Montana governor signs sports betting bill

HELENA, Mont. — Montana became the first state to legalize sports betting this year after Gov. Steve Bullock signed a bill Friday for the state lottery to oversee a system of wagering through kiosks and mobile applications that could be running by fall.

Montana is at the head of a wave of states passing legislation this year to allow gambling on sports, and it becomes the seventh state to legalize the practice since the U.S. Supreme Court allowed it nationwide last year.

Tennessee’s governor will allow a bill in that state to become law without his signature. Bills passed by lawmakers in Iowa and Indiana are awaiting action by the governors.

Colorado’s Legislature on Friday approved a ballot question that will ask voters this fall if sports gambling should be legalized there.

The Montana law became effective immediately, and supporters expect to move quickly to get the system operating. The bill’s sponsor, Democratic Rep. Ryan Lynch, said the goal is to have it running by the start of the football season in September.

“It’s a good day for Montana to be able to see sports betting in the marketplace,” Lynch said. “I think Montanans will enjoy the new aspect of watching sports for entertainment as well as betting on it.”

The bill allows licensed bars and restaurants to have kiosks and mobile applications that can only be used inside those establishments.