Casinos in Montana – Our Top Places to Play in MT

The Best Casinos in Montana

The Biggest Casinos in Montana

Are There Indian Casinos in Montana?

Indian casinos are classified as gambling resorts built on native land, and more than 500 such entities have been built in the US since the rollout of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988. Montana is home to eight such casinos, which offer a unique cultural and gambling experience by anyone’s standards!

Racinos

While there may be a myriad of Montana tribal casinos, there are no racinos open in the state. These are establishments that combine gambling or casino facilities with a racetrack, but the good news is that there are plenty of other options and resort types available to residents!

Are There Cruise Ship or Riverboat Casinos in Montana?

Riverboat and cruise ship casinos are defined as gambling establishments that are based on water and docks. These are split across just six states in the US, and while Montana may run along the north coast, there are no such resorts open in the region.

Full Montana Casino List

Montana’s full range of casinos is split across 5 of the state’s cities and areas around them, with Billings home to a whopping 47 licensed resorts in all. We’ve broken down the land-based casinos in Montana in greater detail below, while appraising the distance between different entities.

Expected New Casinos

The latest news in Montana has seen Scientific Games renew their contract to provide lottery services for the next two years, but at present there are no plans to grant new licenses anywhere in Montana gambling cities

Gambling in Montana

Casino Games in Montana

Across all of Montana’s casinos and gambling resorts you’ll find a wide range of games. Although most are only licensed to offer slot gaming, there are a select few that feature various table games, poker cash tournaments and even dice games! Read on below to learn more.

Gambling Legal Situation in Montana

Taxation of Winnings

All gambling winnings earned in Montana are subject to a flat Federal tax rate of 24%. For prizes of $5,000 or more, you’ll also have to pay a levy of 6.9% direct to the state authority

Montana Gambling Laws

Understanding Montana’s gambling laws is crucial for those interested in gaming within the state. Below, you’ll find key details about regulations governing video gambling devices, horse racing, and table games.

History

The gambling industry in Montana has come a long was since 1889, when the state’s initial constitution banned this practice as a result of questionable lottery scams and rogue operators. But what exactly has happened since then?

• 1937 – 1945: In the wake of Prohibition and the Great Depression, Montana was starved of state tax income and introduced the Hickey Act in 1937. This legalised table games and created a much-needed source of revenue, while in 1945, similar legislation was passed to make slot gaming permissible in the state.
• 1945 – 1985: The Supreme Court moved to ban slots just five years later in 1950, and it wasn’t until 23 years later that the state relaxed its approach by legalizing bingo and raffles for charitable purposes. In 1980, video poker machines were declared illegal under the state’s slow laws, but the Video Poker Machine Act of 1985 reversed this and allowed up to five machines (raised to 20 in 1991) to be operational in licensed premises.
• 1985 – Present: The decision to raise the number of video poker and slot machines was important, and it’s why you’ll find 20 such entities in most resorts throughout Montana. Earlier this year in March 2020, the state’s newly defined mobile sports betting laws were finally passed, creating a new avenue for off-track wagering throughout the region.

Upcoming Changes in the Gambling Regulation

The most recent changes in gambling law were formally passed in March 2020, allowing for online and mobile sports betting in the state. However, there are no plans to legalise online casino gameplay.