Montana lawmakers to debate sports betting
For state lawmakers, sports betting in Montana is one of the hottest topics at the moment and are set to debate a proposal to legalise it.
US.- After the Supreme Court struck PASPA down, the potential to expand gambling turned into one of the main topics in the country. Sports betting in Montana may soon arrive as lawmakers will debate a recently introduced bill that would take on the segment’s liberalisation and legalise the segment.
Representative Ryan Lynch introduced House Bill 725 and state lawmakers will discuss it in the short term. The bill would give the Montana Lottery the power to control sports betting in Montana, either through land-based, online and mobile versions.
The proposal is known as the Sports Wagering Lottery Amendment of 2019, and may soon pass. It would allow specific sports betting venues to open at licensed businesses, like bars and restaurants.
The bill doesn’t clarify how much licences will cost or the taxation regime. However, it would set a new lottery and sports wagering commission would oversee the market and locations at whicch it may be sold.
Republican Sen. Mark Blasdel is pushing another bill as he wants to join in the market. A legislative committee already heard testimony on the proposal. It aims to get only bars with full liquor licences to be able to offer sports betting in Montana.
The Montana Senate Business, Labor and Economic Affairs committee heard supporters of the bill. They explained sportsbook companies would install the equipment in bars and be in charge of the computerised wagering. The state would take in 8.5% on adjusted gross betting receipts, and bars a 5% of the net income.
Neil Peterson, executive director of the Gaming Industry of Montana, said: “To maximize revenue: allow mobile betting to happen on a statewide basis.” He also voiced his concern over the capability of businesses to pay sportsbooks.
