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Montana Senate committee hears competing views on bill to legalize online fantasy sports
Summary
Senate Bill 551 would license and tax online fantasy sports platforms, give the Department of Justice rulemaking authority, set a $5,000 initial license fee and an 18+ age limit, and is opposed by Montana gaming and tavern groups who say it effectively legalizes online sports wagering and could harm in‑state businesses. The DOJ provided a fiscal estimate of roughly $2 million in start‑up costs and about $27,000 in early annual revenue.
Senators on the Montana Senate Business and Labor Committee heard sharply divided testimony on Senate Bill 551, a measure that would allow online fantasy‑sports participation in Montana and set a licensing and tax framework for vendors.
Sponsor Senator Forrest Mandeville said the bill treats fantasy sports as a "game of skill" rather than gambling and pointed senators to statutory definitions in the draft. He described features including a requirement that prize values be "established and made known in advance," an initial license fee of $5,000, an 18‑year age minimum, and rulemaking authority for the Department of Justice to determine eligibility,…
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