Wyoming Poker Players Win a Victory

The halls of Government have been a place where victories for the poker industry have been few and far between. On February 2nd though, an important step to lifting the ban on social games of poker in the state of Wyoming was made. The Bill that would allow for poker to again be legally played in bars in restaurants was passed by the House Travel Committee. It had previously been passed by Wyoming Senate, and looks like it is well on its way to becoming the law of the land in the western State.The ban on public poker has been in place since 2004 when the State's Attorney General, Pat Crank, outlawed the practice. In his opinion public gaming in mainstream social establishments violated the state's gambling law. It is his belief that public gaming in bars and restaurants is illegal because it allows these establishments to profit from gaming activities. Even though the businesses may not profit in the traditional sense as casinos do from gaming, Crank's conclusion was that restaurants and bars profited from increased business. If passed, the bill will reverse this law and allow bars and restaurants to once again increase foot traffic with public games of poker.