Montana’s legislature is considering a bill that would not hold bars or other establishments liable if patrons want to play dice games such as cee-lo, which is also called 4-5-6.
The bill was prompted by a report from the state’s gaming control board which outlined how two of the board’s investigators observed a game at a Butte Montana club, but couldn’t join as the stakes were too high.
The bill was proposed by State Rep. Ryan Lynch, D-Butte who said he is not trying to expand gambling in the state, but simply wants to allow bars to let patrons paly the dice games without being held liable.
The bill quickly drew opposition from state regulators and the Gaming Industry Association of Montana which both charge the bill would authorize and unregulated game.
“While it may seem like what you’re authorizing is not a big deal, it is a big deviation from other gambling activities,” Angela Nunn, administrator with the state’s gambling control division told a legislative committee at a hearing on the bill.
Lynch, however, said the Butte club in question in the control board’s report was sanctioned and fined for allowing the patrons to play the dice games and he feels that a common-sense approach is needed to solve potential liability problems for bars and clubs.
The bill has passed Montana’s House of Representatives and has moved onto the State Senate.
