Three competing sports betting bills have been introduced in the Montana legislature, which has a legislative calendar of only 80 days.
Since the Supreme Court in May lifted the ban that was imposed in 1992 by PASPA (Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act) states have been lining up to consider bills legalizing it. Montana was one of the four states that was not covered by the ban. The others were Nevada, Oregon and Delaware.
Fifty-year veteran sportscaster Brent Musburger, who is now managing editor of Vegas States and Information Network, told Montana Sports why the state didn’t offer sports betting when it had every right to: “Montana was grandfathered in. They could have done it, but the NCAA basically put a gun to their head and said you won’t have any more championship events in Missoula or Bozeman if you go ahead and legalize it, and the legislature wilted.”
Now that the Supreme Court has lifted the federal ban, Montana is considering a bill to legalize sports book.
Kirk Dehler owner of the Enterprise casino in Billings, which offers parimutuel wagering, says he hopes it does.
“It’s been a really good thing to get people in the door, just having that niche that gets people in the door and keeps them around,” he said. “I’ve known a lot of people that have actually called here and asked, ‘Do you guys have sports betting?’”
