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The Montana Department of Justice has entered into a new partnership aimed at tightening its grip on illegal gambling across the state. Working through its Gambling Control Division, the DOJ signed an agreement with Gaming Compliance International, a firm specializing in compliance technology and data analytics.
The collaboration is designed to give regulators sharper tools to track unlicensed operators and monitor advertising practices that target vulnerable players.
GCI will provide advanced market intelligence and investigative support, mapping black-market activity and identifying possible connections between licensed businesses and unregulated platforms.
By combining analytics with enforcement, the state hopes to protect consumers and strengthen the integrity of Montana’s regulated gaming industry. “The Montana Department of Justice is committed to ensuring an ethical and fair gaming environment for Montanans,” said Montana Department of Justice’s Gambling Control Division Administrator Alex Sterhan.
“We are proud to partner with GCI to bring advanced technology and operational capabilities from across the nation and abroad to help our fight against illegal gambling operations.”
“GCI is honored to collaborate with the Montana Department of Justice,” said Matthew Holt, CEO of GCI, “This program demonstrates how public‑private partnerships can deliver timely insights and measurable results in addressing the challenges posed by unregulated gaming markets.”
Montana leading the way for gambling crackdowns
This move comes months after Montana became the first state in the country to put a full stop to sweepstakes gaming. Governor Greg Gianforte signed SB 555 into law after swift approval in both chambers, marking a landmark decision that reshaped the state’s gambling landscape.
The law, set to take effect on October 1, 2025, gives operators only a short window to shut down before enforcement begins.
The legislation, introduced by Senator Vince Ricci, expanded the definition of internet gambling to cover online casinos “by whatever name known,” making clear that platforms transmitting or receiving gambling information, accepting wagers in any form of currency, and paying out winnings fall under the ban.
That wording closed loopholes used by social casinos, which relied on dual‑currency systems to skirt regulation. Violations are now treated as felonies, with penalties reaching up to ten years in prison.
