Gambling figures down for the state, higher here

Preliminary tax figures from the state Gambling Control Division show revenue from gambling video machines for the second quarter of fiscal year 2014 fell about 2 percent statewide compared to the same period one year earlier.

Tax revenues are about 14 percent below the gambling industry’s high mark of $16 million posted before the statewide smoking ban went into effect and the country went into an economic recession.

Revenue numbers are higher in Flathead County, which saw $1.15 million in tax revenue from video gaming machines in September through December 2013, a 4.7 percent increase over the same period one year earlier.

Flathead County ranks fourth among Montana’s counties for video gaming revenue and is close to overtaking Missoula County.

All three cities in the Flathead saw increased revenue year-to-year for the second quarter. Video gaming tax revenue in Whitefish increased 5.3 percent to $113,664, while revenue in Kalispell increased 2.9 percent to $636,191 and revenue in Columbia Falls increased 1.7 percent to $160,004. Columbia Falls takes in 42 percent more video gaming tax revenue than Whitefish.