Montana Lawmakers Questioned Lottery Contract Procedures
State officials faced scrutiny over withheld records and the handling of a multi-million dollar vendor agreement.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Gambling
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Montana lawmakers recently pressed state lottery officials regarding the handling of a contract with Intralot. Auditors found that the competitive bidding process for the deal ultimately secured $17.6 million in savings for the state.
Why it matters
The dispute highlights concerns over transparency in state contracting, as officials faced criticism for withholding emails and initially attempting to bypass competitive bidding in favor of an unsolicited proposal.
The new seven-year contract with Intralot features a 5.05% rate of gambling sales, a reduction from the 8% rate stipulated in the previous agreement. This shift in terms resulted in $17.6 million in estimated savings for Montana.
The players
Bob Brown
He serves as the Montana Lottery Director and was responsible for overseeing the negotiation and the decision to pause competitive bidding.
Intralot
Headquartered in Greece, this multinational company provides gaming technology and services to lottery operations globally.
Greg Gianforte
He is the current Governor of Montana and oversees the state administration that was scrutinized for restricting access to information.
The details
Montana Lottery Director Bob Brown faced questions about why he paused the competitive bidding process to consider an unsolicited proposal from the vendor. Legal counsel previously blocked access to requested emails, while the office of Governor Greg Gianforte and the Department of Administration also restricted information access during the audit.
Timeline
In July 2020, an Intralot subsidiary entered into an agreement with Major League Baseball.
The Montana Lottery Commission voted to put the contract out for competitive bidding in September 2024.
The Legislative Audit Committee held a hearing on the lottery contract on September 18, 2026.
Culture Shift
The investigation follows patterns set by the Montana state procurement competitive bidding requirements, which prioritize fiscal oversight in public contracting. This situation highlights a tension between administrative discretion and the legal mandate for transparency in state government deals.
The state's ability to secure a lower contract rate ensures that more lottery revenue remains in Montana for public use rather than being paid to a private vendor. Residents benefit directly from the $17.6 million in saved taxpayer funds resulting from the audit-driven competitive process.
The takeaway
Transparency remains a critical component in maintaining public trust when state agencies negotiate multi-year service contracts. Officials are reminded that rigorous adherence to competitive bidding laws serves as a primary safeguard for the state's financial health.
Further reading
For more information on the industry, visit Montana Gambling.
Source note: This article includes information reported by GamblingNews.
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