Gambling Licenses and Permits

Note: Most of the forms related to the Gambling Control Division's broad licensing and permitting responsibilities are available on the Gambling and Liquor Forms page. However, the card dealer license application is not available online.

Amusement Games

The Gambling Control Division does not issue the permits needed for amusement games.

The permits to operate amusement games as outlined in 23-6-103 of the Montana Code Annotated are available from the local board of county commissioners for the county in which the game is to be made available for public play.

Card Dealer Licenses

Recent years have seen a resurgence in the popularity of poker, in no small part due to television coverage of Texas Hold'em tournaments.

• The number of card dealer applications in Montana has increased from 208 in fiscal year 2003 to 901 in fiscal year 2006.
• The number of licensed card tables has increased from 163 in fiscal 2003 to 491 in fiscal year 2006.

Montana law requires anyone dealing cards in a live card game of panguingue or poker to have a card dealer's license. The license must be renewed annually on the dealer's birthday.

How to Apply for a Standard Card Dealer License

1. Go to a local driver exam station to have your photo taken and get an application packet.
2. Complete all the required forms, obtain fingerprints and enclose a check for the appropriate amount:
   • $109 for a new application
   • $59 for a renewal
   • $10 for a replacement
3. Mail the completed application and check to:
   Gambling Control Division
   Department of Justice
   2550 Prospect Avenue
   P.O. Box 201424
   Helena, MT 59620-1424

If your application is approved, your standard card dealer license will be mailed to you within four weeks.

How to Renew a License that has Expired within the Last 30 Days

If you fail to renew your dealer license by its expiration date, within 30 days you can renew it by following the same process that is used to apply for a temporary license. You must complete the application form and submit a check for $59, but you do not need to submit fingerprints or the other documents. You must complete the section on the application form regarding any new criminal history information.

If you fail to renew within the 30-day period, follow the instructions for applying for a standard license application.

How to Apply for a Temporary Card Dealer License

Beginning July 1, 2007, people applying for a temporary card dealer license must:

1. Go to a local driver exam station to have your photo taken and pick up an application packet.
2. Call a Gambling Control Division Office to make an appointment for an interview. Division offices are located in Billings, Bozeman, Glasgow, Great Falls, Helena, Kalispell and Missoula.
3. Bring the following to the interview:
   • a completed application
   • two completed fingerprint cards
   • a check for $109 for the new license application fee

The Gambling Control Division makes every attempt to process requests for temporary licenses within 24 hours. If you meet all of the legal requirements, your temporary license will be available at the division office or, in some cases, at a local Workforce Services office, on the next business day. If your application is approved, your standard card dealer license will be mailed to you within four weeks.

Raffles

The Gambling Control Division does not issue the permits needed for raffles.

Before conducting a raffle, refer to 23-5-413 of the Montana Code Annotated and 23-16-2602 of the Administrative Rules of Montana. Contact your local board of county commissioners' office for details about obtaining the necessary permits and any further information.