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U.S. NEWS Saturday 4 May 2019

APNewsBreak: Montana governor signs sports betting bill

By MATT VOLZ a monopoly.
Associated Press Association executive di-
HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Mon- rector John Iverson said
tana became the first state the value to restaurants
to legalize sports betting and bars will be in the new
this year after Gov. Steve customers and those who
Bullock signed a bill Friday stay longer because of the
for the state lottery to over- gambling.
see a system of wagering "Extra cheeseburgers; extra
through kiosks and mobile slices of pizza, a few more
applications that could be people filling seats," Iverson
running by fall. said of the expected ben-
Montana is at the head of efits. "The actual revenue
a wave of states passing from the gaming isn't going
legislation this year to allow to be significant."
gambling on sports, and Lottery officials estimate
it becomes the seventh people will wager more
state to legalize the prac- than $65 million in the first
tice since the U.S. Supreme year, which would mean
Court allowed it nation- about $3.7 million in rev-
wide last year. enue to the state after an
Tennessee's governor will expected 80 percent pay-
allow a bill in that state to out and expenses.
become law without his Both wagers and revenue Lucille Brien plays a video poker machine at the Monte Bar and Casino in Billings, Montana, Tues-
signature. Bills passed by are expected to rise to $87 day, April 23, 2019.
lawmakers in Iowa and In- million in bets and $5.4 mil- Associated Press
diana are awaiting action lion in revenue by 2023, ac-
by the governors. Colora- cording to estimates. The The private business model, for the taxpayers, he said. ing under both systems at
do's Legislature on Friday profits will be mixed with on the other hand, might The private model can be once," Bullock wrote. "For
approved a ballot question other lottery revenue and favor companies with the revisited after the new sys- the market to succeed,
that will ask voters this fall if go to the state treasury most money and create tem is tested, he said. Montana needs to enter
sports gambling should be and to a scholarship fund. a fragmented market that "A new market like this can- the sports wagering market
legalized there. Lawmakers sent Bullock generates a lot less money not support sports wager- conservatively."q
The Montana law became two bills that would have
effective immediately, and created competing sports
supporters expect to move betting systems.
quickly to get the system One was the lottery bill,
operating. The bill's spon- while the other would have
sor, Democratic Rep. Ryan allowed private business-
Lynch, said the goal is to es to run sportsbooks, ki-
have it running by the start osks and mobile apps that
of the football season in would be regulated by the
September. state Department of Jus-
"It's a good day for Mon- tice.
tana to be able to see That bill would have im-
sports betting in the mar- posed an 8.5% tax on
ketplace," Lynch said. "I sportsbooks and generate
think Montanans will enjoy at least $800,000 a year in
the new aspect of watch- revenue for the state, ac-
ing sports for entertainment cording to the bill's sponsor.
as well as betting on it." The sponsors of the bills
The bill allows licensed bars urged the Democratic gov-
and restaurants to have ernor to sign both bills, say-
kiosks and mobile applica- ing the competition would
tions that can only be used be good for the state.
inside those establishments. Bullock vetoed the second
The Montana Tavern Asso- bill. He said in his veto letter
ciation had lobbied heav- that the lottery has existing
ily for legalization, and the infrastructure and is heavily
measure effectively gives regulated, which ensures a
the association's members transparent environment.