Line games offer potential for growth
By Neil Peterson
Executive Director, Gaming Industry Association
By now everyone knows that video line games are making their debut Jan. 1, 2012. This new game type will mark the first time in 20-plus years that new content has been allowed on video gaming machines in Montana.
With the addition of video line games, Montana will now join just about every other state in the union that allows gambling in offering these games. These are truly exciting times for both the industry and its customers.
Back in early 2010, the GIA hosted a meeting to brainstorm ideas on ways to recover some of the revenue lost to the smoking ban and the significant downturn in the economy. The list of ideas mentioned were over two pages in length. After analyzing these potential changes over the next few months, it became apparent that video line games were the only real option with potential to provide meaningful revenue for the industry.
Video line games are different from current games offered. Video lines games are easy to play and require little time to understand the game. In contrast, someone playing video keno or video poker needs to know a little bit about those games. Hopefully, the simple way in which video line games play will bring in some new customers.
I recently played several demo games from a number of manufacturers and I can tell you the entertainment value is fantastic. The graphics and animation in these games are truly amazing and will provide a great entertainment value to our customers.
Also, the addition of video line games has resulted in a couple of new manufacturers to the Montana market. They have also strengthened the business of the existing manufacturers. Additional competition also provides a benefit to the industry in more options and better pricing. Additionally, this adds to Montana's economy, providing good paying jobs and additional tax revenue to the state and local governments.
Video line games would not have happened without a coordinated effort of the various associations that represent the hospitality industry in Montana: The Montana Tavern Association, the Montana Machine Coin Operators Association, and the Gaming Industry Association.
Thanks to all of those folks who took the time to come to Helena, make calls to decision makers, and answer questions concerning the video line games proposal. Without your support it wouldn't have happened.
Are video lines games the cure-all for the industry? I don't think so, but I am hopeful that these new games will replace a portion of the revenue lost over the last couple of years.
A stronger hospitality industry will help aid the recovery of Montana's economy. I look forward to being able to play these new games in 2012.