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Jury still out on new Montana line games

Posted: Feb 10, 2012 7:45 PM by Jen Hollenbach (Great Falls)
Updated: Feb 11, 2012 8:25 PM


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Montana gaming revenues jumped almost 4% over the last quarter and the day after the period ended, line games were introduced for the first time off of Montana reservations.

That has some fresh faces coming in to test the new casino games and that could mean another gain in revenue for Montana.

This marks the first time since 2008 that the gaming industry in Montana is generating an increase in revenue and players now have the option of line games, a development that's bringing in fresh faces to casinos.

"There's a lot of people that have never gambled that are coming in just for that because they think it's like the Las Vegas games, and they are pretty neat like that," Great Falls casino attendant Dylan Pierce explained.

But Pierce says the line games only account for 6% of the money coming in to gamble at the Emerald City Casino, perhaps meaning that people who have tried the new games aren't sticking with them.

"Most people that played them have switched back to Keno. But it's nice to have an option," Pierce said.

But for some gamblers, it's as simple as cost of play.

"If you don't play max, I don't think it pays out as well. Typical of the way line games kind of work," casino patron Ronald Reardon said.

And others just can't betray their old faithful games.

"I'm kind of stuck on the Keno thing. If I need some help I'll grab somebody," fellow gambler Steve Ortez told us.

While gamblers may not be too keen on the line games just yet, Pierce believes in time they will as people will slowly learn the game and become more comfortable with it.

"If they don't win right away, they're going to back off. And eventually they'll come back," Pierce predicted.

Ortez and Reardon say it's not even the games that draw them in, rather it's the environment the casinos provide- because in the midst of good customer service and wasting time with friends there can sometimes be some fun surprises.

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