Montana Legislature Endorses Bills Legalizing Sports Betting

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — The Montana House and Senate have endorsed separate bills that would legalize sports betting in the state.
The House voted 90-10 Friday to approve a measure that would put the Montana Lottery in charge of sports gambling.
Later in the day, the Senate voted 33-16 to approve a version that would have the state Department of Justice regulate betting.
Both bills must pass final votes before they are transmitted to the other chamber for additional hearings and potential changes before a favored plan emerges.
Under the lottery bill, revenue from sports betting would be added to lottery profits that go to the state treasury and education scholarships.
The bills are being considered after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a federal law last year that made most sports gambling illegal.