GCD job was interesting and enjoyable
Pub Date: 12/1/2008
By Gene Huntington, Administrator
Gambling Control Division
This is my last column for the Montana Tavern Times. At the end of December, I am planning to retire.
I have had the good fortune to have a variety jobs in government and in business. My eight-year tenure at the Gambling Control Division of the Department of Justice has been the longest time I have ever been in one position.
And arguably, it has also been the most interesting time I have spent in any position. What has made the job interesting is the variety of subjects and disciplines involved. What has made it enjoyable is the people I have had the opportunity to work with.
The position has to deal with a lot of different and often conflicting public policy expectations and a number of common misconceptions among the public. While the Constitution and state law call for gambling to be closely regulated, there is an expectation that gambling is a private business where we allow the markets to function without government interference.
I appreciate the opportunity Atty. Gen. Mike McGrath has given me to serve, as I appreciate his direction and support over the past eight years.
I am also grateful for the Gambling Control Division's experienced and competent staff, who have led the way in making big changes in the way the Division does business. Many of these changes would not have been possible without the cooperation we received from Neil Peterson, Shauna Helfert and other staff at the Department of Revenue.
In addition, the Gaming Advisory Council has been a resource that other agencies should envy. The Council provides a forum that allows the agency to systematically initiate new policy and review old policy and laws. It also acts as a valuable sounding board for decisions. Serving on the Gaming Advisory Council requires a lot of travel and a sacrifice of time and energy, for which I am very grateful to current and past council members.
Last but not least, I would like to express my appreciation to the Tavern Times for providing a forum to communicate with the folks the Division regulates. Publisher and Editor Cole Boehler has provided news coverage of the Gaming Advisory Council and kept everyone up to date on the policy discussions of the day.
By allowing me to write a monthly column, we have been able to keep tavern owners aware of policy changes and provide information to reflect the changing seasons, like reviewing the sports board requirements before March Madness.
I appreciate the cooperation I have received from the tavern owners and the gambling industry. I have made a lot of friends over the past eight years.
I hope I will have the opportunity to see some of you now and then as I explore the fishing holes and golf courses around Montana.
Editor's note: And we appreciate having had Gene's well written and informative monthly articles, always in hand before deadline, that greatly helped our readers better understand the regulations under which they operate and the reasons for them.{/I]
[i]Source: The Montana Tavern Times, December, 2008, published monthly by Continental Communications, 125 W. Granite St., Suite 102, Butte, MT 59701.