Is Kalshi legal in Montana?

How Kalshi operates in Montana

Kalshi is a Designated Contract Market regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) — the same federal category as major futures exchanges. Kalshi's position is that this federal framework governs its event contracts in Montana. Montana authorities or courts have disputed that for sports event contracts, and the question has not been finally decided.

Who can trade in Montana

To open an account from Montana you must be 18 or older (21+ in some jurisdictions), be a US resident, and complete Kalshi's identity verification (legal name, date of birth, address, and SSN). Verification is usually instant. Once you confirm your location, the app shows exactly which markets you can trade in Montana.

What you can trade

Kalshi's core menu — politics, economics, climate, inflation, and culture markets — is broadly available in Montana. Some sports-related contract categories have been challenged by state regulators and may be limited; Kalshi displays the current status for Montana at sign-up. For the full national picture, see where Kalshi is legal state by state and our guide to whether Kalshi is legal.

How to sign up from Montana

Have your driver's license or passport ready plus a US bank account for ACH. The whole flow takes about ten minutes, and new traders trade $25 and get $25! with bonus code COLLEGEPM.

Sign up on Kalshi → (opens in a new tab)

21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.

What changed in Montana

Court rulings, regulator actions and bills that affect prediction markets in Montana. Newest first. Checked against sources on October 1, 2026. This is a record of public events, not legal advice.

1. August 28, 2026

   Ninth Circuit rules for Nevada regulators in Kalshi case

   In KalshiEX v. Assad, a three-judge Ninth Circuit panel upheld the dissolution of an injunction that had protected Kalshi in Nevada, finding Kalshi had not shown that federal commodities law likely preempts Nevada gaming rules for its sports event contracts. The court sent Nevada's challenge to election contracts back to the district court.

   Source: U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (opinion, No. 25-7516) (opens in a new tab)

2. August 27, 2026

   Federal judge denies Kalshi injunction in Montana

   U.S. District Judge Donald Molloy denied Kalshi's motion for a preliminary injunction against enforcement of Montana gambling laws.

   Source: Sports Betting Dime (opens in a new tab)

3. April 13, 2026

   Kalshi sues Montana after second cease-and-desist order

   Reported by Sports Betting Dime. Trade press reported that Kalshi sued the Montana Attorney General and gambling regulators after receiving a cease-and-desist order dated April 6, 2026. The date shown is the report date.

   Source: Sports Betting Dime (opens in a new tab)

4. April 7, 2025

   Montana regulator orders Kalshi to stop sports event contracts

   Reported by Sports Betting Dime. The Gambling Control Division of the Montana Department of Justice sent Kalshi a cease-and-desist notice describing its sports event contracts as illegal gambling. The date shown is the report date.

   Source: Sports Betting Dime (opens in a new tab)

Frequently asked questions

Is Kalshi legal in Montana?

Kalshi accepts eligible residents of Montana and operates under federal CFTC oversight as a Designated Contract Market. Montana's gambling regulator sent Kalshi cease-and-desist orders (reported April 2025 and April 2026), and a federal judge denied Kalshi an injunction on August 27, 2026. Courts have not finally decided whether state gambling law applies to sports event contracts, so what you can trade in Montana may change. This is not legal advice.

Do I have to be 18 to trade on Kalshi in Montana?

Yes. You must be 18 or older (21+ in some jurisdictions) and pass Kalshi's KYC identity verification. Event contracts are speculative and can result in loss of the funds you commit.

Can I trade sports markets on Kalshi in Montana?

Sports event contracts are the disputed category in Montana. Montana's gambling regulator sent Kalshi cease-and-desist orders (reported April 2025 and April 2026), and a federal judge denied Kalshi an injunction on August 27, 2026. The Kalshi app shows which markets are open in Montana once you verify your location.

How do I get the Kalshi bonus in Montana?

New traders in Montana trade $25 and get $25! when they sign up through our link and enter bonus code COLLEGEPM at registration. Terms are set by Kalshi and may change.