Gambling revenue down for the year

Revenue collections from electronic gaming machines in Montana and the Montana Lottery were down 3 percent in fiscal year 2009 compared to the previous year.

Tax receipts from electronic gaming machines decreased by $1.4 million to $62.05 million. The state took in $63.42 in the previous fiscal year.

This marks the first time tax receipts from electronic gambling machines fell over the past decade. Tax receipts increased from 2.5 to 6.7 percent per year in each of the other nine years.

Profits from the Montana Lottery fell by 9 percent to $10.14 million.