Montana Lottery Won't Appeal Rejection of Sport Betting Rule

BILLINGS — The Montana Lottery has decided not to appeal a judge’s ruling that allows businesses without alcoholic beverage licenses to offer sports betting, lottery spokesperson Jennifer McKee said.

“Removing one section of just one part of our licensing requirements doesn’t meaningfully disrupt the entire foundation,” McKee told The Billings Gazette.

The Montana Legislature authorized sports wagering in 2019. The Montana Lottery set rules for businesses that could offer sports betting and required that they have an alcohol beverage license.

Under Montana law, businesses must have an alcoholic beverage license before offering video gambling machines, live card games and sports pool boards.

Attorney Lyndon Scheveck filed the lawsuit over the sports wagering rules through a Billings investment company called Arete Group. He has said he hopes to open a business that offers sports betting.

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