By Gene Huntington, Administrator
The Gambling Control Division
More Gambling Control Division services are going on-line.
When the GCD first discussed using the internet to report video gambling taxes, the Division heard from some that tavern owners would not participate because they didn't own computers or were not computer savvy.
However, our efforts to-date indicate that tavern owners are moving down the cyber highway as quickly as other businesses.
As operators learn about reporting taxes online, they also learn about other online services that can save them time and money.
The most popular service has been the new ability to get machine permits on-line in a matter of seconds. Utilizing electronic funds transfer, machine owners can now file a letter of withdrawal to remove an old machine on-line and obtain a permit for a new machine on-line in the time it used to take to just locate the paperwork.
For those operators who are paying taxes online, they no longer need to prepare the quarterly tax report. If all meter readings have been entered correctly during the quarter, the Division will e-mail a notice of tax estimate.
The old quarterly tax report will no longer need to be filled out and filed. Unless the machine owner has a dispute with the Division' calculation of the taxes, the machine owner only needs to authorize an electronic funds transfer to make the tax payment.
The GCD is working to improve on-line services by simplifying forms and making electronic forms interactive, so the applicant can fill out and save the form on a computer. If, at a later date the form needs to be corrected or updated, the applicant can simply modify the saved version of the original form.
The Personal History Statement has been modified from six pages to two, and it can be downloaded from the GCD website. The Division is in the process of making the new form interactive. When the form is interactive, it can be filled out on the computer, a copy saved, printed, signed and submitted with an application and fingerprints.
The GCD is currently working with the Liquor Division of the Department of Revenue to update the Alcoholic Beverage/Gambling Operator Combined License Application. When the form is revised the Division plans to make the form available in an interactive format. The interactive forms should allow operators to easily complete or update the personal history and combined application forms.
As operators sign up for on-line reporting, they will be invited to an on-line "Webinar" for a demonstration of online services. Anyone wanting to view more information concerning on-line services can go to
. Click on "Try The Demo" and then follow the instructions.
The response to our first mailing to explain alternatives for reporting taxes over the internet has been very good. The Division has advised that no one will be mandated to report on-line as long as voluntary sign up is progressing.
For the most recent quarter we have added 87 locations with over 900 video gambling machines. This is a very encouraging rate of enrolling new operators and reinforces our belief that most operators will come to the system voluntarily.
Source: The Montana Tavern Times, December, 2007, published monthly by Continental Communications, 125 W. Granite St., Suite 102, Butte, MT 59701.