PPA State Blog: Montana

“Tom Oberweiser, district supervisor for the state Gambling Investigations Bureau, said his officers raided a warehouse at 3 a.m. Nov. 9 and seized poker tables and cash. “

I spoke with Tom by phone and although he could not speak about specifics of this case due to legal reasons, we did cover the important topics that are relevant.  I first asked how law enforcement found out about the Poker game ?  Oberweiser said that they had multiple tips, and suggested that they came from legal card room operators. 

Oberweiser  told me that they(the Law) were basically protecting Legal gambling.  As far as state and local laws go here in Montana home poker games are fine and may actually enjoy some freedoms that licensed card rooms don’t have such as pot limits of $300 (id like to see that change).  Where these poker enthusiast/entrepreneurs went wrong is that they were basically running a public business.  I get the feeling that there may have been a rake and some form of dealer compensation.  The game operator(s) allegedly recruited players from legal card rooms to play, and included after hours operation.  after hours operation of a card room is legal in two cities in Montana, and both happen to be the college towns of Bozeman and Missoula. 

There was no sting so to speak…no targeting of poker…by religous fanatics or poker haters…law officials were most likely tipped off by legal card room operators. Fellow poker players dropped the dime, WHY?  aside from the obvious, after talking with a few local card room operators it is clear.  “They stepped on toes” one anonymous source told me. 

A card room license is about $150 for 1 table in Montana, it is how some people make a living.  It is not a monumental undertaking or big burden to comply with the laws and have a legal game.  I doubt if they will get jail time but I do hope they learn their lesson.  This is clearly not a case of big brother squashing evil gaming or connected mafia poker/gambling eliminating the competition.  This is probably some enthusiastic entrepreneurial poker players getting ahead of themselves, and being careless. 

The biggest problem that poker faces is legitimacy.  We must embrace transparency and some kind of regulatory influence. sometimes we may disagree with the type of regulation…that is why we are members of PPA, we get involved.  Our system may be flawed but we can make a difference.  Thumbing your nose at people who follow the rules and run good games and the federal, state and local Law is sheer stupidity….and bad for Poker over all.

I am waiting on some calls that hopefully give me some more information….I will post anything I get here.  please comment…Id like to know what you think!

Mike

State Director Montana

The Montana Gaming Control Division regulates all forms of gambling in Montana including Indian Gaming, except the Board of Horse Racing licenses and regulates the live and simulcast horse racing industry, and the Montana Lottery functions autonomously.

The Gaming Control Division oversees 1600 licensed gambling operators. There are legal gambling establishments in every county in the state. Montana has video poker, raffles, bingo, keno, bridge, cribbage, hearts, pan, pinochle, pitch, poker, rummy, solo, whist, and shake-a-day.

Sports pools, fantasy sports leagues and sports tab games are also legal.

Contact the Gambling Control Division

With the exception of its field offices, all Gambling Control Division offices are located at the following address:

Gambling Control Division
Department of Justice
2550 Prospect Avenue
P.O. Box 201424
Helena, MT 59620-1424

Phone: (406) 444-1971
E-mail: gcd@mt.gov

Montana Banana

The pocket cards 9-2, either suited or offsuit.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: It is a widely asserted myth that this nickname originates from the legalization of poker in Montana by Proposition 92. However, poker was legalized in Montana by the Card Games Act, 23-5-311. The actual origin of the term is unknown. Applies only to Texas Hold’em.

EXAMPLE: “I had Montana Banana and quickly folded.”

OK ill be first…I’m about 45 years old and play a fair amount online…mostly Pokerstars…I’m not that good, I break even if I’m lucky.  I like to play tournament poker live and do a lot better so watch out if I’m at your table.  Tragedy struck our family in the form of cancer this last year and we lost our youngest on June 11th, in Seattle.  We as a family went to Lee Rousso’s and PPa press conference/Rally in  Renton Washington in May. Logan had been getting treatment in Seattle and he loved poker sohe and his brothers got an education but best of all we got to meet Barry Greenstien and Andy Bloch.  What a great time Logan was thrilled, he learned first hand that poker is not a crime. 

 I look forward to getting to know more players from our great state and working together to get sensible laws in place. 

This is the future site to find PPA activity in your state, recent local poker news, and the latest information from your PPA State Director.

Your State Director is currently in the process of building this site. We appreciate your patience.

In the meantime, please consider doing the following:

- Register at PPA Online (it’s free)
- Sign up to receive PPA State Blog Updates
- Say hello to fellow state PPA members in your State Forum
- Bookmark this url
- Submit poker news about what is happening in your city or state.
- Let your State Director know that you can volunteer.

Thanks for your support.