HELENA – The Montana House has endorsed a bill that would legalize sports betting in the state.
The House voted 90-10 Friday to approve the measure that would put the Montana Lottery in charge of sports gambling. It must pass a final vote before it goes to the Senate.
Lottery officials would issue licenses to operate sports betting facilities, terminals and internet applications, under the bill.
The revenue would be added to lottery profits that go to the state treasury and education scholarships.
The Senate Finance and Claims Committee on Friday heard a separate bill to have the state Department of Justice regulate sports gambling.
The U.S. Supreme Court struck down a federal law last year that made most sports gambling illegal. Montana is one of dozens of states now considering laws to regulate betting.