Legislators pass video line games
By Paul Tash, Montana Tavern Times
The proposal to add video line games to existing video gaming machines, SB 361, passed the House March 18, 73-23.
It passed the Senate in February on a 38-11 vote.
During testimony before the House Business and Labor Committee March 9, gaming representatives said the bill could help improve an ailing industry hit hard by the economy and statewide smoking ban.
Introducing the bill to the committee, Sen. Rick Ripley, R-Wolf Point, said the new line games would add “entertainment value” to an industry that hasn't experience “any new changes to the machines in 20 years.”
He said the proposal only seeks to provide a new game. It does not increase the $2 maximum bet, he said, or increase the $800 maximum payout.
Neil Peterson, executive director of the Gaming Industry Association, said adding line games might “replace a little bit of the revenue” lost in the last two years.
Montana Tavern Association counsel Mark Staples told the committee that the line games would be added to existing cabinets, so that players would have the choice to play poker, keno or line games.
“Same machines, same number of machines, same bet and payout limits ... just a new optional visual,” he said.
Ronda Wiggers, speaking for the Montana Coin Machine Operators Association, said allowing line games would “add some entertainment” to gaming machines that is already available on smart phones.
Supporting that point was John Tooke, owner of the Golden Spur Casino in Miles City. He said Montana's gaming industry endures much more competition now from the internet and smart phones than it did 22 years ago when he entered the business.
“TV and movies on videotape” were about the only competition then, he said. Tooke asked for the committee's support of SB361 so the industry could better compete with new technology.
Bruce Wilson, speaking for manufacturer Grand Vision Gaming, said his company was forced to lay off employees during the downturn. Line-game approval, he said, would allow his company to rehire some of those workers.
“Senate Bill 361 is about jobs,” he said.
Kathy Bushnell, manager of several Jackpot casinos in Bozeman, said she's reduced her workforce and payroll by 20 percent, and cut expenses “to the bare bones.”
She asked the committee to pass SB361 to “turn this around.”
Other proponents speaking at the hearing were Ralph Ferraro, owner of the Rockin' R in Bozeman; Rick Ogle, tavern owner in Belgrade; John Hayes, of the Cascade Co. Tavern Association in Great Falls; Clint Lohman, route operator in Bozeman; and Steve Morris, owner of Jorgenson's in Helena.
No opponents of SB361 spoke, as was the case at the Senate Business, Labor and Economic Affairs Committee in February.
One of the few comments from the committee following testimony came from Rep. Christy Clark, R-Choteau, who asked informational witness Rick Ask, administrator for the Gambling Control Division, what other states have line games. Ask responded that South Dakota and Oregon are among states in the region that allow video line games.
In closing, Sen. Ripley said that while he doesn't play gaming machines, the activity is legal and the gaming industry should be allowed to enhance its entertainment value to help it weather the current economic storm.
“We all gamble – every morning when we get up it's a gamble,” he said, drawing some laughter from the committee.
The committee voted in support of the bill, 18-3.