Senate Bill No. introduced by V. Ricci aims to revise Montana's gambling laws by updating the definition of "internet gambling" to explicitly include online casinos and cryptocurrency. The bill establishes that online casinos that allow the use of any form of currency, including cryptocurrency, are prohibited, while those that do not permit any currency usage are allowed. Additionally, the bill amends several sections of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) to clarify the disposal of fines collected for gambling law violations, which will now be directed to the operating budget of the Department of Justice instead of the state general fund.

Furthermore, the bill revises criminal penalties related to illegal gambling activities, elevating certain violations to felony status. Specifically, it introduces harsher penalties for individuals who knowingly operate illegal internet gambling sites within the state, including those using offshore sources. The amendments also include the revocation of licenses for individuals convicted of felony violations under the gambling laws, thereby tightening regulations and enforcement against illegal gambling activities in Montana.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 23-5-112, 23-5-123, 23-5-154, 23-5-162
SB0555_1(1): 23-5-112, 23-5-123, 23-5-154, 23-5-162
SB0555_1: 23-5-112, 23-5-123, 23-5-154, 23-5-162