Peterson says different strokes
for different folks
By Neil Peterson, Exec. Dir.
Gaming Industry Association
Gaming provides an entertainment product for Montanans.
Everyone has their own idea for having fun in their free time. Some folks, including me, like to play golf. I prescribe to the old adage, “A bad day on the golf course is better than a good day at work.”
Being a golfer in Montana is rough because you can only play six months out of the year and the other six months you get to pay your club dues and just think about playing golf.
Some folks like to hunt. I have friends who spend every single day during hunting season looking for that elusive trophy. Some folks like to fish. One of my friends says that every hour you are fishing doesn't count against you getting older.
Other folks like to travel and explore new places both within and without Montana. Some, like Montana Tavern Times Editor and Publisher, Cole Boehler, like to explore different areas on their motorcycles. And yes, some folks like to engage in gaming activities.
No matter what you like to do, someone who doesn't share your interests is going to think, and maybe even tell you, it's a waste of time and money. I've had plenty of people tell me golf is a big waste of money. Never mind these same folks think nothing of spending a few thousand dollars on a new shotgun or rifle, a 4-wheeler or trailer and horses and lots of other money to hunt a few months out of the year.
Now, I could easily say that's a waste of money because it doesn't interest me. The only thing I like to hunt for is an occasional golf ball. But I realize not everyone has the same interests and, when you think about it, the world would be mighty boring if everyone thought the same.
Am I or anyone else qualified to tell someone how to spend their free time and discretionary income?
Many folks like to gamble. The last statistic I saw indicated that close to 90 percent of all Americans gamble.
Now gambling can consist of many different types of activities. You might like to throw in a couple of bucks each week to buy lottery tickets, or at this time of year participate in office sports pools, bet some friends on the outcome of a game, go to casinos and play video gaming machines, play live poker or go to Las Vegas for a weekend. I confess to having participated in all of the aforementioned activities and had a good time doing so.
Montana's video gaming machine manufacturers provide some of the most entertaining poker, keno and bingo games in the nation. People like the entertainment value of the games and so much the better if you win a few bucks in the process.
Putting $10 in a machine and playing for awhile is no different than me paying green fees and playing for awhile. They are both entertainment.
For those folks who are our customers, thanks for your support.
For those folks who haven't tried our games, I encourage you to give them a whirl. I think you will find the new entertainment value worth the while.