HB 639 Montana House · 2025 Regular Session

Generally revise gambling laws

House Bill 639 aimed to generally revise existing gambling laws in the state. The bill proposed to expand the definition of "internet gambling" to include online casinos and transactions involving cryptocurrency. It also sought to revise the procedures for how fines collected from gambling violations are disposed of, directing them to the Department of Justice. Additionally, the legislation intended to update the criminal penalties associated with gambling offenses, affecting individuals and entities involved in gambling activities.
Bill status died 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
House Passage
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Feb 21, 2025 Last action May 20, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

LC0888.pdf HB0639_1.pdf · 2 edits
MINOR
The bill was renumbered from LC 0888 to HB 639.1 and updated to reflect the 69th Legislature. A new definition for 'House player' was added to clarify who is considered a participant in a card game with a financial stake, which is essential for regulating gambling activities.
Scope change
The bill's scope was expanded by adding a specific definition for 'House player' to clarify eligibility and participation rules in card games.
DEFINITION

Added a new definition for 'House player' to specify a person participating in a card game with a financial relationship.

TECHNICAL

Updated bill number from LC 0888 to HB 639.1 and adjusted the title and header information.

Floor votes · House Mar 6, 2025

How they voted

8217
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 100
Mar 6, 2025
D Democratic42
25 Yea 17 Nay
59% Yea
R Republican58
57 Yea 1
98% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
27
Key actions
3
Committee
3
Mar 6, 2025
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (82-17-1)
house
Mar 1, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Committee Report - (H) Business and Labor
lower
Feb 25, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Committee Executive Action - (H) Business and Labor
lower
Feb 22, 2025
Committee
(H) Referred to Committee - (H) Business and Labor
lower
Feb 21, 2025
Introduced
(H) Introduced
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Mike Vinton
Mike Vinton
RRepublican
MT
40