Montana Lottery approves sports betting rules

The Montana Lottery Commission on Thursday in Helena approved rules to implement sports wagering under the brand name Sports Bet Montana. Businesses with alcohol and gambling licenses will be able to apply for sports wagering licenses early next month, as soon as the administrative rules are published by the secretary of state’s office.

"We’ve been working hard since May to create and build Sports Bet Montana,” Lottery director Angela Wong said in a press release.

The rules allow sports wagering to be offered by businesses within city limits if they have all-beverage liquor licenses and those outside incorporated areas if they have beer and wine licenses. Estimates show about 1,400 locations around the state would qualify to apply for a license, according to Independent Record.

Lottery officials are still working out additional details, including the type of bets that can be placed. Those parameters are expected to be approved at the commission’s next meeting. In-game bets, over-under and parlays are expected to be offered, a spokeswoman said, the Associated Press reports.

The 2019 Legislature passed a bill authorizing sports wagering as long as the bets are made in a licensed establishment either through a terminal or a cellphone app. It’s not clear when sports wagering will be available in Montana. After businesses receive sports wagering licenses, lottery officials will have to install terminals and train their own staff, retailers and players how to use them.

The Montana Lottery already offers fantasy football and fantasy racing, but not direct wagering on the outcome of events. Bets of up to $100 are allowed on fantasy teams, with betting taking place at certain retailers.

To participate in sports wagering, users will download an app on their phone that allows them to plan out wagers, but a bet can't be placed on the mobile app unless the person is in a licensed wagering location. Bets can also be made at kiosks in the locations for people who do not want to use the mobile app.

There was some objection in October to rules that require betting to be in locations with appropriate alcohol licenses. The Lottery said the rules, which it wrote, follow legislative intent and piggyback on the alcohol licensing system to ensure sports betting licenses, like those for alcohol, are distributed across the state and not concentrated in certain areas.

Bryan Costigan, security director for the Lottery, said Thursday at the commission meeting the Lottery received several comments that sports betting should be opened up to broader venues. Betting will be offered on professional and collegiate sports. The Lottery is still working on the parameters and types of bets to be offered, but it's expected to be similar to what gamblers would see in Las Vegas.

Costigan said that the Lottery has met with the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education and explained how a self-exclusion tool will work to let those who should not be betting on sports, such as coaches or officials, rule themselves out from participating. He also said they plan to have a customer service number for people to call with questions.