67th Legislature HB 193.1
1 HOUSE BILL NO. 193
2 INTRODUCED BY J. PATELIS
3
4 A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: “AN ACT REMOVING LIMITATIONS RELATING TO SPORTS POOLS AND
5 SPORTS TABS; REMOVING DOLLAR LIMITATIONS ON THE AMOUNTS OF SPORTS TABS SOLD AND
6 WINNINGS; AND AMENDING SECTION 23-5-503, MCA.”
7
8 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
9
10 Section 1. Section 23-5-503, MCA, is amended to read:
11 "23-5-503. Rules. (1) (a) The card or other device used for recording the sports pool or sports tab
12 game must clearly indicate in advance of the sale of any chances:
13 (i) the number of chances to be sold in that specific pool;
14 (ii) the name of the event or series of events;
15 (iii) the consideration to be paid for each chance; and
16 (iv) the total amount or percentage to be paid to the winners.
17 (b) The sports tabs must be purchased from a sports tab game seller licensed under 23-5-513.
18 (2) (a) Each sports tab must be sold for the same amount, which may not exceed $25. A chance to
19 participate in a sports pool may be sold in any combination so long as each chance is for the same amount and
20 not greater than $100 and the total amount paid to all winners of any individual sports pool does not exceed the
21 value of $2,500. The There is no limit on the dollar amount for a sports pool and sports tab, including the total
22 amount paid to all winners of any individual sports tab game may not exceed the value of $2,500.
23 (b) Chances for a series of events may be purchased all at once prior to the occurrence of the first
24 event.
25 (3) (a) Except as provided in subsections (3)(b) and (3)(c), the winners of any sports pool must
26 receive a 100% payout of the value of the sports pool. The winner of a sports tab game must receive at least
27 90% of the total cost of the 100 sports tabs. The operator of the sports tab game may retain the remaining
28 money for administration and other expenses.
-1- Authorized Print Version – HB 193
67th Legislature HB 193.1
1 (b) A nonprofit organization, licensed as a gambling operator, that maintains records and opens the
2 records to inspection upon reasonable demand to verify that the retained portion is used to support charitable
3 activities, scholarships or educational grants, or community service projects may retain up to 50% of the value
4 of a sports pool or a sports tab game.
5 (c) A licensed gambling operator may conduct a sports pool or sports tab game to support a named
6 nonprofit organization and may donate up to 50% of the value of the sports pool or sports tab game to the
7 nonprofit organization.
8 (4) A licensed gambling operator conducting a sports pool or a sports tab game may purchase
9 chances or sports tabs to participate in the sports pool or sports tab game but may not:
10 (a) retain any portion of the amount wagered in the sports pool or sports tab game, except as
11 provided in subsection (3)(b);
12 (b) charge a fee for participating in the sports pool or sports tab game; or
13 (c) use the sports pool or sports tab game in any manner to establish odds or handicaps or to allow
14 betting or booking."
15 - END -
-2- Authorized Print Version – HB 193


Statutes affected:
HB0193_1.pdf: 23-5-503
HB0193_2.pdf: 23-5-503
HB0193_3.pdf: 23-5-503
HB0193_X.pdf: 23-5-503
Amended: 23-5-503
Introduced: 23-5-503