spin, and a generous refer-a-friend package.
Like in most other states, most Montana casino players use their mobile devices to play on the go. Every 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, we would recommend installing the apps below on your phone!
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.
No, sweepstakes casinos are not legal in Montana either. It became the first state to introduce anti-sweeps laws, deeming them illegal methods of bypassing current online gambling laws. For free casino gaming, players should visit Gambino Slots for free-to-play online slots using virtual coins.
Montana players will find they have access to many of the best online casinos. However, finding the best casino will depend on your preference. We have tested free online casino sites and we would recommend Gambino Slots as one of our favorites.
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.