How Online Casinos Are Making Waves in Great Falls and Around Montana

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With online gambling continuing to expand, Montanans are getting creative about gaming, from cell phone slots to poker parties on tablets. So, what does this do for Great Falls? 

Montana has never really had an easy relationship with gambling. From keno in corner bars to machines shoved in the rear of convenience store counters, the state has for years tangoed between laissez-faire and regulation. Recently, however, a new kind of gambling has started to burn, online casinos. And here in Great Falls, where the Missouri River flows a bit more slowly and folks still greet each other on 10th Avenue South, the online casino trend is gaining speed.

It is a quiet revolution, really. No flashing neon signs, no floor covered in clinking machines, just people with a smartphone and a few spare minutes browsing the world of online roulette, blackjack, slots and so on. Montana's quirky gambling legislation adds a couple of twists to the story, but there's no avoiding the reality that the business of online casinos is growing. And Great Falls is at the heart of that story.

The lay of the land: Montana gambling laws

Let's set something straight upfront: Online casinos in Montana are not precisely the same thing as online casinos in places like New Jersey or Michigan, where online gaming is fully legal and regulated. Online gambling involving real money casinos is technically still verboten in Montana. But that does not keep Montanans away.

Allowed in this case is a relatively robust framework of on-premises electronic gaming machines, think video poker and keno, as long as they're regulated and licensed. For online gaming, residents play on sweepstakes-style casinos or offshore sites that accept U.S. players. They are in a legal gray area but accessible and readily used. And since the state is being so soft on social gaming and fantasy sports, it's no surprise that more individuals are comfortable venturing out into digital channels.

Why Great Falls is paying attention

In Great Falls, not just night owls and boresome retirees are fueling this trend. A significant percentage of young adults are also dipping their toes into online gambling. Some of it is convenient, you don't have to go drive to Billings or Missoula to get casino action. Just pull out your phone while waiting in line at Morning Light Coffee and you've got a full Vegas-style casino at your fingertips.

The other offender? Boredom. Cascade County winters are long and cold, and with less amusement in the cold months, some online gaming can be a sire's call. It's fantasy football, but slots. Local Facebook communities and Reddit sub-forums have even appeared with people sharing strategies, uploading pictures of huge winnings (and losses) and debating the best websites to play. It's a passion for some, a side business for others, one that is risky, to be sure, but should not be overlooked.

A larger context: The national and international online casino mania

To get a sense of what's going on here in Montana, you need to step back a little bit. The worldwide online gambling industry was worth more than $86 billion in 2024 and is projected to continue to grow like a weed. In the United States, legalizing online gambling in several states has created fierce competition among operators.

Major-name sites are spending big on software, security and advertising to entice players. Live dealer offerings, mobile play, cryptocurrency integration, it's all just part of the online casino experience of today. And while Montana may not be leading legislatively, the ripple effects of that across-the-nation marketing effort are being felt here.

Sites comparing online casinos and ranking the best operators enable Montanans to quickly compare and choose the best-rated real money casinos, ordered by payout speed, bonuses, game variety and user ratings. These kinds of sites are not reserved for serious gamblers, though. Weekend players use them too in an effort to find the best and most secure sites, particularly when navigating the riskier waters of offshore sites.

Local businesses, local impact

You might wonder: If people are betting online, what happens to game rooms, bars and casinos in the neighborhood? It is a valid question. The impact thus far has been a mixed bag. Some Great Falls small business owners say their video gaming machine revenues fell modestly over the past couple of years. Others say they don't notice much difference, if at all, traffic is better when they offer promotions tied to online networks or social media activity.

There's even some talk among local entrepreneurs about building hybrid venues, think lounges or cafes where individuals can play social casino games on tablets over a beer or latte. It's a model in development, and Great Falls might be just quirky enough to take a chance.

Risks and responsible play

Let's be honest: Gambling is always a gamble, whether it's online or offline. Though many regard it as a harmless time-waster, addiction is no laughing matter. The privacy of home-based online gambling, for instance, encourages even more outrageous behavior that's less likely to be observed than in a casino or pub environment. Great Falls has access to several resources for assistance, including neighborhood meetings and problem gambling counselors, but awareness is fairly low.

For anyone venturing into the realm of online casinos, number one advice is to have clear limits, don't chase your losses and never bet more than you can afford to lose. It's entertainment, not a money maker.

If you or anyone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.