MTA expands problem gambling funding
Pub Date: 7/1/2006
The Montana Tavern Association Public Relations Committee decided to recommend to the board of directors that a funding increase of 36 percent from the group's PR budget be allocated to the Montana Council on Problem Gambling (MCPG).
The committee met at 9 a.m. in the lounge at Jorgensons in Helena June 21 prior to the full board meeting at 1:30 p.m. that day.
The MTA is one of four primary industry sponsors that provide the bulk of the MCPG operating budget. The Gaming Industry Association, Montana Coin Machine Operators Association and Town Pumps are the others, though it was reported it appears gaming equipment manufacturers are also on the verge of committing up to $5,000 each for the next five years.
Altogether, it seems new business contributions could amount to an additional $60,000 annually, a 60 percent boost.
The MCPG offers group therapy treatment for problem gamblers and training programs for treatment providers and, according to MCPG officials, extensive promotion of the programs has created new demands for services that are exceeding budgeted income.
The projected deficit was the topic of a round-table meeting in April between representatives of government agencies, business groups and the MCPG.
Discussions at that meeting revolved around whether government should step in with some funding and administration, but Mark Kennedy, president of the council, and business spokesmen suggested the program should remain non-bureacratic and that if additional funding was required, current supporters of the council should be allowed to remedy the problem. With the MTA's commitment, it now appears that is exactly what has happened.
Sue Foster, chairman of the MTA PR committee, also reported that ticket sales for the big "Dinner/No Dinner" raffle were going well with over 150 sold to-date at $100 each.
The MTA gives away at its annual convention in September numerous cash prizes in the raffle, with the top prize $15,000. An "early bird" drawing will be conducted August 15 for a $4,000 prize with that winning ticket being returned to the pool and still eligible for the big drawings later.
MTA Executive Director Diana Koon reported that participation in the MTA-sponsored TIPS server training, now available on-line and by satellite feed, could be improved. The cost per trainee is only $40 of which $15 goes for workbooks, $10 goes back to the employer and $15 goes to MTA. Certified server training can reduce liability insurance premiums, Koon said.
Foster told the group there are two nominees who would be considered by the MTA nominating committee for election to honorary lifetime membership status, then reported on solicitations from some charities for MTA support or funding.
The committee voted to instruct Koon to verify the eligibility of the groups before responding to them.
Koon also told the committee she had been contacted by Energy Links which is working with Northwestern Energy to develop automated on-line energy use audits that can aid a business in identifying potential conservation measures, and that Northwestern may co-op costs to implement them. The committee voted to present the matter to the full board (see board session story begginning on page one in this edition).
Koon pointed out that hospitality businesses are large consumers of electricity because of heavy demand for lighting, cooling and heat, gaming machines that are never turned off, large beverage and food coolers, ice machines, lighted signage and more.
Finally, Foster told the committee she had been contacted by the Montana Tavern Times which wished to sponsor an award to be presented at the convention which could consist of a plaque, a cash award and a feature profile on the winner in the newspaper.
The committee voted to endorse the idea, and appointed Sandy Jones, Cal McComber and Barb Foster to oversee the award. Apparently the subcommittee will solicit a nomination from each of the local association chapters and will then select a winner from the nominations.
Source: The Montana Tavern Times, July, 2006, published monthly by Continental Communications, 125 W. Granite St., Suite 102, Butte, MT 59701.