"I think it' a worthwhile effort--once you get it figured out," says Cal McOmber, owner of the Corvallis Tavern in Corvallis. McOmber, who owns the 18 gaming machines on his premises, has been involved with testing the new gaming report system from the start. "It' going to be an easier and better way of reporting," he says.
While McOmber notes that he had a lot of questions as he got into the testing process, he concludes that, "It' easier than the way we were doing it. As I see it, it' a good deal for both the route operators and those of us who own our own machines."
McOmber shrugs off the inevitable bumps on the learning curve, commenting, "Anytime we make change there' a period of adjustment." He adds that the testing process and working out the bugs of the program have made the process more "customer-friendly."
McOmber also believes that the new reporting system will prevent reporting problems. "It'll save me a lot of problems and prevent some errors, such as transposing numbers," he says.
McOmber gives agency administrators credit for strong program leadership in developing the new system. "Both Al Arvish and Gene Huntington (head of GCD); they've been super to work with."
Another business owner who has been involved with testing the new program is Dax Cetraro, whose family is involved in six gaming facilities in the Helena area, and participated in the testing process at his home base of the Rialto Bar and Grill on Last Chance Gulch.
Cetraro is also president of the Tri-County Licensed Beverage Association, whose membership includes bars and casinos in Lewis & Clark, Jefferson and Broadwater Counties.
"My experience has been positive," Cetraro commented. "I can see it'll save time and money, especially with doing weekly audits and end-of-quarter reconciliations. I like it and I think most operators will like it."
As far as wrinkles in the test process, Cetraro says, "The problems I had were small and they fixed it right away." Continuing, he said, "The hardest part for a business first getting into the on-line reporting process will be for an establishment to set up their accounts. Once you get that done, it' smooth sailing."
Cetraro sees a lot of potential in some of the applications.
"I'm excited about the reconciliation process," he said. "A lot of our systems seem a bit outdated, so the reconciliation parts of the new system will save many of us from having to come up with some other software system."
Cetraro is looking forward to getting all six of his facilities participating in on-line reporting. "I'll soon convert all my locations into the new system."
As far as training his managers on how it' all done, he says, "My auditor will do the training, though I could do it in-house. It shouldn't take more than 15 minutes." He sees that converting all his facilities to the new system as good business. "It'll save me a lot of time at the end of the quarter. It'll save me money as it streamlines the process."
Cetraro anticipates that some business owners may not be too eager to change their reporting methods. "There will be some small places with, for example, eight machines. For some of these little mom and pop places, paying $30 or $40 per month for internet access may not be worth it. Of course, if the machines are actually owned by a route operator, they'll take care of it."
Cetraro is appreciative of the open-minded spirit in which the state agencies involved with the process developed the system. "They've been pleasant to work with, and they've been open to suggestions as well as to input on just how we operate our businesses."
As president of his local association, Cetraro says, "There are still some things they [state agencies] have to work out, but when the time is right, probably this February or March, I'll set up a meeting and have Al and Gene [Arvish and Huntington] do a demonstration for our members.
Source: The Montana Tavern Times, Feb., 2007, published monthly by Continental Communications, 125 W. Granite St., Suite 102, Butte, MT 59701.