Source: https://www.gamingregulation.com/regulation/united-states/montana/tribal-gaming/
Timestamp: 2019-04-18 16:19:54+00:00

Document:
The state of Montana offers limited commercial gaming as well as tribal casino gaming. These activities are regulated by the Gambling Control Division (“Division”), a subsection of the state Department of Justice. Authorized commercial gaming includes poker, raffles, bingo, keno, and other similar games. The Division also works with local tribal gaming agencies to enforce state-tribal compact agreements governing tribal gaming in the state. As of 2011, there are 14 tribal gaming facilities in the state that offer primarily Class II gaming and Class III slot machines and poker rooms.
In addition, Montana is one of only four states authorized to offer a form of sports wagering under the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992. As such, sports pools, fantasy sports games, and sports tabs wagering are legal in the state. For more information regarding Montana’s sports wagering activities, please visit the Montana Lottery’s website at http://montanalottery.com/.
An annual $1,000 licensing fee is associated with the license.3 There is an additional $1,000 licensing fee for each initial application.
Key individuals associated with a manufacturer or distributor license applicant must complete Form 10 – Personal/Criminal History Statement. These individuals include owners, shareholders holding over 5% of a publicly traded applicant, partners, managers involved with the gaming activity, officers, directors, and those having an option to purchase the applicant’s business.
While there is no independent fee associated with an individual, the business with which the applicant is associated is responsible for all reasonable investigation costs associated with the review of the completed corporate and individual applications.
In addition, a fingerprint card with a separate processing fee must be submitted for each key individual listed above.
Although several tribes operate gaming facilities in the state, tribal-state compacts do not establish independent licensing requirements or procedures for suppliers of gambling equipment. However, compacts typically require that all equipment meet federal NIGC and Montana state technical standards.
In addition, some compacts require that manufacturers and distributors of gaming equipment be licensed through the state in addition to any tribal licensing requirements. Although tribes may adopt the state licensing process, they may also establish independent licensing requirements in addition to or instead of the state process. Therefore, it is important to work with the local tribal gaming commission in assessing the licensing requirements for suppliers to any particular tribal gaming establishment.
In addition to tribal gaming commission requirements, electronic games of chance and other similar games must meet National Indian Gaming Commission standards, including the requirement that equipment be examined and approved by an independent testing laboratory in accordance with individual tribal ordinances.10 Tribal-state compacts may also contain additional technical requirements related to gaming machines.
1Mont. Code Ann. § 23-5-112(13).
2Mont. Code Ann. § 23-5-128; see also Mont. Admin. Register § 23-16-1916; Mont. Admin. Register § 23-16-2001.
3Mont. Code Ann. § 23-5-128; see also Mont. Admin. Register § 23-16-1916; Mont. Admin. Register § 23-16-2001.
4Form 17 – Manufacturer/Distributor/Route Operator/ Associated Gambling Business License Application.
5Form 17 – Manufacturer/Distributor/Route Operator/ Associated Gambling Business License Application.
6Form 10 – Personal/Criminal History Statement.
7Mont. Stat. Ann. § 23-5-631.
8Mont. Stat. Ann. § 23-5-631.
9Mont. Admin. Register § 23-19-1901 et seq.
10See 25 CFR 542, 547.

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