[email protected] 406-494-0100 Endorsed by the Vol. 23, Number 6 A Tash Communications Publication May 2018 VGM revenues fall Gaming industry can’t get going By Paul Tash try has been compounded when consider - Montana Tavern Times ing that expenses have continued to rise. The state's gaming business continues All in all, not a pretty picture for to struggle, as revenues fell slightly in the gaming businesses in Montana. third quarter of Fiscal Year 2018 from the However, gaming operators and oth - same period a year ago, according to pre - ers in the hospitality industry are liminary figures recently released by the working to improve the economic Gambling Control Division. outlook, industry representa - Third quarter, which ended March 31, tives said. registered a total of $15 million in revenues "Like many Montana from video gaming machines (VGM), small businesses, our gam - down about 1 percent from 3Q FY17, ing operators face signifi - which totaled about $15.1 million. VGM cant challenges in this revenues have flatlined in the last four economy," said John years – with third quarter totals registering Iverson, government affairs $15.2 million in 2016 and $15.1 million in counsel and lobbyist for the 2015. And the five years before that, the Montana Tavern Association. industry was working its way out of a "However, they’re resilient and recession, which dumped 2010 and ‘11 rev - will continue to work hard to enues down to the $12 million mark (see grow the market amidst these accompanying chart). challenges." Tax revenues remain about 6 percent “Flat VGM tax revenues behind the industry’s high mark of $16 mil - underscore the challenges lion recorded in the second quarter of faced by many small business - FY08. And damage suffered by the indus - See REVENUES Page 6 GIA convention set: Launch coming soon Fairmont May 22-23 for SWIG406 app By Paul Tash with registration from 1-2 p.m. and By Paul Tash, Montana Tavern Times Montana Tavern Times play from 2 to 5 p.m. The reception It's not too late. The Montana Gaming and Trade Show, featuring Montana taverns still have time to sign up to participate in the Industry Association’s gaming machine manu - newly developed mobile phone app called SWIG406 before its 28th annual conven - facturers, runs from 6 launch planned later this month. tion takes place to 9 p.m., and the Developed by the Montana Tavern Tuesday and finals of the poker Association to drive business to participat - Wednesday, May 22- tournament starts at ing taverns, SWIG406 is free for MTA 23, at Fairmont Hot 9 p.m. members to participate in. Non-members Springs Resort, about On Wednesday, will be charged a sensible fee. 18 miles west of Butte. following a buffet MTA Executive Director Margaret The event kicks off breakfast at 8 a.m., the Herriges said the app's developer is working out some minor, last- Tuesday with the fund-raising Annual Meeting will begin at minute bugs discovered in beta-testing, so the app has been delayed Freeze-Out Poker Tournament, See GIA Page 9 a bit to polish it all up. "It must be working flawlessly to provide the best user experi - ence," she said. "The better the user experience, the more success - Change service requested: P.O. Box 4307, Butte, MT 59702 ful SWIG406 will be." The delay has provided the MTA "a great opportunity," PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE Herriges added. "We are able to sign up more bars before the launch and better P A I D Permit No. 93 See SWIG406 Page 8 Livingston, MT Montana Tavern Times – 2 May 2018 May 2018 Montana Tavern Times – 3 CThMe poodlTe skiArts, ha ir dinner is a rockin’ good time bows, and bobby socks were the rage during the Central Montana Tavern Association's seventh annu - al Spirits Festival fundraiser April 11 at Lewistown’s Eagles Club. The affair featured a '50s theme, and many party- goers dressed the part. "Drive-in" food, such as hotdogs, hamburgers and fries, was the appropriate fare of the day, and a juke box provided the music. A silent auction, raffles, and a unique prize-hole fundraiser offered ample opportunities for folks to donate money, and win cash and prizes. As always, emcee Frank Carr welcomed the festive crowd and thanked the local tavern owners and support - ers for their contributions, allowing the local association to donate thousands of dol - lars to local emergency services groups. The CMTA has donated about $55,000 to emergency service organizations since 2013. The fundraiser also attracted several alcohol and food vendors, lending a nice party atmosphere to the evening. The Fergus Co. Sheriff's Association provided free rides home for guests who did not want to drive. Paul Tash photos THE CENTRAL Montana Tavern Association provided plenty of fun MILODRAGOVICH, DALE, STEINBRENNER P.C. for party-goers April 11 at its annual Attorneys Spirits Festival in Lewistown. At top, Bernard and Martie Taylor sample some whiskey provided by Patrick Liquor License Transfers, Griffith from Willie’s Distillery in Gaming Applications, Ennis. Above right, Nyna Smith Real Estate, Business Sales, points out another interesting silent auction item to her daughter, Terri and Estate Planning Kinkelaar. Above left, Steve Walter GERALD W. STEINBRENNER of the Montana Lottery gets Mike (406) 728-1455 P.O. Box 4947 Fax (406) 549-7077 620 High Park Way Lamphier to give his Red Box a E-Mail: [email protected] www.bigskylawyers.com Missoula MT 59806-4947 whirl. GERALD W. STEINBRENNER Montana Tavern Times – 4 May 2018 Tavern Times Opinion/Editorial Cheers! to National Tavern Month ABL News Release American Beverage Licensees (ABL) is proud to recognize May as National Tavern Month. Since 1953, Tavern Month has served as an opportunity to support local hospitality businesses; promote the respon - sible service and enjoyment of beer, wine and spirits; and educate the public about the history, traditions and economic impact of the hundreds-of-thousands of on-premise beverage licensees throughout the United States. The traditions of local bars and taverns embody the individualism and entrepreneur - ial courage that is the American spirit. One of the hallmarks of the bar and tavern busi - ness is face-to-face interaction with cus - tomers, to which many bar and tavern own - ers attribute their desire to enter into the business. While getting to know your cus - tomers’ first names has become somewhat of a novelty in today’s world, it remains an integral part of running a successful bar or tavern. “Bars and taverns are as much a part of the nation’s fabric and history as George changing faster than ever; bars and taverns Town,” are the personification of community Washington and Paul Revere, and have continue to adopt, embrace and utilize a spirit and social culture – central tenets to played an integral role in the development range of new technologies and tools in an this nation’s civic fabric. Whether a multi- and formation of this nation for nearly 250 effort to increase safety and improve the generational family owned and operated years” said ABL Executive Director John overall customer experience.” tavern, a new wine bar, an upscale lounge Bodnovich. “While much has stayed the The American bar and tavern, commonly or the corner bar, these establishments pro - See TAVERNS Page 5 same during this period, the times are referred to as the “Friendliest Place in Tavern Timetable — UPCOMING EVENTS — A Tash Communications Publication May 11 Gaming Advisory Council, GCD offices, Helena May 12 Yellowstone Co. TA dinner, Big Horn Resort, Billings Tavern Times Business and News Office: P.O. Box 4307, Butte, MT 59702 May 22-23 GIA Convention, Fairmont Hot Springs • TEL: 406-494-0100 • E-MAIL: [email protected] Sept. 10-13 MTA Convention and Trade Show, Missoula Paul Tash, Editor/Publisher • [email protected] — STANDING DATES — Office phone: 406-494-0100 • Cell: 406-491-0100 2nd Tues. of month Carbon/Stillwater TA 328-4807 1st & 3rd Wed. month Cascade Co. TA 453-9567 Paul Vang, Contributing Writer • [email protected] 2nd Mon. of month Central Montana TA 366-9633 Phone 406-494-5736 Quarterly (call) Flathead Co. TA 270-8069 Ad Production • [email protected] 1st Thurs. of month Hi-Line TA 265-9551 Reprints of articles and back issues are available at a cost of $10. 2nd Wed. of month North Lake Co. TA 844-3372 If you wish to begin receiving the Montana Tavern Times, send your name, mailing address, telephone number and $35 for a year’s subscription 2nd Wed. of month Lincoln Co. TA 293-4493 to Montana Tavern Times, P.O. Box 4307, Butte, MT 59702. 2nd Tues. of month Miles City TA 234-3164 Postmaster: Please send address change requests to P.O. Box 4307, Butte, MT 59702 1st Tues. of quarter Missoula Co. TA 728-0030 All rights reserved by publisher 3rd Thurs. of month Park County TA 222-0665 This publication has been endorsed by the Montana Tavern Association Last Tues. of month Ravalli Co. TA 821-1853 2nd Thurs of month Richland Co. TA 433-4354 2nd Thur. of month Sheridan-Richland-Daniels 474-2358 Write us 2nd Tues. of month Silver Bow TA 494-6062 The Montana Tavern Times welcomes letters to the editor. Letters must include the writer’s name and address. The Last Wed. of month Southwest Montana TA 835-2150 word limit is 300. Mail to Montana Tavern Times, P.O. Box 1st Mon. of month Toole Co. TA 434-2442 4307, Butte MT 59702, or email us at paul@tashcommuni - 2nd Tues.