"We trace the beginnings of this new system back to 2003, when the Legislature cut off funding for developing a dial-up system for gaming reporting," said Gene Huntington, Administrator of the Gambling Control Division, about the new internet-based video gaming machine reporting system that is being implemented.
"We decided we needed to look at what' out there, in terms of the data already being collected by local casinos and route operators and seeing how we could develop a new system from that."
Huntington gives credit to FAST Enterprises, the Denver and Boise-based software developer for developing the new reporting system. "They've exceeded all our expectations," he says. "They've been on time and on budget through the whole development and implementation process."
Huntington also gives a lot of credit to the industry round-table, primarily made up of route operators and local bars and casino owners, for their help in designing the new system.
Now that the on-line reporting system is going live, Huntington says that his agency' top priority is to fine tune the process. "We need to get all our procedures in place, because it looks like by the fourth quarter (April-May) we'll be adding a lot of people to the system.
"We're optimistic it will all turn out well, and there are some aspects, such as on-line permitting, that people will really like."
Huntington cautioned, however, that the change will require some businesses to make some changes in their practices. "In some respects, this new system won't be as flexible as pencil and paper. We'll have to make sure that people are ready to commit to the new system before we bring them into it."
While the new on-line reporting system is what will be most obvious to local business owners, Huntington pointed out, "The most fundamental change is the new database we've developed. It' a lot less reliant on paper. Everything will be on the computer and quickly accessible.
"Hopefully, it will help us provide better service all across the board."
Source: The Montana Tavern Times, Feb., 2007, published monthly by Continental Communications, 125 W. Granite St., Suite 102, Butte, MT 59701.