Montana Online Casino Gaming – Legal in 2024?

Offshore sites for online gambling in the United States can often be the only choice, which is the case for Montana residents. With plenty of options to enjoy at these establishments, casino players from the Big Sky Country looking for a variety of options, bonuses and mobile casinos on the go aren’t necessarily held back by the state’s internet gambling laws because a gray area in Montana legislature doesn’t strictly prohibit offshore operators.

This comprehensive guide has been created to walk you through the legalities of Montana online casinos and assist you in finding the most reputable online betting sites in Montana. We’ve also compiled a list of the top 10 best online casinos. We’ll discuss several gambling topics surrounding the current state of casinos in Montana, such as the land-based operators and how you can begin playing at an online casino in MT today. 

Montana’s Highest-Rated Online Casino Sites for 2024   

Despite many physical casinos and card rooms dotted around Montana, online casinos are prohibited and absent from the state. For this reason, many residents take advantage of the variety of casino platforms operating offshore that accept Montana players.

However, we don’t recommend choosing any offshore operator, and that’s why our team of industry experts has found the most reputable and trustworthy offshore options for you.

1. Bovada – The best overall online casino in Montana      
2. BetOnline – Huge selection of casino games with free and fast crypto banking   
3. BetAnySports – A wide variety of live dealer tables
4. BookMaker – One of the most reputable & experienced online casinos
5. Heritage Sports – Casino players can win a million at the progressive jackpots     
6. BetUS – Over 400 top-quality casino games
7. Everygame – A complete collection of online casino games and excellent poker room
8. WagerWeb – Perfect for serious table gamers   
9. JustBet – Great variety of roulette tables and countless premium casino games      
10. SportsBetting.ag – Fantastic casino, sportsbook and racebook combination

Is online casino gambling legal in Montana?  

Many states in North America have supported and instilled the legalization of online gambling and have allowed U.S.-based operators an opportunity to license their brands; this isn’t true for Montana. The current gambling regulations in Montana state that online gambling sites are illegal, and commercial casinos are the only establishments that can legally operate based on the existing framework. 

However, all is not lost for Montana residents. Casino players from the Big Sky Country can play for real money behind a plethora of offshore options. Because Montana laws aren’t actively pursuing residents playing with offshore operators, it’s an option Montana locals can turn to. These offshore establishments provide online gambling services but don’t adhere to U.S. laws as they’re licensed in other jurisdictions. And the result? Many residents from Montana have a wealth of online casinos readily available.  

Comparing the Top Online Casinos in Montana   

You’ve already browsed the top 10 online casinos in Montana, ranked by our industry experts. So, it’s time to uncover more intricate details of the most elite online casinos, and you can find our top five reviews below.  

1. Bovada: The Best Overall Online Casino in Montana 

Bovada is an industry leader regarding its sportsbook, but most casino players don’t realize this well-established offshore operator delivers top-tier online casino services. Under the guidance of industry-leading software developers BetSoft, RealTime Gaming and Nucleus Gaming, Bovada presents various popular casino titles and even in-house games exclusive to this site.

Going the extra mile regarding its game variety, and quality selection, Bovada has additionally adopted the services of Rival, Genesis Gaming and Spinomenal. What does this mean? Bovada’s casino operates under several top-quality software developers, thus providing diverse options for its customers, whether you’re an avid table game, slots or poker player. 

The poker room at Bovada is extremely popular. Customers will never struggle to find a seat, with multiple poker variants, cash games for low and high stakes and regular tournaments that operate under the Bodog/Bovada poker network. Furthermore, Bovada’s live casino is popping with over 30 tables covering games like blackjack, roulette, baccarat and Super 6. 

Slot machines aren’t neglected either. With such a vast amount of software operators, Bovada can provide a huge range of themes and styles. No other top-rated Montana casino on our list can deliver 777 Deluxe, The Forbidden Slot, Robyn, Caesar’s Empire and A Night With Cleo under the same lobby, but Bovada does. There are also two exclusive slot machine titles, along with exclusive Bovada promo codes to help you make the most of this dynamic casino.

2. BetOnline: Huge Selection of Online Casino Games with Free & Fast Crypto Banking 

BetOnline is a fan-favorite online gambling site in Montana, recognized for its casino, sportsbook and racebook combination. Casino players won’t be disappointed with this operator, which boasts tons of gaming options and some of the best table game software the industry has to offer.

The range of deposit methods at this Montana online casino is another key feature. Players can rely on cryptocurrency to enjoy anonymity with their banking while making instant deposits and withdrawals for free. Once your account is loaded with welcome bonus funds, players can test their luck in various tournaments to win their share of a monthly prize pool exceeding $1,000,000. There are even more tournaments, including season-specific tournaments; for example, the Spooky Slots that runs in October presents a $200,000 prize pool. There is also a selection of promo codes at BetOnline that can provide a wide range of perks.

This trustworthy operator has a solid reputation in the gaming community. After indulging in a full range of popular titles from Betsoft and Nucleus, even more, excitement can be found in the extensive list of slot machines run by Dragon Gaming, Flipluck and DSG. Variety is nothing new to BetOnline, and alongside the selection of slots are multiple baccarat variants, X9 roulette variants, 17 different blackjack games, X2 craps and 11 poker game types.

Available 24/7, seven days per week, lovers of casino gaming have endless options at BetOnline. Card enthusiasts can partake in high-stakes tournaments or low-stakes cash games any day with a busy poker room. Live dealer tables readily provide the real casino table experience with live streaming croupiers and specialty games such as keno & scratch cards can see jackpots as high as $300,000.

3. BetAnySports: An Extensive Range of Live Dealer Tables

While the branding can be deceiving for some, don’t let it fool you because BetAnySports offers Montana residents a thriving online casino space. Most noticeably, this operator caters to those wanting to experience a top-quality live experience, with a great selection of live dealer tables accessible from a desktop PC or mobile device. 

Navigability when entering the BAS casino is simple and visually pleasing; its optimized site works effortlessly on any mobile device, and even the most inexperienced online casino players will find it easy to operate. With three live dealer lobbies and several casino rooms available, players won’t be short of variety with popular games like blackjack, roulette, video poker and a collection of slot games.

BetAnySports isn’t the best choice for online poker players, as you won’t find active poker rooms here. However, fans of table games, slot machines and lottery games have many traditional casino games to choose from, all of which are housed at a site that delivers noteworthy customer service, several bonus schemes and a comprehensive sportsbook for good measure.

4. BookMaker: One of the Most Reputable & Experienced Online Casinos

With a valuable reputation dating back to the nineties, online casino players in the United States describe Bookmaker.eu as one of the most trustworthy and recognizable brands. Unique features and due care to its customers is ‌commonplace at BookMaker, especially with its no-ban policy stance on winning players. No other online casino refuses to limit, suspend or eventually ban its customers that continuously make profits. This is why BookMaker heavily separates itself from the competition. 

Furthermore, BookMaker’s wagering limits are some of the highest in North America. Casino goers looking for blackjack, roulette, baccarat, video poker, slots and more, can access the BookMaker Casino from any desktop PC and mobile device and enjoy gambling with low or high stakes without the need to worry about limits. Along with high limits, BookMaker’s promos are also impressive.

Live dealer tables are another highlight of this top Montana online casino. Three different live casinos are available, each offering special variations of blackjack, roulette, baccarat and Super 6 that are streamed directly to your screen as live croupiers host your game. Moreover, this operator’s transparency can help you make an informed decision, as BookMaker shows players the RTP% (Return to Player Percentage) for each game, therefore giving players a clearer understanding of their chance of success.

5. Heritage Sports: Players Can Win a Million At The Progressive Jackpots

Although the name suggests otherwise, Heritage Sports doesn’t strictly cater to sports betting enthusiasts – despite doing an excellent job with its sportsbook offerings. Montana online casino enthusiasts will be greeted with a great selection of blackjack, roulette, slots and live dealer tables at Heritage Sports. And while its overall library isn’t as extensive as the catalogs delivered by operators like BetOnline, they offer unique services such as the free play option, where customers can test the available casino games before using real money. 

The slot machine variety at Heritage Sports is just enough. But where it lacks sort, it undoubtedly makes up for it with impressive progressive jackpots that can sometimes present prize pools of $1,000,000. This operator is an ideal all-rounder for those interested in an online casino, sportsbook and racebook combination. 

Casino enthusiasts can access Heritage Sports from a desktop PC or laptop or use the optimized mobile site. Both were tested by our team and delivered a positive casino experience equally. The Heritage Sports site is secure with the latest encryption technology and has held a gambling license for over 25 years. With casino-specific promotions, a special welcome bonus, rebate options for casino players and a reputable sportsbook, it’s hard to discredit this well-experienced operator as a great option for online casino playing in Montana.

Our Casino Rating Methodology

The online casinos available to Montana residents we’ve recommended in this guide have undergone a thorough vetting process behind strict criteria they must meet. Our industry experts frequently test each operator to look for inconsistencies and faults, and our rankings are regularly updated based on their reviews. Below you’ll find some of the key features and site components that are included in our ranking process:  

• Do they have a live casino? 
• Mobile site functionality 
• Site security & safety  
• Customer service options and response 
• Range of deposit methods
• Casino Value (RTP, House Edge, etc.) 
• Bonuses & promotions 
• Casino game variety
• Brand recognition & reputation  

Montana State’s History of Gambling Laws

The history of gambling in Montana is fairly straightforward and has often replicated similar trends over the years. The Big Sky Country has been liberal at times, specifically regarding its land-based operations, but the law has been strict for Montana online casinos.  

Timeline of Gambling in Montana    

• 2020: Montana sports betting launches and is overseen by the Montana Lottery.
• 2019: Montana Governor Steve Bullock legalizes sports betting but rejects the private market.
• 2005: The legislature reinforces its position on internet gambling, making it strictly illegal in Montana.
• 1991: Locations with liquor licenses receive a boost from 5 to 20 video poker machines allowed per venue.
• 1985: Restaurants, bars, casinos and establishments with liquor licenses introduce poker machines as the Video Poker Machine Act passes.
• 1976: The Montana Supreme Court legalized video keno.
• 1973: More gambling options for Montana residents came to fruition as the Card Game, Bingo, Raffles and Sports Pool Act passed.
• 1937: The Hickey Act passed, and some counties in Montana legalized real-money casino table games at specified locations.
• 1933: Prohibition in the United States ends, and bars reopen; this trickles down and causes a fluctuation in illegal gambling activity.
• 1889: All forms of gambling are made illegal.

Important Features of the Best Online Casinos Sites  

If you’ve reached this stage of our comprehensive guide, congratulations; it means that you’re curious about the serious workings of Montana’s best online casinos, and you’re close to whittling down the variety of platforms to find your perfect choice. 

However, we aren’t finished yet; you can find more details on the key features of a top Montana online casino and why they’re crucial to consider before picking an operator to play with below. 

Gambling Odds 

Player-versus-player games like poker don’t hold much weight regarding odds, as they’re strictly based on your skill level, and the house cut is pretty much universal. However, every time you play a game of chance like slot machines, a Return to Player percentage (RTP%) is attached to those games. The closer the machine’s RTP% is to 100%, the higher the probability of winning. With games like blackjack, you’re looking for the lowest house edge percentage, and the reason behind blackjack’s popularity is that it can often present a low house edge of just 1%. 

The aforementioned factors are why we look for online casinos with the RTP% and house edge. We also like sites that have good payout rates and overall payout value.  

Betting Markets   

Variety and choice are important to most casino players; nobody wants a repetitive experience on the same games. This is why market selection for each casino is important; we want to see multiple game variants and numerous software developers.  

Banking Methods  

Cryptocurrency and e-Wallets are commonly used payment methods for online Montana casinos, but a top Montana online casino should also deliver variety in this regard. Conventional payment methods like credit cards and debit cards are just as important, and we prefer sites that have lower fees for these banking options.

Promotional Offers & Bonuses

Welcome bonuses can be why a casino player registers with a site or finds an alternative option. We look for the best casino welcome bonuses, but aside from their overall value, we look at the T&Cs to confirm that the rollover requirement is fair and that no hidden rules restrict a player’s bonus. Regular casino promotions like rebates, free spins, and free poker entries are also important to ensure loyal customers are taken care of. 

Live Dealers 

Live dealer tables give Montana casino players an alternative to the computer graphics and non-social aspect of online gambling. A real dealer will manage your table – just like in a real-life casino – and your blackjack games, baccarat, roulette or Super 6 are streamed directly to your desktop or mobile screen. Some operators also have chat box options where you can interact with the croupier. If an operator doesn’t have live dealer tables, they’ll unlikely make the cut.

Mobile Experience  

While many online casino players in Montana enjoy playing poker, blackjack, and slots from their desktop PC and laptops, the popularity of mobile casinos is unavoidable. For this reason, offshore casinos must have a downloadable app or a completely optimized site that delivers a seamless experience for players using mobile devices.

Customer Support   

There’s a problem with your online casino account; what do you do? This is where an operator’s customer service team should be readily available. A live chat option is a must, and it should be available 24/7. We also like to see alternative forms of customer support like email, phone numbers and complaint forms. An excellent customer service team is critical and offshore casinos without one will not be featured in our rankings. 

Security & Safety     

Playing with an online Montana casino involves sharing sensitive data such as your name, address and banking details. This is why we expect nothing less than the highest possible forms of site security, from security encryption to two-factor authentication and gambling licenses issued by a reputable gaming control board. 

Popular Montana Casino Games   

The top-rated Montana online casinos mentioned in this guide present an extensive choice of games. And while the gambling landscape in MT holds a fairly conservative stance compared to other states, casino table games, slots, and poker are still accessible and some of Montana’s favorite games. 

Below we’ve listed some of the most commonly played casino games:

Online Slots 

Online slots deliver an almost identical experience to land-based slot machines. The perk with online slots is you don’t have to worry about prying eyes, as you’ll never have other people hovering over your shoulder, and you’ll never lose your machine. Furthermore, the RTP% of machines isn’t always visible at physical casinos. 

Online Poker

Montana law allows locations with liquor licenses to hold poker games, and several land-based establishments have card rooms with live poker events. However, online poker delivers a new dynamic to playing poker, as poker faces cannot be read, and players must recognize poker patterns as their opponents are visible. 

Online Blackjack  

Blackjack is available at commercial casinos in Montana, but the variants and ease of access are unmatchable to what online Montana casino operators provide. Online blackjack rules are no different than the physical version, but if you’re playing alternative variants, be sure to check the rules before you play. 

Roulette 

Roulette in Montana can be accessed at one of the many land-based casinos. For those playing roulette online, the rules are the same, and the same bet types – red/black, high/low, even/odd, individual number bets – the only difference is that the roulette table is computer generated unless you’re playing at a live dealer table. 

Lottery-Style Games 

Montana established itself as a lottery state in 1986. The state doesn’t provide online lottery apps, as tickets must be purchased in person. However, top-rated offshore sites like BetAnySports allow Montana residents to partake in various lotteries and even have a dedicated page for lottery games – They include Keno, 75 Ball Bingo, 90 Ball Bingo, Daily Lotto Draws, Mini Lottos, and scratchers.  

Live Dealers  

Live dealer casinos allow online players to see actual croupiers dealing cards for online games via a live stream. The rules and house odds are the same, but it’s a good way to experience a true-to-life casino experience from your desktop or mobile device.  

Land-Based Casinos in Montana  

It’s no Las Vegas, but Montana is still a pro-casino state, with various commercial casinos providing video gaming machines, slots and more. Below you can find some of the most popular land-based casinos in Montana.  

Charging Horse Casino and Bingo   

The Charing House has a bingo hall with 500 seats and over 125 electronic gaming machines for avid casino players. Fancy a bite? Players can resolve their hunger at the on-site restaurant.   

Fort Belknap Casino   

The Fort Belknap is one of the more modest casinos in Montana, with around 100 electronic games and a concessions stand.  

Glacier Peaks Hotel & Casino  

Like most land-based casinos in Montana, the Glacier Peaks has Class II machines – a hybrid of slots and bingo. In addition to its slot offerings, customers can enjoy a poker game. Hotel rooms are available for those seeking overnight accommodation. 

Gray Wolf Peak Casino  

The Gray Wolf Peak Casino is one of the most visited establishments in Montana. They have unique perks, such as bonuses for regulars who enter the players’ club. There are also fine dining establishments like Timbers nearby and a full bar. There are over 300 slot machines and electronic games, some of which include progressive jackpots.    

Silver Wolf Casino 

Bingo games, pull tabs, and close to 130 slot machines and electronic games can be found at the Silver Wolf casino.  

KwaTaqNuk Resort Casino 

This casino resort offers luxurious rooms at affordable prices. It’s a complete experience for casino players and is an excellent choice for visitors to Montana, with its scenic exterior offering lakeside views. Players will find more than 220 slot machines, and there’s a great choice of stay-and-play options with its hotel.   

Northern Winz Hotel and Casino  

Behind 10,000 sq. ft, the Northern Winz has more than 150 gaming machines for its customers and is undoubtedly one of the more popular casinos in Montana. Two restaurants are on-site, and they have plenty of rooms for overnight stayers.

How to Create an Online Casino Account  

Those unfamiliar with the online casino registration process needn’t worry; we’ve compiled a short guide below detailing the step-by-step process to assist you in creating an account. 

Step 1: Sign-Up   

On the landing page of your selected online casino, click on the “register,” “join now” or “sign up” button to begin the registration process. Fill in your basic details and confirm.

Step 2: Verify Your Details  

A verification email will arrive in your inbox; click the activation link to confirm your account. 

Step 3: Deposit Funds  

If you haven’t already, find a promo code – this may not apply to all. Select a payment method, enter the details and your stake, and confirm. 

Step 4: Enjoy Casino-Style Gambling   

Your funds should’ve arrived within seconds; you can now choose from the many online slots and other games and start playing immediately. 

FAQs – Online Casino Gambling in Montana