Gambling - Montana style.

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Financial condition of Gambling Establishments

Gambling within Montana presently consists regarding commercial/charitable

gambling, lottery products, and also pari-mutuel wagering in horses along with dogs.

Lottery products are marketed by simply retailers statewide. Video gambling

machines (VGMs), live keno/bingo, along with card games can become obtained by

establishments licensed by the state. Individual establishments may

operate no a lot more than 20 VGMs, using every device awarding prizes involving up to

$800 per game. Montana gambling establishments do not really offer slot

machines or table games, like blackjack, roulette, or perhaps craps.

Montana difficulty gambler rates rose between the 1992 and also 1998

studies. Yet, Montana's overall problem gambling rates are similar to

other states, as may end up being the increase. Montana American Indians get higher

problem gambler prices than the entire population.

* Typical age of Montana problem gamblers is now higher than

reported in the 1992 study: 0.3 have become 50 numerous a long time of age group vs.

17 % reported in the 1992 study.

Problem and also probable pathological gamblers are the actual trigger of a

disproportionate reveal of gambling activity and taxes, according to their

survey responses. As demonstrated throughout Figure 8, problem gamblers account for

about 37 percent involving month in order to month VGM expenditures and thus about 37 percent
of month to month VGM tax revenues. The Actual corresponding figure for are living keno is

29 percent; lottery 17 percent; scratch tickets 18 percent; and live

bingo 13 percent. These kinds of estimates are usually according to gamblers' reviews of

their typical months' spending. Small study has been conducted

which examines the actual accuracy of gamblers' reported spending.

To provide some excellent info relating to social expenses associated with problem

gambling, we conducted the survey regarding Montana Gambler Anonymous (GA)

members and also reviewed patients' records coming from a couple of residential

gambling treatment programs. Your GA survey has been administered to be able to chapters

in Billings, Butte, Bozeman, Fantastic Falls, Helena, as well as Missoula. Associated With the

77 questionnaires distributed, 61 (79 percent) were returned. GA members

took the DSM-IV screen as a portion of the particular survey. Your DSM-IV had been also

administered to become able to respondents in the statewide household survey. The

inpatients' records included: scores about the DSM-IV screen.

This painting will be currently showing at the Sutton West Gallery in

Missoula. An exhibit, featuring Thom Ross's paintings, will be

opening at the gallery in June 4, 1999.

[TABULAR DATA FOR TABLE one OMITTED]

Nonresident Gamblers

Legal gambling, and in addition the resulting tax revenue and also unforeseen social

costs, are now typical problems facing governments all through the particular world.
* Gambling is the reason with regards to 13 percent involving total revenue, compared

to the statewide average associated with 14 % with regard to comparable establishments.

Today, gambling is actually a little much more civilized. Folks don't

usually acquire shot more than a negative hand or bad debt, because they sometimes does in

the frontier days. (In Wild Bill's case it absolutely was more than numerous

previous disputes.) As Well As nowadays, gamblers are more inclined to attempt out video

gambling machines as opposed to card games. Furthermore, gambling these days is

a significant industry. in 1996, U.S. residents invested $47 billion on gambling.

Video Gambling Device Tax revenues get become increasingly

important regarding just about all Montana governments. Initiative 105 (effective July 1,

1987) restricted increasing income generated by simply property taxes, as well as Senate

Bill 195 (passed by the 1997 Legislature as well as presently before the

courts) might location further restrictions on these sources.

Social Impacts involving Issue Gambling

Montana problem gamblers had been identified using your South Oaks

Gambling Screen (SOGS) and furthermore the Diagnostic as well as Statistical Manual Fourth

Edition (DSM-IV) screen. each screen assigns points based on answers to

gambling-related questions, and individuals together with scores exceeding

predetermined levels tend to be assigned to various difficulty gambling

categories. for example, people whom score three or 4 points around the SOGS

lifetime or even past year screens are generally classified as "problem

gamblers." those that score 5 or perhaps a lot more factors upon either screen are
classified as "probable pathological gamblers." The Actual DSM-IV has

a comparable scale, yet measures simply past yr problems.

When analyzing the partnership among gambling and also crime, it is

important in order to understand that crime data has in order to be interpreted

cautiously simply because many crimes never occur to the interest involving the

authorities and also accuracy will be usually compromised by incomplete or

inaccurate record keeping. Crime information in Montana American Indian

reservations had not necessarily been reported here simply because preliminary analysis associated
with these

data found extremely serious difficulties with accuracy.

* GA members tend to be more likely to get sought help pertaining to drug problems

and depression.

An extra test regarding 108 American Indians living about the Flathead

Reservation ended up being additionally surveyed. Your Flathead Reservation test was

chosen for you to improve your quantity of American Indians studied in the most

cost-effective manner. There were in addition 81 respondents (out regarding 1,227) to

the statewide survey who identified by themselves as American Indians.

These American Indian respondents were dispersed throughout the state,

both upon reservations and

The state regarding gambling on reservations as well as the apparent higher rates

of gambling participation among American Indians do not necessarily appear to

measurably affect neighborhood gambling establishments. The Particular 17 gambling

establishments adjacent for the Fort Peck Reservation get these

similarities for their statewide counterparts:

The Survey

The survey methods were made to make certain that your respondents represented the statistically
accurate cross section of Montana adults.

For example, hearing-impaired respondents received his or her questionnaire

in the mail, and translators were obtained for those who did not speak

English. Interviewers were trained within strategies to increase the

responses to become able to sensitive questions. The Actual general response price was 83

percent. This specific higher response rate raises the statistical reliability

of the actual findings.

The listing of 10 cities many determined by VGM taxes changed

significantly in between 1990 and 1997. Just Grass Range as well as Rexford appear

on both. Because proven throughout Table 3, 6 involving the top 10 cities within 1997 were

either close to Montana borders (Kevin, Rexford, Libby, and Hardin) as well as on

Interstate 90 (Superior as well as Columbus), suggesting which cross-border

patronage as well as freeway access might add to be able to nearby demand.

The very pathological gamblers tend to be an extremely tiny element of

the population. Regarding your family survey (which mirrors the actual overall

population), simply ten % score a one upon DSM-IV and the percentage

scoring seven or even more is actually barely measurable. Nearly All with the inpatients score

seven or higher. GA membership contains a substantial amount scoring reduced on

the DSM-IV (perhaps because that they have been in "recovery") yet the

majority score seven or perhaps above.

Video gambling along with lottery items like Powerball along with scratch

tickets are the three most popular types of commercial gambling. About

39 % involving Montana adults stated these people played VGMs within the final year,

while the attached figures pertaining to Powerball along with scratch tickets were

36 % and also 32 percent, respectively [ILLUSTRATION FOR FIGURE 2

OMITTED].

Each of the seven largest Montana cities has been matched with an

out-of-state metropolis inside the region concentrating around the same population size, similar

population growth rate, similar racial composition, but with little or

no legal gambling. The Actual percentage alteration of crime prices for three

indices of crime (total serious crime, property crime, as well as violent

crime) ended up being computed for three occasion periods.

The subsequent article consists of factual findings in the survey. We

do not propose changes in legislation or other gambling related

policies; we existing your facts so that other people will make up his or her own

minds.

A extended period perspective yields higher estimates. Making Use Of lifetime

instead regarding past 12 months responses, lifetime probable pathological gamblers

number regarding 18,200 (+/-6,500). Your corresponding estimate pertaining to lifetime

problem gamblers will be 18,800 (+/-6,500).

[TABULAR DATA FOR TABLE two OMITTED]

Findings from your Matched Cities Comparison

Table 4

Profile involving Montana Lifetime Difficulty and Probable Pathological

Gamblers 1992 as well as 1998

1992 1998

Gender (N = 36) (N = 81)

Male 52.8 49.4

Female 47.2 50.6

Age

18-29 34.3 23.0

30-39 34.3 26.4

40-49 14.3 20.7

50-64 17.1 20.7

65+ - 9.2

Ethnicity
White 97.1 82.5

American Indian - 15.0

Other 2.9 2.5

Marital Status

Married 68.6 50.6

Widowed - 3.7

Divorced/Separated 8.6 29.6

Never Married 22.9 16.0

Education

Less when compared with HS 5.6 13.8

HS + several Submit 77.2 74.7

BA + 22.2 11.5

Work Status

Employed 66.7 61.7

Unemployed 8.3 3.7

Other 25.0 34.6

Income Status

[less than] $15K 20.6 33.3

$15-$35K 47.0 32.2

$35-$50K 20.6 11.5

$50K + 11.8 23.0

Note: Difficulty and probable pathological gamblers score 3 or higher

on lifetime South Oaks Gambling Screen.

Source: Gemini Analysis Ltd.

In Thom Ross's painting,"Wild Bill" Hickok stands

beside the actual table on that he will play his last hand involving poker. It is

August 2, 1876. In Order To the left involving Hickok, along along with his back in order to you, sits
Carl

Mann, the owner with the bar, Saloon # 10, where the game will be getting played.

Next in order to him, together using his back again contrary to end up being able to the wall. sits
Charlie Rich. Your man

in your blue suit will be riverboat captain William Massie. Hickok inquired to

switch seats using Rich twice, each times getting advised to not worry, that

no one ended up being likely to shoot him.

As demonstrated throughout Figure 6, past yr probable pathological gamblers

accounted for about 1.6 percent regarding Montana's 1997 adult population,

up through 0.7 % reported within the 1992 study. Past year problem

gamblers were regarding 2.0 percent associated with Montana adults throughout 1997, an increase

from 1.5 % reported in the 1992 study. Similarly, the particular lifetime

probable pathological price rose via 1.3 percent for you to 2.7 % between

the 2 studies, as well as the corresponding figures regarding lifetime problem

gamblers had been 2.3 % and 2.7 percent, respectively.

Problems involving Montana's Incredibly Pathological Gamblers

* GA members tend to be older when compared with inpatients, along with both of all of them are
older than

problem and also probable pathological gamblers within the general population.

Are gambling and also crime related? Clearly, as was previously

reported, pathological gamblers are usually more inclined to be involved in crime

and much much more likely being handled through the criminal justice system. Nevertheless given

their relatively tiny numbers, the general impact on crime rates is

likely to become small. Throughout addition, much of the crime admitted by

pathological gamblers involves drug use as well as driving a car under the actual influence

of alcohol. The idea is fairly entirely possible that as opposed to pathological gambling "causing"
criminal behavior, pathological gambling and

criminal behavior are usually both the item of additional problems throughout the

person's life.

* Educational attainment of difficulty gamblers is actually lower.

Problem Gamblers' Favorite Games

Only several distinguishing characteristics emerge coming from an

examination involving Montana issue gamblers' profiles, as proven in

Table 4. They Will are:

* You may find fewer false positives/negatives as associated with this cutoff.
Profile associated with Montana Gambling Establishments

While gambling may have got caused a rise regarding some types of

crime, Montana's general crime charge boost is not just about any higher than

the increases within matched cities using minimum legal gambling. In

fact, inside nearly three-quarters in the specific comparisons carried out,

crime prices rose more (or decreased less) in the matched cities compared to in

the Montana cities.

other communities.

Two statistical assessments had been devised to evaluate the actual relationship

between gambling and also crime in Montana. The initial was obviously a matched cities

comparison, designed to see whether Montana cities together with gambling had

larger raises throughout reported crime rates as occasion passes in contrast to end up being able to
similar

cities inside the region with less access to gambling. Your second was a

cross-sectional analysis of Montana counties, made to figure out if

counties with additional gambling for each capita additionally tend to have higher crime

rates.

McCall pulled the particular trigger associated with his gun from another men, nevertheless the
gun

never fired again. He then ran out in the saloon. McCall has been attempted for

murder along with had been hanged about March 1, 1877. Captain Massie returned in order to the

river, the actual fatal bullet which had killed the genuinely amazing Wild Bill Hickok still

lodged throughout his arm.

Problem Gamblers as well as Private Bankruptcy

The questionnaire has been built to capture business-related data

from your gambling establishments throughout an efficient as well as unobtrusive manner.

For example, the particular relevant line amount ended up being included if the information

could be obtained from the respondents' tax forms. Also, the

questions closely resembled those who perform in various other company surveys - such as

the 1997 Census regarding Business, conducted by the U.S. Bureau of the Census - which can
happen in order to be recently completed by the respondents.

RELATED ARTICLE: "No one can be likely to shoot you, Bill!"

Problem Gamblers' Talk About regarding Gambling Activity

Gambling-related businesses spend a selection of various other state and also local

taxes, for example property taxes, corporation gain taxes, and

locally-imposed sales taxes. Proprietors, stockholders, along with employees

also spend income taxes. These kinds of indirect taxes tend to be usually not analyzed with gambling
taxes because these people are imposed in general economic

activity. the general levels of indirect taxes are relatively

unaffected by simply alterations in gambling: if total economic activity is actually stable,

the demise of one firm will possibly be replaced by the growth in another.

New Montana Research

From convenience stores for you to casinos, Montana's gambling

industry has grown in a phenomenal price more than the past numerous years. The

Bureau's study presents the facts, profiling the state's

gamblers, problem gamblers, along with gaming establishments. It also provides

clear along with credible data about income trends, costs, along with taxes, inside addition

to addressing problems such as social impacts and crimes related with

an expanding gambling industry. Using the information in hand, Montanans now

face tough policy choices relating to your state's gambling

industry. Ought To the number of video gaming machines be much more tightly

controlled? should new games such as Black-jack end up being launched at

destination resorts? How concerning riverboat gambling around the Missouri,

Yellowstone, as well as Clark Fork Rivers? Are Usually Montana's gambling taxes

adequate? Whom pays the actual social cost regarding gambling? These kind of and other

questions want answering.

Montana Gambling Taxes

Between 1992 as well as 1998, participation rates declined pertaining to each of the

three most popular games, following your trend reported in various other areas.

Video gambling dropped through 44 percent in order to 39 percent; Powerball

decreased coming from 46 percent to 36 percent; and also scratch tickets declined

from 46 to end up being able to 32 percent. The Actual decreasing game participation prices possess
been

attributed your maturation in the gambling products: the particular novelty of a new

game leads to peak participation right after its introduction, as well as then

usually declines.

Montanans receiving income from Social security use a lower

gambling participation rate than others certainly not receiving Social Security
income. Montanans receiving public support possess in regards for you to the same

gambling participation charge as those not necessarily receiving public assistance.

These had been famous final phrases as it turns out. The Actual painting pictured

on the coverage in the Montana business Quarterly tells a colorful story.

The $10 million in nonresident gambling expenditures represents

about 4.5 percent in the total statewide gambling expenditures and also about

0.7 % associated with total expenditures throughout Montana through nonresidents. This also

translates straight into with regards to $1.7 million within labor income. Labor income, rather

than employment, can be utilized to compare basic industries because it takes

into account the particular distinct wage levels. in comparison, 1996 labor income

in additional simple industries was: $246 million regarding agriculture; $332

million for wood along with paper products; and also $290 million with regard to mining.

GA and inpatients with a DSM-IV score involving seven or even above had been chosen

for the particular analysis regarding social impacts regarding issue gamblers. These individuals are

denoted as incredibly pathological gamblers. The cutoff associated with seven has been chosen

because:

Montana licenses concerning 1,740 gambling establishments, 93 percent of

which hold on-premise alcohol licenses. The Particular remaining establishments are

either nonprofit organizations, or perhaps firms that were

"grandfathered" inside beneath additional arrangements. Every gambling

establishment is actually authorized to function up to twenty video gambling machines.

Montana gambling establishments help make substantial contributions to

local companies as well as to the state's tax base. However, gambling has

been a controversial exercise in Montana along together with other states for a long

time. Many individuals and also teams oppose gambling in moral as well as social

grounds.

Findings in the Cross-sectional Analysis

There tend to be three gambling items suppliers inside Montana with

total employment associated with approximately 375 people. These kind of workers average

about $34,000 annually throughout wages and salaries, well above your earnings

for workers throughout gambling establishments.

The expansion involving gambling is a worldwide phenomenon. Since the

1970s, lotteries as well as casinos have been established within Europe, North

America, Australia, Asia, and also Africa. Within the particular 1990s, urban or

city-centered casinos featuring electronic gaming along with attracting local

gamblers as well as tourists - happen in order to be your emerging international

trend.

In 1997, the actual Montana Legislature appointed the particular Montana Gambling

Study Commission to conduct gambling analysis along with help to make public policy

recommendations. The Particular commission selected Your university of

Montana-Missoula Bureau associated with business and also Economic Analysis to perform an

extensive survey regarding gambling in Montana.

For a couple of kinds of offenses, crime prices tend to be higher within those
Montana counties with increased gambling. per capita VGM tax revenues are

correlated in the statistically significant method with most the property crime

index and prices associated with six some other crimes: burglary, larceny-theft, robbery,

vandalism, driving below the influence, along with weapons offenses. These

correlations held even when a number of additional achievable explanations were

incorporated to the models and statistically controlled. Analysis

showed which tax revenues usually are generally not correlated using the violent crime index

or 18 other crime categories.

Gambling and Crime

Montana problem gamblers choose VGMs, lottery items (e.g.

Powerball), along with scratch tickets - just about all actions with rapid play cycles

and immediate replay opportunities. This specific preference has additionally been

reported within studies involving issue gamblers in various other states. Concerning 48

percent associated with Montana past year issue and probable pathological gamblers

reported which they played VGMs on a every week basis, while only 8 percent

of your non-problem gamblers gave any similar response. about twenty % of

the difficulty as well as probable pathological gamblers obtain a lottery

product (e.g. Powerball) as quickly as per week or more, compared in order to two % of

the non-problem gamblers. Additional favorite video games of issue gamblers are

scratch tickets and bingo/keno.

Characteristics regarding past 12 months gamblers along with non- or perhaps infrequent gamblers
are summarized in Table 1. Montana will be unusual for the reason that gamblers

are evenly split between males along with females. about 51.5 percent associated with those
who reported gambling inside the a 12 months ago tend to be male, which could be statistically

indistinguishable in the 48.5 percent involving gamblers who are female.

Cities and also towns are usually particularly dependent on Video Gambling

Machine Tax revenue. Inside FY 1997, VGM tax distributions accounted for

almost 14 % involving cities' and also towns' total general fund

appropriations. Within FY 1990, these tax distributions had been ten percent of

their general fund appropriations.

Roughly 78 percent involving Montana adults reported gambling within the past

year. This kind of figure encompasses all gambling, which includes charitable gaming,

VGMs, Powerball, and also wagering on sporting events. Amongst American Indians

on the actual Flathead Reservation, the corresponding figure ended up being approximately

85 % [ILLUSTRATION FOR FIGURE 1 OMITTED].

American Indian Tribal Gaming

Information relating to Montana gamblers had been obtained through a

telephone survey conducted through the Bureau. during February and also March

1998, a new random cross area of Montana adults has been selected along with queried

about their particular gambling. A Pair Of separate screens had been administered to identify

problem gamblers. Your survey yielded 1,227 completions.

Paul E. Polzin may be the bureau director, John Baldridge is a public

policy analyst, Daniel Doyle is really a UM professor associated with sociology, James T.

Sylvester is actually a bureau economist. Rachel A. Volberg may become the president of
Gemini Research, Ltd., and W. Lamar Moore may end up being the operations manager.

Opposition groups happen in order to be specially successful inside limiting

electronic gambling devices. 1000's of video poker machines have got been

removed coming from non-licensed establishments within Nova Scotia and New

Brunswick. Your Alberta provincial government lately held a

high-visibility conference to debate the particular regulation involving video poker

machines.

Surveys regarding Gamblers Anonymous members are already conducted in

Connecticut, Illinois, as well as Wisconsin. These had been case studies, along with they

cannot end up being extrapolated to the general population because they will did not

include a problem gambling screen (such as SOGS or DSM-IV) which usually would

permit identification as well as comparison of problem gamblers using different

levels associated with severity.

* GA members get regarding the identical proportion associated with whites and

non-whites as the general Montana population.

The number regarding Montana Difficulty Gamblers

Employment and Wages

More than 50 % of Montana gambling firms report these people have been in

business more than 15 years, meaning that they predate the introduction

of video gambling throughout 1985.

With items including gasoline to video poker, and widely

different rules with regard to financial reporting, gambling establishments'

diverse revenue along with operations are generally difficult to track. Your technical

definition of gain will probably be various pertaining to each and every establishment, depending

on their particular accounting methods and regardless of whether they will really tend to be a
proprietorship,

partnership, corporation, or nonprofit organization. As the result, profit

cannot end up being calculated with regard to this industry.

There isn't any normal definition regarding gambling-related employment.

Three separate estimates offer ranges in employment and also worker numbers

for 1997:

* roughly 10,000 employees (of your 16,300) had face-to-face contact

with gamblers.

* roughly equal gender distribution, which usually ended up being also accurate pertaining to the

problem and probable pathological gamblers inside the family survey.

The Video Gambling machine Tax, the particular significant gambling tax in Montana,

is equal to 15 percent involving VGM expenditures, that are wagers minus

payouts. Montana law specifies which one-third with the VGM tax revenue is

distributed for the state general fund, and two-thirds in order to the

municipality - or county, if the activity occurred outside city limitations -

where the actual gambling occurred. Montana can not tax American Indian tribal

gambling operations.
The majority regarding problem gamblers in remedy are outpatients.

Outpatient treatment identifies one-on-one and also team counseling sessions.

Only a tiny proportion of difficulty gamblers need inpatient treatment,

primarily individuals suffering coming from clinical depression along along with other serious

problems. Inpatient treatment method occurs while a new affected person resides within a

treatment facility - typically for a 28-day period regarding time - and charges 6 times

more as compared to outpatient treatment. Inside Montana, inpatient remedy costs

about $9,945 for each patient, although outpatient treatment expenses with regards to $1,600.

Video Gambling machine Tax revenue features more than doubled throughout the

last decade. As proven inside Figure 5, revenues rose via $17 million

[TABULAR DATA FOR TABLE three OMITTED] in 1990 into a projected $37 million in

1998. Income from the Montana Lottery and also pari-mutuel racing offers been

stable as well as declining throughout the identical period.

Gambling establishments differ significantly in their resources of

revenue. Because demonstrated inside Figure 4, income generated through gambling ranges

from 5 to end up being able to 62 percent, depending regarding the type involving gambling
establishment.

Those establishments together with 20 VGMs reported the maximum share involving 62

percent. This could be the only real organization category exactly where gambling provides

more than one-half with the total revenue.

Profile regarding Montana Gamblers

In Montana, American Indians get higher issue gambler prices than

the rest involving the state. Within order for you to boost the quantity of American

Indians within the 1998 gambling study, interviewers questioned Indians

living on the Flathead Reservation. The Actual data uncovered that the probable

pathological price for the reservation was 2.8 percent, compared in order to 1.6

percent regarding most Montana adults. Though the particular Flathead Reservation charge was

quite the bit greater than the others with the state, it had been significantly

lower than the charge involving 5.0 % regarding Indians statewide [ILLUSTRATION

FOR FIGURE 7 OMITTED].

* Vendors specializing inside VGMs.

* Each inpatient and GA members are generally equally prone to have

attempted suicide. the attempted suicide price throughout both teams is

substantially higher than with regard to other addictive disorders and is similar

to prices with regard to depressive disorders, schizophrenia, and hereditary neurological disorders.

Montana's Difficulty Gamblers

The SOGS ended up being originally developed in the 1980s, while the DSM-IV

dates via 1994. Whilst the actual screens use slightly distinct criteria,

recent research indicates they might be both constant along with reliable. The Majority Of of

the following Montana analysis makes use of your SOGS scores to allow comparison

with the particular 1992 study, which predated DSM-IV. But, DSM-IV scores will be

used in many instances in order to allow comparisons along with some other studies.

Two recent South Dakota elections have included referenda to repeal

electronic gambling - both failed. Numerous Louisiana parishes have got banned

video poker machines. Throughout South Carolina, legislative efforts recently

failed for you to ban video gaming machines throughout the actual state.

The findings from your cross-sectional analysis suggest that a

hypothetical statewide $1 million boost in VGM expenditures would be

associated together with concerning 17 a lot more burglaries, approximately 78 more

larcenies, approximately 25 much more DUIs, 43 a lot more acts regarding vandalism, six for you to
seven

more weapons offenses, then one as well as 2 more robberies. the hypothetical

$1 million increase in VGM expenditures would improve VGM taxes by

$150,000 or even concerning $0.17 for each capita.

* Gambling institution owners who are additionally route operators. Many

gambling establishment owners have got chosen for you to legally separate VGM

ownership via their particular operation, maybe to consider advantage of financial

opportunities. These kind of route operators consist of individuals with a little number

of VGMs (under 40) and also a number of with hundreds of VGMs at multiple

statewide locations.

Final Comments

When Massie laid down his winning hand, Hickok said, "The

duffer, he broke me on the hand!" Individuals had been his final words. Using a

shout of "TAKE THAT!" McCall fired a pistol ball in in order to the back

of Hickok's head. Momentarily confused, the particular three men sat in

silence after which watched as Hickok slowly slid off his stool along with fell

onto your floor, dead. Via his dead hand fell a new couple of aces plus a pair

of eights, known ever since as the "Deadman's Hand."

Montana gambling establishments are usually diverse. These People range coming from rural,

fraternal organizations in order to urban casinos. Fuel stations/convenience

stores/casinos tend to be denoted as travel stops. Many establishments have

long featured gambling. Merely journey stops have got recently changed their

character, using 47 % adding gambling inside the final five years.

Montana gambling establishments received about $923 million in

revenue throughout 1997 [ILLUSTRATION FOR FIGURE three OMITTED]. Gambling activities

accounted for about $219 million, approximately 24 % involving total revenue.

Other important income resources included food (27 percent), alcohol (19

percent), along with gasoline and gasoline (22 percent). Miscellaneous revenue

sources, such as membership dues, accounted for your remaining 9 percent.

What does the particular relative insufficient distinguishing characteristics mean?

It shows that with the exception associated with American Indians along with seniors,

services pertaining to issue gamblers needs in order to be focused broadly rather than at

specific danger teams in the population. ??47 year old Resident Medical Officer Spivery from
Victoriaville, has several pursuits including garage saleing, Related Searches and tea tasting. Likes
to go unknown locations like Coffee Cultural Landscape of Colombia.Furthermore, it may be suitable
to

target court staff, too as marital as well as loved ones counselors, because of

the negative impacts gambling provides in family members as well as the ever-growing

divorce rate of gamblers. Within 1998, 29 percent of the situation and

pathological gamblers had been divorced (vs. 12.9 percent within the total

population and also 8.6 % inside the 1992 study).

Previous Research

Montana Gambling Today

More Montanans are playing a quantity of games, in accordance with the

1992 along with 1998 studies. This particular reconciles the particular apparent contradiction

between the actual stabilizing all round participation charge as well as the declining

rates for the three most widely used games.

Montana's existing legal gambling environment features evolved from

a lengthy tradition, dating back for the free-wheeling mining along with logging

camps associated with the last century. Throughout the actual late 1800s, card games and other
sorts

of gambling were a way to give moment regarding cowboys, deputies, gunfighters,

and some other rugged Wild West types. Not Necessarily all of them were consequently unfortunate
as

Wild Bill Hickok, though. Wild Bill achieved his finish in a card game in 1876.

The sharp-shooting marshal, that claimed to have killed countless men,

never even had the possiblity to draw his 2 ivory-handled Navy Colts that

helped him generate the standing of the toughest gunfighter inside the West

(see the sidebar regarding Wild Bill's story).

The largest expense pertaining to Montana gambling establishments was the

cost involving goods sold. Your buy regarding gasoline, food, alcohol, and also other

items for resale accounted for around $358 million, or perhaps 41 percent of
total expenses. Payroll costs, which includes fringe benefits, totaled about

$160 million, or perhaps 16 percent. Rent with regard to video gambling machines was about

19 million, as well as two percent. other expenses consist of taxes as well as licenses (3

percent), advertising (2 percent), as well as fascination (2 percent).

General Characteristics

The Issue and furthermore the Data

Montanans expended a lot much more than $239 million upon gambling last year,

mostly about video poker as well as keno machines. Interestingly, Montana had been the

first state for you to legalize video gambling throughout bars.

Montana problem Gambler Rates

* problem gambler incomes tend to be more evenly dispersed now compared to in

the 1992 study. Your boost in the highest income category is

noteworthy.

VGM Taxes and Montana Cities along with Towns

Along with the gambling industry's expansion originates a

growing opposition by citizen teams attempting to avoid or repeal legislation which usually permits
legal gambling. Electronic gambling devices

and casinos have attracted probably the particular most opposition because involving their

perceived social costs.

Not surprisingly, the disproportionate reveal involving the gamers involving these

games tend to be issue as well as probable pathological. for example, concerning 9

percent regarding Montana gamblers play VGMs on the each week basis; approximately

20 % of those gamblers score as past year difficulty along with pathological

gamblers. about 2 % purchase instant lottery tickets when the week

or more; 0.3 of which score as past 12 months difficulty or perhaps pathological

gamblers. Eight percent purchase additional lottery items (such as

Powerball); 13 percent of which are usually past yr problem or probable

pathological gamblers.

Research about the social impacts regarding gambling will be restricted because there

are relatively couple of problem gamblers and so they are usually challenging to identify.

Household surveys similar for the 1 conducted in Montana tend to be in the position to

estimate the number of issue gamblers, although not comprehensive social

impacts.

Each mailing contained letters via business leaders supporting the

survey as well as urging his or her members to finish your questionnaire, which

certainly increased your reaction rate.

Nearly 54 % regarding Montana gambling establishments tend to be organized

as corporations, about 32 percent are usually sole proprietors, and the

remainder are partnerships or other forms involving ownership, such as

fraternal organizations.

Identifying Difficulty Gamblers

Tribal casinos are not yet widespread within Montana; just 4 tribes

have signed compacts with almost all the state. Montana compacts are generally more

restrictive as compared to those who work in various other states because they permit merely
games

that are generally permitted elsewhere in the state. Specifically, table games

such as craps as well as blackjack are not allowed.

VGM Vendors

Comparing 1998 to become able to 1992, fewer issue gamblers play lottery

products (e.g. Powerball) along with scratch tickets once a week they do in

1992. However, they will play VGMs and also bingo/keno in concerning the same rate as

they would throughout 1992. With Regards To 27 percent associated with difficulty along with
probable pathological

gamblers mentioned that they often played additional lottery items (e.g.

Powerball), down via 41 % in 1992. Similarly, the percentage

playing scratch tickets once a week decreased via 32 in order to twenty % between

the 1992 and 1998 studies. the percentages regularly playing VGMs

remained steady via 1992 in concerning 50 percent, as well as the 9 percent figure

for bingo/keno in addition didn't change.

* Total gambling institution employment had been 16,300 workers.

Gender continues in order to be strongly associated with participation in various types

of gambling. Throughout the 1970s, women were significantly less likely compared to men

to gamble from casinos and through lotteries, nevertheless more inclined than men to

participate in types of charitable gambling, for example bingo and raffles.

In your 1990s, while men are even now more inclined to wager upon games associated with skill

and horse racing, females are simply as most likely as men in order to gamble at casinos

and by means of lotteries. Current analysis shows that you could find few

differences in between men and ladies throughout gambling frequency and also wagering

levels. However, the scope involving women's gambling - the particular quantity of

different forms of gambling by which females participate - is

significantly narrower compared to scope of men's gambling.

The Results

Gambling activity is actually reported as "consumer expenditures,"

which can be understood to be wagers minus payouts in order to players. Montana legal

gambling totaled regarding $239 million inside 1997. Concerning $225 million, as well as 94

percent had been commercial/charitable gambling, with the remaining $14

million generated from pari-mutuel wagering and items sold simply by the

Montana Lottery. These kind of figures change from these reported through the Montana

Board involving Horse Racing and the Montana Lottery since that they report their

gambling activities as gross wagers, without deducting payouts. American

Indian reservation gambling is simply beginning inside Montana, along with gambling

figures with regard to reservation establishments are not included on this report.

Vendors, also called route operators, offer about 66 % of

Montana's VGMs for you to gambling establishments beneath a selection of

rental, lease, along with revenue-sharing agreements.

Surveys regarding nonresidents traveling to Montana get repeatedly discovered that

few (12 to end up being able to 15 percent) reported gambling, as well as people who would gamble
spent

relatively little amounts, according to UM's Institute regarding Tourism

and Recreation research (ITRR). These benchmark surveys, on which in turn all

nonresident expenditure estimates are based, were conducted in winter

1993, summer 1996, and winter 1998.

* Vendors providing a amount of coin-operated machines, including

VGMs, video along with pinball games, and also vending machines.

As we progress in to always be able to the 21st century, technological innovations

have the potential to alter gambling inside many ways. "Cashless"

gambling allows wagering via credit rating or even debit cards. "Home

access" gambling will allow cable television for you to carry satellite

wagering straight into homes through the utilization of interactive television. Several

airlines now offer interactive gambling throughout international flights.

Finally, there can be certainly the particular prospect regarding lottery games, sports wagering,
and

casino gambling around the Internet. There are actually approximately 40 sites on

the Internet exactly where any person with a computer, modem, and Internet access can easily
wager upon lotteries, card games, slot machines, and also sports.

Especially worrisome is always that amongst American Indians statewide, more

people fall into the probable pathological category, rather than the

problem category. Through comparison, all through Montana and also in the

Flathead Reservation, more people fall to the difficulty category. In

other words, gambling is truly a severe difficulty amongst Montana's American

Indians.

The net margin cannot be calculated for that 6 types of gambling

establishments simply because with the variations in ownership, products, and

accounting practices. Your very best estimate of net margin for every category

is the industry-wide typical of 13.8 percent.

The counties nearly all influenced by VGM taxes have got remained relatively

unchanged: seven of the most notable 10 counties inside 1990 were furthermore on the checklist in

1997. Anaconda-Deer Lodge and also Butte-Silver Bow were possibly the first- or

second-ranked county within each years. They Will both get consolidated

city-county governments in inclusion to their entire VGM tax distribution (except

for Walkerville) can be compensated to some single entity.

About 23,400 Montanans are usually difficulty gamblers. Regarding those, regarding 10,400

(+/- 4,500) are past yr probable pathological gamblers. Approximately 13,000

(+/- 5,200) tend to be within the docile classification involving past 12 months problem

gambler.

Gambling as well as Taxes

The proportion of problem gamblers seeking treatment method might rise after

programs are generally established. in various other states, many years elapsed before

a sizable proportion involving difficulty gamblers learned with the solutions and

enrolled throughout remedy programs.

Employees from gambling establishments earned an typical associated with $189 per

week, excluding benefits and tips. Your corresponding figure with regard to those

with face-to-face get throughout touch with cannot be calculated because regarding different

reporting systems. Assuming they labored 51 weeks for each year, the actual estimated

average annual wage regarding all gambling business workers has been $9,600.

In comparison, the 1997 statewide average with regard to workers in consuming and

drinking locations ended up being $8,200. Employees throughout amusement as well as recreation

services earned an typical associated with $11,000 for each year, and employees regarding hotels

and lodging places earned an typical involving $10,900. These kind of latter figures

may include some tips.

Gambling Manufacturers

* Montana issue or probable pathological gamblers are equally

likely to be male as well as female (in additional states, much more are male).

Nonresident gambling expenditures totaled concerning $10 million in

1997, according to ITRR. However, this figure has a relatively large

error margin as it is actually based on couple of observations.

* GA members along with inpatients have comparable arrest and domestic

violence rates.

Problem Gambler Treatment Method Costs

As they were playing out this last hand, Jack McCall (a man who

inconspicuously appeared inside the saloon) quietly moved up behind Hickok.

McCall was just one of the many which had tried for years to gun down the

legendary lawman as well as gunfighter. in his lifetime, Wild Bill had been

involved within numerous disputes and also stood a great number regarding enemies. Until

this specific card game, no-one had been in a new position to get near Wild Bill.

But as luck had it, Hickok's again ended up being to the door and also he

couldn't observe McCall coming.

Problem Gambler Profiles, Impacts upon Families, and also Implications for

Gambler Services

The estimated victim expenses related with a hypothetical $1

million boost in VGM expenditures can be a minimal of $32,250. This specific figure is

based around the U.S. Department regarding Justice estimate that in 1992, the

average burglary resulted inside a net loss for the victim of $834. The

corresponding amount with regard to larceny and robbery were $221 as well as $555. Victim

cost estimates aren't readily accessible for additional forms of crime. the $32,250

figure is actually a likely the lowest estimate because it is according to reported crimes

which represent lower than 1 / 2 of serious crimes that actually occur.

Crime Costs

Given the for each patient costs, the actual total cost of remedy depends on

the proportion of issue and also probable pathological gamblers seeking

treatment. With Regard To example, your price for outpatient services would be

$560,000 for each yr if six % associated with the problem and also probable pathological

gamblers sought treatment. The Particular six percent figure is really a rough estimate

based around the variety of folks throughout Montana seeking therapy as a

proportion with the total quantity of issue along with pathological gamblers

based about the home survey.

Problem gamblers tend to be more inclined than these in order to file for

bankruptcy. Amongst lifetime Montana issue or even probable gamblers, about

10 % get filed with regard to bankruptcy. Approximately 4 percent of

Montanans without any lifetime gambling problems possess filed regarding bankruptcy.

In comparison, concerning 22 % of Montana Gamblers Anonymous members

have at any time pertaining to bankruptcy.

* the DSM-IV group inside the general population is actually more inclined to

resemble inpatient as well as GA peers as of this cutoff.

All nevertheless 2 states (Utah as well as Hawaii) now get legal gambling in

some form. Additionally, Indian tribes function 281 gambling facilities

on Indian lands throughout 28 states.

Net margin provides an general financial perspective involving Montana

gambling establishments and could be calculated coming from income and also expense

data. The Actual gambling establishments reported total income regarding $923 million

and expenses associated with regarding $795 million, leaving any net margin regarding $128

million, or even 13.8 percent of total revenue. Your net margin includes

before tax returns in order to proprietors (proprietors, partners, and stockholders),

capital charges, and specific additional expenses not necessarily specified on the

questionnaire (such as casino promotion). The Particular value of the actual liquor

license - that may exceed $350,000 in a new few areas - isn't explicitly

included over these calculations.

What we learned through this matched cities comparison is the real fact that crime

rate changes in between gambling and also non-gambling cities fail to adhere to a

systematic pattern. for example, the particular violent crime charge grew quicker in

Cheyenne, Wyoming (a non-gambling city) than in Excellent Falls (a gambling

city) between 1984 along with 1994, but the particular index associated with property crime
decreased

in Cheyenne while it increased inside great Falls throughout exactly the actual same period.

The average hours labored for each week pertaining to all gambling establishment

employees ended up being 29. the corresponding figure pertaining to face-to-face workers was

30.

Comparisons couldn't be made between your 1992 study and additionally the 1998

study simply because American Indian prices cannot end up being calculated regarding 1992.

The error margins with regard to almost all American Indian prices are usually big since regarding
the
small number of respondents.

* Inpatients are much a lot more likely compared to GA members to possess sought help

for alcohol problems.

Most route operators are owned by simply Montanans, although there's no

legal requirement relating to residence. Just four in the state's 99

vendors are usually owned simply by nonresidents, along with seven get both resident and

nonresident owners.

* These People typical about seven VGMs for each establishment.

The Montana Lottery is needed to end up being able to distribute its net revenue to

the state general fund. all pari-mutuel wagers are returned to be able to gamblers

except for 1 percent, which can easily be retained to spend in your Board regarding Horse

Racing. There will also be additional gambling taxes and fees which go to the

state general fund or to regulatory along with administrative agencies. A

summary associated with gambling tax income and also distribution will be offered in Table

2.

The overall gambling participation rate within Montana appears to be

stable. Any 1992 research - titled "Gambling Involvement as well as Problem

Gambling throughout Montana" as well as conducted by simply Rachel Volberg of

Massachusetts-based Gemini Analysis reported the gambling participation

rate involving 74 percent. considering the actual error margins pertaining to each percentages,

this boost isn't statistically significant.

Route operators belong to 3 groups:

Nationwide, legal gambling offers greatly expanded in the program of yesteryear 25

years. Within 1974, legal gambling expenditures within the United States Involving America totaled

about $3 billion and also occurred primarily in the 13 states with lotteries,

two states together with off-track betting, and Nevada using its multitude of

gambling activities. Through 1996, gambling expenditures reached practically $47

billion, a rise regarding practically 1,400 percent via 1974.

Table 5 presents profiles of the inpatient as well as GA extremely

pathological gamblers. These People show:

Successful problem gambler treatment requires planning and

continuity regarding funding. education and information may be emphasized

initially. Prevention along with treatment could become priorities later.

As a component of the particular 1998 gambling study, the Bureau surveyed licensed

gambling establishments in Montana. Questionnaires had been mailed in March

1998 to some random cross area of 800 gambling license holders.

Responses had been received via 427 establishments through July 2, 1998,

yielding the reaction charge associated with 55 percent. Presently there are not really any reaction
rate

standards regarding enterprise surveys.

The Survey
* Income allocated jobs identifies employment fully supported by

gambling. The Actual estimate of 3,700 workers is situated around the gambling

establishments' 24 % associated with total revenue that's derived from

gambling.

* Issue gamblers are now much more likely being divorced or separated

than had been reported inside the 1992 study.

Participation simply by Game

* There are sufficient figures of gamblers regarding analysis (59

inpatients along with 30 GA members).

It can be hard to reliably estimate little raises within criminal

justice system expenses in which may be connected together with increased gambling.

Given the big volume regarding crime presently handled from the Montana justice

system (e.g. concerning 5,000 burglaries, 33,000 larcenies, along with 1,000

robberies within 1995) tiny increases throughout crime are not apt to possess a

significant impact on total justice system expenditures. Also, most

reported crimes do certainly not result in an arrest, merely a fraction will result

in the conviction, as well as very, not many will result in incarceration.

[TABULAR DATA FOR TABLE 5 OMITTED]