Phil Drake

pdrake@greatfallstribune.com

Montana ranked fourth in terms of being the most gambling-addicted state, according to a study released Tuesday by a consumer advocacy website.

The Treasure State was third when it came to gambling friendliness and 38th when it came to gambling problems and treatment rank, WalletHub’s study found.

“I wouldn’t be surprised, given how gambling is on every street corner,” said Charles Sygowski, director of office administration with Delaware Council on Problem Gambling, which handles calls for the Montana Council on Problem Gambling. “Any kind of package store can have a separate room that has 10-20 machines in it.”

Neil Peterson, executive director of the Gaming Industry Association of Montana, said he read the report and had questions.

“I see their methodology, but I can’t get any information for how they came up with the points,” he said, adding he was surprised Montana ranked above New Jersey, where there is more betting, and Oklahoma, where there is open-ended gambling.

“It’s confusing to me,” he said.

A refreshing change to state liquor, gaming licenses

According to the survey, Montana ranked first for legality of sports gambling; fifth for number of casinos per capita; fourth in number of gaming machines per capita; 11th in percentage of adults with gambling disorders; and 18th with the National Council on Problem Gambling Affiliation.



Nevada topped the list, followed by South Dakota, Mississippi, Montana and Oklahoma.

Utah was 50th, edging out Nebraska, Alabama, Arizona and Kansas.

The study notes Americans lose roughly $100 billion gambling each year, with fans expected to wager more than $100 million on the Kentucky Derby on May 7. It also refers to a study by the National Council on Problem Gambling that states compulsive gambling costs an estimated $6 billion per year. Another study claims a male gambling addict accumulates an average debt between $55,000 and $90,000 whereas a female averages $15,000.

The Gambling Control Division under the Department of Justice reports that Montana has more than 1,400 licensed gambling operators and locations and more than 16,000 video gambling machines.

The DOJ notes there are legal gambling establishments in every county in the state.

Video Gambling Machine tax collections for the second quarter of fiscal year 2016 in Montana were $14.7 million, a 3 percent decrease from the previous quarter. But it is less than a 1 percent decrease in collections from second quarter of fiscal year 2015, according to the DOJ.

During the second quarter of fiscal year 2016, 650 video gambling machines permits were issued, the DOJ stated. This is a 4.4 percent decrease from 2015.

The total number of bingo and keno licenses issued through the second quarter of fiscal year 2016 was 90 — 57 commercial and 33 exempt — which is 15.3 percent more than 2015, according to the DOJ. By the end of second quarter, the number of card tables permitted during fiscal year 2016 was down 5.9 percent from 2015 with 205.

Arlene Simon, executive director of the Delaware Council on Problem Gambling, said her organization receives 10-20 telephone calls a month from Montana.

“It’s not that much,” Simon said, adding that problem gamblers “can go along, go along and go along, but they are pretty close to rock bottom when they call for help.

“Most people who do call tell us that there are slot machines on every corner and it makes it difficult to go by and not stop in and gamble, especially though when they are prone to that,” she said.

The 24-hour line offers them advice on treatment, counselors and Gamblers Anonymous meetings.

The WalletHub study was based on metrics such as the number of commercial and tribal casinos per 100,000 population, population aged 18 and older, number of gaming machines per 1,000 population, gaming revenues per capita, limited-stakes gaming revenues per capita, lottery sales per capita, presence of illegal gambling operations, legality of sports gambling, legality of horse-race gambling and gambling problems and treatment.

Peterson said he was surprised South Dakota ranked high in the study, adding it was much like Montana, a state with a small population, features video gaming and has a limited amount people who can bet.

He said the Gaming Industry Association of Montana funds the Council on Problem Gambling hotline.

“We know people have problems and gamble beyond their means,” he said. A network of counselors has been set up across the state and the organization pays for counseling for people.

“It’s 100 percent funded through the gambling industry,” he said, adding that includes the lottery contractor.

He said gaming provides entertainment value, but people have to know their limits.

“I tell people, I like to golf, I belong to a private club and I golf at other courses,” he said. “Some people would look at that and say it’s a waste of money.”

Peterson said some people say the same thing about hunting.

He said indulgences are fine, “as long as you do it within your means.”

Need help?

The Montana Council on Problem Gambling website is www.mtproblemgambling.org.

The 24 hour help line-1-888-900-9979.

Information about Outpatient Treatment 1-888-900-9979.

To block access to online gaming: www.gamblock.com.

The WalletHub study is at: http://bit.ly/1NlD8H0.