Montana Race Wagering

Betting in Montana consists of ontrack betting and simulcasting of dog and horse races.

Pari-mutuel wagering on live horse and simulcast races is regulated by the Montana Board of Horse Racing (MBHR) within the Montana Department of Commerce. The MBHR is funded with state revenue derived from a 1% tax on live pari-mutuel wagering gross receipts. For simulcast facilities, the tax assessed is the larger of 1% of gross betting receipts or the actual cost to the MBHR for regulating the meet. A licensee for pari-mutuel wagering may retain 20% of the total amount wagered on each race and breakage.

The MBHR approves and licenses locations around the state to offer offtrack betting on live horse racing in North America. Montana Simulcast Racing LLC, from Missoula, provides offtrack betting at seven locations throughout the state year-round.

In May 2007, legislators passed a bill (HB390) that allowed advance deposit wagering (ADW), or telephone account wagering, on internet horse racing in Montana. It is illegal for a company to accept wagers from Montana residents without an annual license from the MBHR. There are four companies licensed in Montana for ADW: Day at the Track, eBet Technologies, TVG and Xpressbet. These ADW companies are required to pay a source market fee to Montana to help fund live racetracks in the state.

During the 2007 legislative session, a bill (HB616) was passed that authorized pari-mutuel facilities to offer pari-mutuel wagering on fantasy sports leagues. An individual or organization must be licensed as an operator by the MBHR before conducting or accepting wagers on pari-mutuel fantasy sports. The bill was effective on 1 July 2007.