Revise fantasy sports laws
SB 551 would establish a licensing system for online fantasy sports companies operating in Montana, requiring them to obtain approval from the Department of Justice. It defines "fantasy sports contests" as skill-based games where outcomes depend on player knowledge (not chance), mandates background checks for applicants, and sets fees for licensing and criminal background investigations. The bill also creates tax rules based on "internet fantasy sports contest adjusted revenues" and requires companies to maintain records for audits. This bill died in committee in May 2025 and did not become law.
Bill status
died
2 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
Senate Failed
Apr 2025
Governor
Introduced Mar 26, 2025
Last action May 23, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
LC0706.pdf
→
SB0551_1.pdf
·
2 edits
MINOR
The bill was renumbered from LC 0706 to SB 551, indicating it moved from a committee or legislative committee version to a Senate bill version. The primary substantive change is the addition of specific sponsors (F. Mandeville, W. Galt, K. Bogner, M. Regier, C. Schomer) and the document was updated to an 'Authorized Print Version.' No substantive policy changes to the gambling laws or fantasy sports definitions were identified in this diff.
TECHNICAL
Bill number changed from LC 0706 to SB 551 and document title updated to Authorized Print Version.
Specific sponsors (F. Mandeville, W. Galt, K. Bogner, M. Regier, C. Schomer) were added to the bill introduction line.
Floor votes · Senate Apr 4, 2025
How they voted
23–25
Failed · 2 other
Total votes 50
Apr 4, 2025
D
Democratic18
55% Yea
R
Republican32
56% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
22
Key actions
0
Committee
1
Amendments
1
Apr 4, 2025
Vote failed
Senate Vote: fail (23-25-2)
senate
Apr 2, 2025
Amended
(S) Tabled in Committee - (S) Business, Labor and Economic Affairs
upper
Mar 26, 2025
Committee
(S) Referred to Committee - (S) Business, Labor and Economic Affairs
upper
Mar 26, 2025
Introduced
(S) Introduced
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Forrest Mandeville
RRepublican
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