By Gene Huntington, Administrator
The Gambling Control Division
Gambling operators may be seeing a new form to sign in the coming months. The form will likely be provided by their route operator and is part of an effort to provide for online permitting of machines.
One of the greatest benefits of the Gambling Control Division' automated accounting system will be the ability to permit new machines on line. Instead of sending the driver to Helena, route operators will be able to permit machines online in a matter of seconds.
A few months ago the Gambling Control Division adopted a rule that would allow a gambling location to authorize a route operator to apply for and receive permits on behalf of the location. Current law provides that the permit must be issued to the holder of the gambling license (the location) rather than the owner of the machine (the route operator).
The online permitting cannot be very efficient if each location needs to go online to permit machines owned by the route operator. The solution to this problem, at least temporarily, is to have locations authorize the route operator to obtain video gambling machine permits on behalf of the location.
The form is simple and contains the following language:
"The gambling operator named below hereby authorizes XYZ Gaming, Inc., Account No. xxxxxxxx- 00x -MDR to pay VGM permit fees and file letters of withdrawal on behalf of this location."
For those locations and route operators that have been testing the new automated accounting system, the ability to get permits and file letters of withdrawal is already available and is already being used.
The Gambling Control Division is adding additional route operators and locations to the test during the quarter ending June 30. Because of the online reporting of taxes, operators can only be added to the system at the beginning of a quarter.
The process includes some important timelines and deadlines. Operators who want to get on the system must sign up at least two months prior to the beginning of that quarter. For example, to start using the system during the quarter that begins July 1, operators must register no later than May 1.
During the two-month period the Division will test the online reporting for that location to make sure the system is reporting accurately. This also allows the operator to get familiar with the system. Just prior to the end of the quarter, the operator will need to submit current information on all of the machines that will be coming onto the system.
Source: The Montana Tavern Times, April, 2007, published monthly by Continental Communications, 125 W. Granite St., Suite 102, Butte, MT 59701.