Montana Bill to Allow Living History Organizations to Offer Antique Gambling

A new bill in Montana seeks to legalize charity antique gambling, permitting living history nonprofits to host charity gaming events. Inspired by the romanticized Wild West, the initiative would allow gamblers to relive the past.

Wild West Casino Nights Would Allow Gamblers to Relive the Past

As charity gaming initiatives usually require a specific theme, the mastermind behind Senate Bill 179, Senator Forrest Mandeville, chose the Wild West. The measure was filed in the Senate’s Business, Labor, and Economic Affairs committee. If passed, it would create a new fundraiser called Wild West Casino Nights.

According to SB 179, Wild West Casino Nights would be a fundraising event during which players can wager on antique gambling activities. These would include devices manufactured before 1994 and devices that are older than 30 years at the time of the event. The events would also allow devices that replicate machines from 1877 or earlier.

In addition to old-school gaming machines, Wild West Casino Nights would also permit table games, such as baccarat and blackjack.

All games will use imitation money which players would be able to get or purchase during the event. Prizes, however, could include both merchandise and cash.

The bill would create licenses for Wild West Casino Nights. Eligible applicants would include nonprofit living history organizations, individual living history volunteers, or history reenacting organizations. In addition to offering entertainment, these events would therefore serve an educational function.

Other Bills Seek to Change Montana Gaming

Another bill in the Montana Senate (SB 153), on the other hand, would liberalize electronic gaming by raising the maximum stake from $2 to $4. As a result, the maximum prize would also increase, reaching $1,199 (currently $800). The unorthodox max win figure in the proposal has been selected to be just below the $1,200 threshold, over which players have to fill in a tax form.  

In the meantime, a separate bill seeks to upgrade the safeguards of video poker terminals in the Treasure State. Sponsored by Representative Kelly Kortum, House Bill 204 would change the responsible gambling rules, requiring poker machines to display educational materials on addiction.

In addition to that, the proposal would require operators to put gambling hotline phone numbers on their machines, allowing struggling players to find help quickly.

Montana Cardroom Murderer Sent to Prison

Speaking of gambling in Montana, the state recently sent a brutal cardroom murderer to prison. The man in question was visiting Four Aces Bar in Superior with his wife when he got irritated and quarreled with her.

He proceeded to exit the property, saying he was going for a smoke. Instead, he retrieved a firearm and returned to shoot her dead. After that, the man also shot several rounds at a bartender who passed away from his wounds.