Hold 'Em popularity is getting away from Division
Pub Date: 1/1/2003
Hunting told told the council some statutory changes were desired in order for the division to better track the burgeoning population of live card dealers and applicants (see September edition of the Montana Tavern Times for a complete discussion of the issue).
He said whereas last year the division was dealing with about 300 dealers, today over 800 have been licensed or have applied. Unfortunately, current rules allow dealers to be temporarily licensed by drivers license bureaus in order for them to go to work immediately, but the applicants often don't complete the application process and can be difficult to locate for follow up, Huntington said.
The increased interest and activity in live poker is consuming an increasing amount of division time and resources, he said.
Carson spoke in favor of "raising the bar" to assure only qualified persons could obtain a dealer's license.
Howlett agreed, but said the need to make application processing quick and efficient remains.
Staples noted the MTA had just appointed a committee to study the proposed GCD poker changes and would convey to the council its views.
A motion that the council appoint a subcommittee to further study the matter, then the council take it up again in January, passed unanimously. Council members Sen. Joe Tropila, Bill Thomas and Tooke agreed to serve on the subcommittee with chairman Witt sitting in as an ad hoc member.
Source: The Montana Tavern Times, Oct. 2005, published monthly by Continental Communications, 125 W. Granite St., Suite 102, Butte, MT 59701.