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Montana Department of Justice  ·  Gaming Regulation

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State-Tribal Gaming Compacts

Federal law completely preempts state law regarding gaming on Indian reservations. It requires states to negotiate in good faith to reach gaming compacts to provide for gaming on Indian lands. In compliance with federal law, Montana has class III compacts with five of the state's seven reservations:

No compacts currently exist with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Nation or the Blackfeet Tribe of the Blackfeet Reservation. The Salish and Kootenai and Blackfeet Tribes have casinos offering class II gambling.

Assiniboine and Sioux Nations of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation

The Class III compact between the State and the Assiniboine and Sioux Nations of Fort Peck allows no more than 100 machines per casino, with $1,500 maximum payouts. The Fort Peck tribal government elected in October of 2005 has not requested negotiations with the State for the purpose of entering into a new compact.

Blackfeet Nation of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation

There is no Class III state-tribal gaming compact with the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. A short-lived compact was terminated in 1997. State-tribal negotiations with regard to a new Class III compact in 2006, did not result in a new gaming compact. Currently, the Blackfeet Nation operates the Glacier Peaks Casino, which is a Class II gaming facility.

Chippewa Cree Nation of Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation

The State and the Chippewa Cree Nation signed an "Amendment to the Interim Compact between the Chippewa Cree Tribe of the Rocky Boy's Reservation and the State of Montana Regarding Class III Gaming on the Rocky Boy's Reservation" (PDF 2.4MB) in March 2008. The amended compact updates the amended 1993 compact. The 2005 and 2008 amendments allow 400 Class III machines with payouts of $2,000, in addition to other forms of gambling that are legal in Montana.

Crow Nation of the Crow Indian Reservation

The State and the Crow Nation are negotiating a new Class III gaming compact. The current compact allows for 100 Class III machines with a maximum $1,500 payout.

Gros Ventre and Assiniboine Nations of the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation

The State and the Fort Belknap Indian Community Council signed a state-tribal gaming compact (PDF) on August 23, 2007. The compact was approved by the U.S. Department of the Interior and became effective December 10, 2007. The compact is the first gaming compact signed between the State of Montana and the Fort Belknap Indian Community Council. Under the agreement, the Tribes may have up to 400 Class III video gambling machines, with maximum payouts of $2,000. In addition, the Tribes may conduct all other forms of gambling that are legal in Montana.

Northern Cheyenne Nation of the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation

The State and the Northern Cheyenne Nation signed an "Extension of Agreement between the Northern Cheyenne Tribe and the State of Montana Concerning Class III Gaming, with Incorporated Amendments" (PDF 2.4MB) in March 2007. The U.S. Department of the Interior approved of the extension and amendment in April 2007. The extension replaces the 1993 compact, under which the Northern Cheyenne Tribe was able to operate a maximum of 100 machines with $1,500 payouts. Under the extension and amendments, the Northern Cheyenne may operate 400 machines total, with a maximum payout of $2,000, in addition to conducting other forms of gambling that are legal in Montana.

Salish and Kootenai Nations of the Flathead Indian Reservation

There is no Class III state-tribal gaming compact with the Flathead Indian Reservation. The last compact lapsed in 2006, after state-tribal negotiations did not result in a new compact. Currently, the Salish and Kootenai operate two Class II casinos, Kwa Taq Nuk and the Gray Wolf Peak casino.