DraftKings & FanDuel
in Montana
Short answer: they don't work here. Montana is the only US state with a true sports betting monopoly — the Montana Lottery has exclusive rights, and every commercial sportsbook blocks Montana traffic. Here is the full picture.
TL;DR
- DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, ESPN BET, Fanatics — all blocked in Montana.
- Reason: Montana law (HB 725, 2019) grants the Montana Lottery a complete monopoly. No commercial sports betting licenses exist.
- Legal alternative: Sports Bet Montana — the state-run sportsbook, available at 1,000+ retail locations.
- DFS (DraftKings DFS, PrizePicks, Underdog): also illegal and blocked.
- Prediction markets (Kalshi, Polymarket): banned by SB 555 (2025).
- VPN workarounds: violate every sportsbook's terms of service. Accounts get closed and winnings voided.
Why Commercial Sportsbooks Cannot Operate in Montana
It is not that DraftKings and FanDuel refuse to enter — it is that Montana law leaves no path for them.
Most US states that legalised sports betting after the 2018 Supreme Court ruling chose a commercial model: state regulators issue licences, multiple operators compete, and customers benefit from promo wars and tight odds. New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Colorado are classic examples.
Montana went the opposite direction. House Bill 725 (signed May 3, 2019) granted the Montana Lottery exclusive rights to operate sports betting. There is no licensing framework for commercial operators. Even if DraftKings or FanDuel wanted to apply, there is nothing to apply for.
Governor Steve Bullock made the position clear by also vetoing Senate Bill 330 the same week — a bill that would have created the commercial competition path. In 2025, the lottery's exclusive technology contract was renewed with Intralot for another seven years, locking in the monopoly through 2032.
What's Blocked in Montana
Every major commercial sports betting and daily-fantasy app blocks Montana users via geolocation. Here is the full list.
| App | Category | Status | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings Sportsbook | Sportsbook | Blocked | No commercial license possible under HB 725 |
| FanDuel Sportsbook | Sportsbook | Blocked | No commercial license possible under HB 725 |
| BetMGM | Sportsbook | Blocked | No commercial license possible under HB 725 |
| Caesars Sportsbook | Sportsbook | Blocked | No commercial license possible under HB 725 |
| ESPN BET | Sportsbook | Blocked | No commercial license possible under HB 725 |
| Fanatics Sportsbook | Sportsbook | Blocked | No commercial license possible under HB 725 |
| DraftKings DFS | DFS | Blocked | DFS not authorised in Montana |
| FanDuel DFS | DFS | Blocked | DFS not authorised in Montana |
| PrizePicks | DFS | Blocked | DFS not authorised in Montana |
| Underdog Fantasy | DFS | Blocked | DFS not authorised in Montana |
| Kalshi | Prediction Market | Blocked | SB 555 (2025) banned prediction markets |
The Geolocation Block
If you have an existing DraftKings or FanDuel account and you cross into Montana, here is what to expect.
Commercial sportsbooks use a combination of GPS, Wi-Fi positioning, IP address, and sometimes a dedicated geolocation plug-in (GeoComply is the industry standard) to determine your physical location. When you open the app inside Montana, the location check fails and you see something like:
"We're sorry — DraftKings Sportsbook is not yet available in your state. Check back soon."
You cannot place a bet. You cannot withdraw a bonus. Pending bets placed in another state remain on your account but you cannot interact with them. As soon as you leave Montana, the app works again.
Your existing account does not get closed simply because you spent time in Montana. The accounts that get closed are those flagged for VPN use or other geolocation circumvention.
Don't Use a VPN
Using a VPN to spoof your location is the most common workaround proposed online — and the worst idea. Every commercial sportsbook in the US uses VPN-detection alongside geolocation. Detection results in:
- Immediate account suspension
- Voided winnings (often including legitimate winnings from other states)
- Forfeiture of any balance held by the operator
- Permanent ban from re-registering
In some US jurisdictions, using a VPN to place bets on a licensed sportsbook also constitutes wire fraud. The downside is enormous and the upside is essentially zero — sportsbooks are very good at this, and Sports Bet Montana exists as a legal alternative anyway.
What to Use Instead
Sports Bet Montana is the only legal option. It is operated by the Montana Lottery on the Intralot Orion platform, and it is available at 1,000+ retail locations across the state — bars, restaurants, casinos, and convenience stores. The app lets you build bet slips from home, but the wager itself must be confirmed via geolocation at a licensed retailer.
It is genuinely different from DraftKings or FanDuel:
- No sign-up bonus, no promo codes, no boosted "Bet $5, Win $200" offers.
- Lower limits — $250 retail, $1,000 mobile.
- Less competitive odds than commercial books, on average.
- 18+ age minimum — lower than most other states (21+).
- Retail-only confirmation — no betting from your couch.
What Could Reopen Montana to Commercial Sportsbooks
Short answer: nothing in the foreseeable future.
A change would require:
- Legislative action to repeal or amend HB 725.
- A new licensing framework for commercial operators.
- Termination or expiration of the Intralot contract (locked in through 2032).
- Governor's signature — and Governor Gianforte's 2025 record (SB 555) suggests an even more restrictive direction.
The political reality: Montana's monopoly model is firmly entrenched. There is no active bill to open up the market, and the state legislature meets only every two years. Realistically, commercial sportsbooks are at least four to six years away from any Montana entry — if it happens at all.
DraftKings & FanDuel Montana FAQ
Can I use DraftKings in Montana?
No. DraftKings Sportsbook is not available in Montana. The app and website block any user whose location is detected inside the state. This is because Montana law grants the Montana Lottery (via Sports Bet Montana) an exclusive monopoly on sports betting — no commercial operators are licensed.
Can I use FanDuel in Montana?
No. FanDuel Sportsbook is also blocked in Montana for the same reason. Both DraftKings and FanDuel use geolocation to detect Montana users and prevent any wagers from being placed.
Why are DraftKings and FanDuel not in Montana?
Montana chose a government-run monopoly model when it legalised sports betting. House Bill 725 (2019) granted the Montana Lottery exclusive rights to operate sports betting. A competing bill that would have allowed commercial operators (SB 330) was vetoed by Governor Steve Bullock the same week.
Will DraftKings or FanDuel ever launch in Montana?
Not under current law. The Montana Lottery signed a new 7-year contract with Intralot in 2025, locking in the monopoly model through 2032. Any change would require new legislation to repeal or amend HB 725.
Can I use a VPN to access DraftKings or FanDuel from Montana?
No, and you should not try. Using a VPN to circumvent geolocation violates the terms of service of every commercial sportsbook. Detected accounts are closed, balances forfeited, and winnings voided. In some states it may also constitute fraud.
What about DraftKings DFS and FanDuel DFS?
Also blocked. Daily Fantasy Sports is explicitly illegal in Montana, so DraftKings DFS, FanDuel DFS, and similar platforms (PrizePicks, Underdog) cannot accept Montana users either.
What can I use instead in Montana?
Sports Bet Montana — the state lottery sportsbook — is the only legal option. You can download the app, register from anywhere, deposit funds, and prepare bet slips. To actually place a wager you must be physically inside one of 1,000+ licensed retailers (bars, restaurants, casinos).
Can I bet on DraftKings when travelling outside Montana?
Yes. Residency is not what matters — physical location is. If you cross into a state where DraftKings is legal (e.g. Wyoming, Colorado, Arizona), you can register and bet there. Just remember any active wagers and accounts remain subject to that state's rules.