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Can I offer contests that involve a single game or event in Montana? What are the requirements?

Yes, you can offer contests that involve a single game or event in Montana. However, the requirements vary depending on the type of contest you want to offer. Here are the requirements for each type:

Raffle or Lottery Game

If you want to offer a raffle or lottery game in Montana, you must follow the rules set by the Montana Lottery Commission. Only a nonprofit organization, a college, a university, a public school district, or a nonpublic school may sponsor and offer a 50/50 raffle. All 50/50 raffles are subject to certain restrictions, including that the drawing must occur and the winner must be identified on the date advertised to the public and established in the sponsor’s rules. Proceeds from the raffle must be divided between the winner and the sponsor and may not include a percentage of ticket sales for administrative expenses or other fees payable to any third party. [1.1][2.1]

Small-Stakes Card Game Tournaments

If you want to conduct small-stakes card game tournaments in Montana, you must be a licensed operator with a permit to operate at least one live card game table on premises. You may apply to the department for an annual permit to conduct small-stakes card game tournaments. The only consideration that may be paid to participate in a small-stakes card game tournament is a single entry fee which must be paid before the start of the tournament, and may under no circumstances exceed $80. No other fees or costs may be assessed to participate in a small-stakes tournament. Small-stakes card game tournaments may only be conducted on permitted card tables, plus one additional card table used only for small-stakes tournament play. Small-stakes card game tournament permit holder may conduct a small-stakes card game tournament for charitable purposes. [3.1]

Sports Tab Game

If you want to conduct a sports tab game in Montana, you must follow the rules set by the Montana Lottery Commission. A sports tab game may be conducted as a traditional sports tab game in conjunction with a single sports event with two competitors, or as a series sports tab game. Before the sale of any sports tabs in a sports tab game, the sponsor shall describe the game by prominently displaying the following information on the sports tab card or on a board to which the card is attached. After sale of the sports tabs begins, the sponsor may not cancel the sports tab game or alter the game in any manner; and shall award all prizes only at the conclusion of the single sports event in a traditional sports tab game, or at the conclusion of all sports events in a series sports tab game, in accordance with the description required under (2), regardless of whether all sports tabs on the sports tab card are sold to participants before the start of the sports event. Winners may be determined by the score at predetermined intervals during the event as long as there is also a winner and prize awarded based upon the score attained at the conclusion of the event. If any prize is to be awarded for a score attained at a predetermined interval during a sports event, the value of any such prize may not exceed the value of the prize to be awarded for the score at the conclusion of the event. [4.2][4.3]

Fishing Contest

If you want to sponsor a fishing contest on a body of water open to public fishing in Montana, you must submit an application to the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Contest sponsors must provide documentation that they have approval to use each fishing access site not under the ownership or control of the department that is listed in the application. Contest sponsors are responsible for notifying participants of any public safety concerns associated with the contest. Contest sponsors are responsible for notifying participants that boats and trailers must be cleaned before and after the contest to prevent transport and introduction of aquatic nuisance species. [5.1]

Therefore, depending on the type of contest you want to offer, you must follow the rules set by the Montana Lottery Commission, be a licensed operator with a permit to operate at least one live card game table on premises, or submit an application to the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

Source(s):
Jurisdiction

Montana