Tech upgrades help operators, regulators
Pub Date: 4/1/2006
By Gene Huntington,
Administrator
Gambling Control Division
For almost a decade there has been discussion and false starts in developing an Automated Accounting and Reporting System for the state's video gaming machines.
The 2005 Legislature approved the development of a modern database for the Gambling Control Division. The modern database will allow those operators and route operators, who volunteer, to report taxes by sending electronic files to the Gambling Control Division.
However, the new database will have a much larger impact on the Gambling Control Division and gambling operators than just allowing taxes to be filed electronically.
The new database will change the way the Division conducts licensing of operators, issuing of permits as well as collection of taxes.
The new database is being developed as a part of the Department of Revenue s IRIS system using GenTax software. GenTax is a proven product used by several states and local governments to assess and collect taxes and to issue permits and licenses.
Some of the major changes that all operators will likely see over the next 18 months include:
¢The end of the use of annual permit decals as the Division assigns unique numbers to a lifetime tag for each video gambling machine
Operators will be able to get video gambling machine permits on line
Operators will be able to file letters of withdrawal on line
¢Changes in the license application system that should provide better service to all licensees
For those route operators and individual operators who choose to implement an approved automated accounting system, changes will include:
Taxes will be paid based on electronic meter readings rather than the mechanical meters
Video gambling taxes can be filed by sending tax reports each quarter from an approved accounting system
Operators can file video gambling taxes through a Gambling Control Division web-site
Electronic accounting information, but not tax reports, will need to be sent to the Division at least every two weeks
Route operators and location operators will have a choice between an intelligent (Tier I)
system which will have minimal paper record keeping requirements and a Tier II system that will have reduced record keeping requirements
The Gambling Control Division is consulting with the Gaming Advisory Council and an Industry Roundtable made up of a variety of tavern owners, route operators and manufacturers as design of the system moves ahead. Completion of the system is slated for December 2006'; however, some of the changes will be implemented prior to December.
Over the next few months the Division plans to begin testing various accounting systems currently being used or being developed. Any operator who would like to volunteer to test an accounting system or to test the web entry reporting system should call Al Arvish at (406) 841-2530.
Source: The Montana Tavern Times, April, 2006, published monthly by Continental Communications, 125 W. Granite St., Suite 102, Butte, MT 59701.