Rick Ask proving his value at GCD
By Steve Bullock
Montana Attorney General
Earlier this summer I made the decision to formally place Rick Ask as the head of the Gambling Control Division. I've known Rick since I was young attorney at the Department of Justice over a decade ago and I've had the opportunity to watch him up-close over the past eight months.
Rick knows the gaming business inside and out and has strong relationships with the small businesses that Gambling Control regulates. I'm confident that he'll be an excellent administrator and I'm proud to have him on my management team.
Over the last couple of months, I've had the opportunity to see firsthand how Rick's knowledge of the industry will be a tremendous benefit to our state. As most of you know, in June the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) wrongly interpreted Montana's gaming laws and ruled that Montana would no longer be allowed to hold playoff and tournament sporting events.
Hand in hand with the universities, Rick and the rest of our team at the Department of Justice, went to work to explain Montana law to the NCAA and assure them that our laws don't run afoul of their regulations.
While we all want to see Montana's football teams play late into the fall, the stakes were also high for small businesses that thrive on the spike in business that comes with these games.
I'm proud to say that, in early August, the NCAA notified my office that due to the hard work of our team and the leadership of the universities we've preserved our ability to host playoff and tournament games.
Over the last few months I've also watched with concern as reports of tax collections from the gambling industry dropped $1.4 million over the previous fiscal year. While Montana's economy has weathered the financial crisis better than many states, I'm well aware that small businesses throughout Montana are feeling the crunch.
I look forward to seeing you later this month at the Montana Tavern Association convention in Missoula and discussing all of these issues, as well as the work the Gambling Control Division and the Gaming Advisory Council are doing to streamline the amended license process.
Until then, all the best.