Which Montana County has a state-licensed gambling machine for every 24 residents?

An analysis by Montana Free Press, using Department of Justice licensing data and Census estimates, reveals how machine concentration varies widely across the state in fiscal year 2026. This structural disparity highlights regulatory and economic complexities within Montana’s gambling landscape.

Approximately 16,500 state-licensed machines operated statewide, with Mineral County leading at one machine per 24 residents, while Lake County reported the lowest concentration at one per 1,151 residents. The statewide average stood at one machine per 69 residents. Tax revenue from video gambling reached a record $83.5 million in fiscal year 2025, with wagers capped at $2 and awards limited to $800 per game. Licensing requires a $240 annual fee per machine, split between state and local funds. The report notes that Lake County’s low figure excludes tribal machines on the Flathead Indian Reservation, and cross-border effects in Mineral County remain unclear.

Counties like Mineral along the Idaho border may experience distinct regulatory and market dynamics, especially since Idaho prohibits slot machines. Understanding these disparities matters for Montana businesses navigating licensing, taxation, and community impacts.

Which Montana counties have the most — and least —  video gambling machines per person?
By Jacob Olness, Montana Free Press