The state judge overseeing a lawsuit challenging sports betting rules in Montana is letting state lottery officials start issuing licenses to businesses until the dispute is settled.
Arete Group, LLC, a Billings-based investment group, asked for the injunction as a part of their suit alleging they should be issued a sports wagering license by the Montana Lottery as outlined in House Bill 725 and passed by the 2019 Montana Legislature.
Last year, the Montana Lottery Commission added a rule requiring “an appropriate alcoholic beverage license” in order to obtain a sports wagering license.
Arete Group has already been granted a gambling operator license, and argue the Lottery commission was wrong in adding the additional alcoholic beverage license as a requirement to obtain a sports wagering license.
So far the Lottery reports receiving hundreds of applications from businesses wanting a sports wagering license, and are in the process of reviewing those applications and working on training for sales agents.
