When Governor Steve Bullock two weeks ago vetoed one of two sports betting bills that was placed on his desk, that appeared to settle the matter.
However Senator Mark Blasdel, author of the bill that Bullock vetoed, is not taking no for an answer. He is trying to drum up enough support in the legislature to overturn Bullock’s veto and allow the state a two pronged approach to sports betting.
The governor said the sports betting market was too immature for this approach, but Bullock, who is a caterer most of the time, except for the few weeks when he serves in the legislature, disagrees.
Bullock favored the state lottery being in charge of sports betting, rather than having it available at myriad retail operations.
Blasdel’s bill allows for sports betting in kiosks place at various approved locations around the state. If the veto is overturned it is quite possible for bettors to find competing kiosks at the same location.
Because the legislature passed Blasdel’s bill by more than a two-thirds majority, Montana law is automatically set up for an override vote. The process began last week. It is done by mail ballot because Montana’s session is so short, just 87 days.
Blasdel isn’t too optimistic that his bill will survive this vote. He told Sports Handle, “I have not seen one pass in seven sessions. I’ll reach out to a few people. I’d like to get to some of the people who are just typically anti-gambling to explain it to them, and maybe get a couple.”
Once lawmakers get the mail ballot they have 30 days to consider what to do.
One challenge, said Blasdel, is that at least some legislators won’t return the ballot. That counts as a “no” vote.
