Types of games allowed
Pub Date: 1/1/2003
Types of Gambling Under Gambling Control Division Jurisdiction
The Gambling Control Division's jurisdiction extends to all forms of gambling except the Montana Lottery and horse racing.* The following sections describe the games regulated by the Division:
Video gambling machines - A video gambling machine is an electronic gambling device that, upon insertion of cash, is available to play poker, keno, or bingo. The machines use a video display and microprocessors in which by the skill of the player, by chance, or both the player may receive free games or credits that may be redeemed for cash.
Live card games - Montana law authorizes 10 card games: bridge, cribbage, hearts, panguingue, pinochle, pitch, poker, rummy, solo, and whist. These are non-banking card games in which players bet against and settle with each other rather than betting against and settling with the house.
Live bingo - Live bingo is played on a card bearing a printed design of five columns of five squares each, 25 squares in all. The letters B-I-N-G-O must appear above the design, with each letter above one of the columns. No more than 75 numbers may be used. One number must appear in each square, except for the center square, which may be considered a free play. Numbers are randomly drawn using authorized equipment until the game is won by the person or persons who first cover a previously designated arrangement of numbers on the bingo card.
Live keno - Live keno is played with a card containing eight horizontal rows and 10 columns on which a player may pick up to 10 numbers. A keno caller, using authorized equipment, selects at random at least 20 numbers out of the numbers between one and 80, inclusive. A player may win prizes by matching the numbers selected in whole or in part.
Sports pools - In a sports pool, a participant wagers money for a chance to win cash or other prizes based on the outcome of a sports event or series of sports events wherein the competitors are natural persons or animals. Several variations of sports pools are legal including the traditional sports pool, series sports pool, multiple way sports pool, selected point sports pool, blackout sports pool, weekly sweepstakes sports pool, and multiple competitor sports pool.
Sports tab games - A sports tab game is conducted on a card with 100 sports tabs attached. A sports tab is a folded or banded ticket with a face covered to conceal a combination of two numbers, with each number ranging from zero through nine. Each tab has a pair of numbers. A person may purchase a sports tab from the card for the chance to win cash or other prizes based on the outcome of a sports event. A winner or winners are determined by matching the appropriate numbers on a participant sports tab with the only or last digit of the competitors' score at the end of the sports event, and if designated before the event by the game's sponsor, at intervals during the sports event.
Raffles - A raffle is a gambling activity in which a participant purchases a ticket for a chance to win a prize through a random selection process. Church and nonprofit raffles are regulated by the county commission in the county where the raffle is conducted.
Calcutta pools - A Calcutta pool is a form of auction pool conducted in conjunction with an event involving more than two competitors. Participants in the pool bid on the event's competitors, and a participant's wager is equal to his or her bid. The highest bid "purchases" the competitor, and pool proceeds are divided among participants according to a competitor's performance in the event.
Casino nights - A casino night is a fund-raising event conducted by a nonprofit organization during which wagers are made in certain gambling activities using imitation money. Only live card games that are legal in the state, live bingo, live keno, and raffles may be conducted during a casino night.
Fantasy sports leagues - A fantasy sports league consists of a limited number of persons or groups who pay an entrance fee for membership in the league. Each league member creates a fictitious team composed of athletes from a given professional sport. Each team then competes against the other teams in the league. Points are awarded to a team according to the performance of individual players or teams or both during a designated time period. A member may be eligible to receive a payout, which may be in cash or merchandise, based on the number of points accumulated.
Shake-a-day - Shake-a-day is a gambling activity in which a customer may once each day wager an amount of money, not to exceed 50 cents, and shake a number of dice in an attempt to roll a certain combination simulating a poker hand predetermined by the establishment. If the combination is rolled, the customer wins all money paid to play the game since the last winning combination was rolled.
Shaking for drinks or music - Shaking for a drink or music is a gambling activity in which a customer shakes or chooses one or more dice, alone or with an owner or employee of an establishment, to determine whether the customer or establishment will pay for the customer's drink or pay a predetermined amount of money, not to exceed $2, for music from a jukebox.
Fishing derbies - In a fishing derby, two or more persons pay valuable consideration for an opportunity to win a prize for the species, size, weight, or otherwise specified fish caught in a fishing event.
Wagering on natural occurrences - Wagering on a natural occurrence is a gambling activity in which a person pays valuable consideration for an opportunity to win a prize by most accurately predicting the date and time of an event resulting from a climatologically or meteorological activity.
* The Montana Lottery and horse racing are under the jurisdiction of the Montana Lottery Commission and the Board of Horse Racing, respectively.
Source: Montana Department of Justice Gambling Control Division .
Note: Montana video keno and poker gaming machines (non-tribal) will allow a maximum wager of $2 and a maximum payout of $800. Slot machines are illegal in Montana, as is blackjack, roulette, craps and all other forms of "traditional casino games."