by Mike McGrath
Montana Attorney General
In the seven years since I made my first appointments to the Gaming Advisory Council, we have seen a lot of constructive work, including laying the groundwork for a new automated accounting system, implementing the joint application process with the Department of Revenue, updating the laws on card games, and providing forums for tribal gaming and problem gambling issues.
Perhaps even more important, the Council has provided a forum to resolve matters that had previously divided different parts of the gaming industry, as well as regulators and those being regulated.
In the past, those divisions have sometimes been contentious and unproductive. In my experience, the GAC has worked hard to find compromises to resolve a broad range of divisive issues.
Much of the credit for the more constructive relationship we've seen between state regulators and the gaming industry goes to Gene Huntington, administrator of the Gambling Control Division.
Gene knows government and he knows how to get things done. He is one of those unflappable individuals who brings people together and quietly accomplishes a great deal. I rely on his advice, good judgment and equally good humor.
Credit also goes to the people who have served on the GAC and the substantial amount of time they have been willing to devote to meetings and subcommittee work.
Industry members of the council–especially Steve Morris, Tim Carson and John Tooke– have made enormous contributions to that process. This summer, I appointed a new citizen member to the Council, Mark Kennedy, who is a former MTA member and is now President of the Montana Council on Problem Gambling.
GAC meetings provide an important opportunity to fully discuss issues and new laws and rules before they are proposed or enacted, so there are no surprises.
The liquor and gambling business is highly regulated and changes the legislature or state agencies make can have a dramatic effect on your businesses. Businesses need to be forewarned and have an opportunity to adapt.
While the political winds that drive policy changes can shift, as a state agency, we can work to make sure these changes are not a surprise. A substantial change in the works now is the online tax reporting system developed by the Gambling Control Division.
While many route operators and larger operators are already on the new system, individual businesses are being given time to learn about these new systems and make informed choices. GCD is seeking voluntary use of the new system, and individual operators will be given plenty of notice prior to any mandatory use, so there won't be any surprises.
I would also like to thank the Montana Tavern Association for its cooperation and for being available to discuss and resolve issues. And the Montana Tavern Times has provided a very informative forum for our agency to communicate with those affected by state regulation.
Finally, I want to thank Mark Staples for his valuable input. Mark has always been available to provide counsel and assistance, whether we need help with one of his members or have problems on legislation. Mark is an extremely effective advocate for the MTA.
I look forward to visiting with you at your annual meeting.
Source: The Montana Tavern Times, September, 2007, published monthly by Continental Communications, 125 W. Granite St., Suite 102, Butte, MT 59701.