23-7-102. Purpose. (1) The purpose of this chapter is to allow lottery games in which the player purchases from the state, through the administrators of the state lottery, a chance to win a prize. This chapter does not allow and may not be construed to allow any game in which a player competes against or plays with any other person, including a person employed by an establishment in which a lottery game may be played. The state lottery may provide products sold only through an authorized lottery device at the location of a lottery ticket or chance sales agent licensed by the director.
     (2) The administration and construction of this chapter must comply with Article III, section 9, of the Montana constitution, which mandates that all forms of gambling are prohibited unless authorized by acts of the legislature or by the people through initiative or referendum. Therefore, this chapter must be strictly construed to allow only those games that are within the scope of this section and within the definition of "lottery game".
     (3) The state lottery may not:
     (a) operate a slot machine or carry on any form of gambling prohibited by the laws of this state; or
     (b) carry on any form of gambling permitted by the laws of this state but which is not a lottery game within the scope of this section and within the definition of "lottery game".

     History: En. Sec. 2, Ch. 669, L. 1985; Sec. 23-5-1002, MCA 1989; redes. 23-7-102 by Sec. 57, Ch. 647, L. 1991; amd. Sec. 11, Ch. 385, L. 2015.