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Montana gaming numbers mixed

MONTANA – As reported by the Billings Gazette: "The number of video gambling machines in Montana declined slightly between 2004 and June 30, 2006, but gamblers were putting more money in the machines that remained.

"Statistics compiled by the Gambling Control Division of the Department of Justice show that the total number of establishments with video gambling statewide increased by just one between '04 and the end of fiscal year '06, from 1,727 to 1,728. During the same period, the total number of video gambling machines actually declined, from 17,239 to 16,498.

"While those numbers crept downward, the amount of money fed into the machines continued to rise. According to the Justice Department's Gambling Control Division, Montanans wagered a record $1.13 billion on video gambling machines in fiscal year 2006, which ended June 30. The amount wagered this year was up from $1.06 billion in 2005 and $1.01 billion in 2004.

"… Despite the decline in the number of machines in Montana, the amount of money spent on gambling increased this year. Gambling tax collections - from a 15 percent tax on gross gambling machine income - totaled just under $57 million in fiscal year 2006, up from a little over $53 million in 2005. All that money goes into the state general fund…"

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