The Gambling Control Division of the Montana Department of Justice licenses and regulates all legal gambling operations in Montana, except horse racing and the Montana Lottery. The division also has primary responsibility for enforcing gambling statutes. As the entity responsible for gaming regulation, the division:
¢ conducts licensing investigations
¢ collects and distributes gambling taxes and permit fees
¢ conducts financial audits of gambling operations
¢ tests and approves video gambling machines
With the exception of its field offices, all Gambling Control offices are located at the following address:
Gene Huntington, Administrator
Gambling Control Division
Department of Justice
2550 Prospect Avenue
P.O. Box 201424
Helena, MT 59620-1424
Phone: (406) 444-1971
E-mail:
gcd@state.mt.usOperations BureauThe Operations Bureau is responsible for the division's license, tax and administrative functions. In addition to tasks described under the License and Tax Section, the bureau:
¢ assists in licensing applicants by conducting financial background reviews
¢ assists the Investigations Bureau in interpreting and analyzing documents of suspected illegal gambling activities
¢ conducts gambling tax field audits of licensed locations
¢ provides budget management services to the division
Rick Ask, Bureau Chief
Phone: (406) 444-9132
License and Tax SectionThe License and Tax Section processes and issues gambling licenses and permits, including video gambling machine permits. The section also:
¢ collects gambling taxes and license and permit fees
¢ distributes the license and permit fees to local governments in accordance with the law
¢ conducts gambling tax office audits and report compliance reviews
¢ maintains all license and tax records
In cooperation with the Department of Revenue, the License and Tax Section receives and processes the combined liquor and gambling license application.
Kathy Baertsch, Supervisor
Phone: (406) 444-9131
Investigations BureauThe Investigations Bureau performs all criminal background checks on license applicants and conducts detailed investigations to ascertain applicants' suitability under state statutes. The bureau also:
¢ conducts criminal investigations of alleged violations of state gambling statutes and administrative rules
¢ inspects the premises of licensed liquor and gambling establishments
¢ provides training on gambling to local law enforcement personnel and reviews proposed legal gambling activities
Jeff Bryson, Bureau Chief
Phone: (406) 444-1971
The Bureau has six
field offices across the state:
Billings Regional Office
615 South 27th
Billings, MT 59101
Phone: (406) 896-4300
Bozeman Regional Office
91 E Central Ave, #B
Belgrade, MT 59714-3710
Phone: (406) 388-2140
Glasgow Regional Office
Valley County Courthouse
Glasgow, MT 59230P
hone: (406) 228-2028
Great Falls Regional Office
625 Central Avenue West, Suite 205
Great Falls, MT 59404
Phone: (406) 452-8220
Kalispell Regional Office
275 Corporate Avenue, Suite 700
Kalispell, MT 59901
Phone: (406) 755-7160
Missoula Regional Office
2681 Palmer Street, Suite D
Missoula, MT 59808
Phone: (406) 329-1475
Technical Services SectionThe Technical Services Section is the primary technical resource for the division and maintains all of the division's computer and communications hardware and software. This section leads the effort to develop an automated accounting and reporting system for video gambling machines in Montana. The Technical Services Sections section also provides:
¢ testing lab services for all gambling devices in the state
¢ random on-site testing and inspection of video gambling machines
¢ data processing and database management services
Ben Kamerzel, Supervisor
Phone: (406) 444-9133