By Roger Porter
Having been postponed earlier this year due to the timing of the special legislative session of the Montana Legislature, the Gaming Industry Association finally gathered in Kalispell for their annual meeting on August 28-30.
This year's assembly was off slightly on attendance due to the lateness of it and that the Annual Montana Tavern Association meeting was but two weeks hence.
Meeting at the Outlaw Inn/Bulldog Convention Center, the group eased into their convention with some social frivolity–the traditional elimination round of the annual Texas Hold "Em poker tournament.
Neither were the golfers who turned out Wednesday to play the Village Greens deterred. This year golf director Bruce Wilson put on an eclectic tournament that seemed to satisfy everyone' competitive desires.
Following the golf, those attending gathered for cocktails and appetizers. Executive Director Rich Miller called upon the best resources of the host hotel to offer his members a spread unsurpassed in Montana.
Included were fried Marshirta sandwiches, asiago cheese and polenta crostini, tearoom duck confit sandwiches, caramelized leek and goat cheese tarts with fig jam, asparagus and Parmesan tarts, grilled Sumatran dark roast coffee and spice rubbed beef tenderloin, plum wine citrus teriyaki marinated halibut bites, Asian barbecue salmon and tandori spiced chicken satay.
Many kudos were lavished upon the Outlaw staff of Dan Grennan, chef; Brad Yaeck, executive chef; Natalie Nelson, chef; Derek Mahoney, catering chef; Rachel Starr, catering and convention sales director and Suzanne Troupe, catering operations manager.
Following the cocktail party the group adjourned to the Bulldog Saloon for the final round of the poker tournament. As usual the action was hot and heavy all night and when all was said and done a couple of new faces emerged in the win column.
Numero uno was the GIA' Miller who left $2,000 richer. Hot on his heels was the always competitive Mary Frampton who took home $1,200, and taking third place was Kendra Chavez who was suddenly $800 heavier.
With two days of fun and games under their belts the members set aside the final day for some serious business.
The meeting was called to order by President Marc Wass who then called upon Miller who requested a moment of silence in memory of the fallen comrade Roger Frampton.
Miller then called upon Ronda Wiggers. She asked the GIA members to individually consider joining the Montana Taxpayers Association, extoling the accomplishments of the organization. GIA is a member of the association and Miller agreed the group does "awesome work."
Next Steve Arntzen gave a brief report on automated reporting of video gaming machines to the Gambling Control Division via the internet. He characterized a three-week test his firm participated in as "simple." Arntzen also termed the on-line machine permitting process "awesome," and reported that the Division is delighted where they are with the project.
Arntzen then alluded to the multi-game agreement most operators have signed which obligated them to participate in automated reporting when a system became available. He said two accounting systems were approved by the Division July 1 so those with multi-game agreements could be called upon to begin the process of converting to on-line reporting by January 1.
However, Arntzen immediately qualified and clarified the situation, noting GCD Administrator Gene Huntington has stated the Division will have it's hands quite full for the forseeable future in assisting those who are ready to come on line now or further down the road, so it does not expect to be asking for additional volunteers for some time until the natural backlog gets cleard up, probably well after Jan. 1.
Once contacted by the division regarding conversion, the operator would have 180 days to become compliant.
Miller once more took to the podium and stated he would like to see more direction on several pending issues, including long-term funding solutions for the Montana Council on Problem Gambling's problem gambler treatment program.
He touched on Indian gaming, too, noting several large new tribal facilities had opened recently and that the latest state-tribal compact authorized $2,000 maximum Class III poker and keno payouts, compared to the $800 allowed non-tribal operators.
He said the new federal law that allowed state's to authorize intrastate on-line gambling could be a Pandora's Box that interested parties will want to monitor, perhaps to eventually address.
On the intrastate gaming issue, it was said that two of the biggest problems are verifying age and location of players. Terry Geurin said that the doors were open regarding intrastate on-line gaming and GIA could either be proactive or reactive. Tom Kenneally characterized the prospect as "scary" and was seconded by Kent Frampton.
Miller termed it "new ground" and urged the group to analyze it and adopt positions on it.
Regarding the recent special session, Miller assured the group that "the state has plenty of money."
The next subject to be addressed was fantasy sports league wagering at which time John Tooke took the floor and explained the Pari-Mutuel fantasy sports league system he has worked on for a number of years.
In discussing Pari-Mutuel betting, which has been legal in the state for almost two decades, it appeared members agreed that it would be wise to seek ways to rebuild the current customer base many fear could be hurt by the indoor smoking ban law. One member said he thought the potential fantasy sports betting crowd might represent new customers who could become a significant patron segment.
Live poker was briefly discussed with a review of recent legislation covering licensing of dealers, progressive tournaments and new tournament limits.
Also briefly discussed were the new cabaret licenses which seems to have sated those clamoring for new licenses for food establishments. However, the group was warned that the issue of the state's "liquor control" status and policies is not going away and will be examined in concert with the MTA.
The field of AG candidates was reviewed with careful consideration given to each one's merits. It was also noted that the political fund raising season has started early and that television time could become a precious commodity well before the actual elections, which could cause some candidates to re-think their strategies and organizations, changing the nature of campaigns.
The nominating committee submitted the names of all the current officers for re-election and they were elected by acclamation. The financial report was reviewed and approved.
Last on the agenda was a report by Montana Council on Problem Gambling President Mark Kennedy on the state of the organization. Kennedy' comments centered around the group's attempt to incorporate families into the treatment regimen which has proven to be an expensive expansion.
The GIA Board of Directors will meet Nov. 1. at the Best Bet Casino in Helena. Its 2008 annual convention was set for May 20-21 at Chico Hot Springs.
Source: The Montana Tavern Times, September, 2007, published monthly by Continental Communications, 125 W. Granite St., Suite 102, Butte, MT 59701.