MCPG offers Huestis executive director post
The board for the Montana Council on Problem Gambling offered Bonnie Huestis of Great Falls the position of executive director for the Council at its Nov. 29 meeting.
Huestis has been filling in on an interim basis since early October, after then-executive director Donna Johnson died in September from complications from renal kidney cancer.
In other news, the Council is scheduled to receive a $25,000 donation from Intralot, the state Lottery's services and equipment provider. Intralot has previously donated to MCPG, including a $25,000 donation last June.
The Montana Tavern Association, the Montana Coin Machine Operators Association, Town Pump and the Gaming Industry Association are the main financial supporters of the Council.
The board also committed to carry on Johnson's effort to reach out to Montana's Indian nations to help with problem-gambling issues on reservations. A need exists, the board agreed, but funding for that effort isn't available. The council directed Huestis, with the help of board member Cynthia Breen, to look into the possibility of approaching the tribes regarding the matter.
Huestis also offered the Council ideas for some new initiatives, including the potential for a pilot program to create an intensive counseling program and the potential for mandatory court-ordered counseling for offenders of gambling violations.
In addition, Jeff Bryson of the state Gambling Control Division was appointed to the board to fill the term of retired member Tom Oberwieser.
And finally, the board approved the change in the Council's website address to www.mtproblemgambling.org.