Whitefish Montana Saloon Wins Right to Play Poker

On May 15 the vote was held to decide whether or not a conditional use permit would be granted which would allow the downtown saloon in Whitefish, Montana to operate a poker table. City Counselor Cris Coughlin was the only one to vote "no" and the three "yes" votes carry the day. The request, which had been tabled since the March 20 council meeting, was revised once interchangeability under state law of gaming tables and poker tables was made clear to the council. The city, which had an existing gambling ordinance, had to understand how the poker table would impact existing law. City Attorney John Phelps went to Flanagan's to investigate a different ordinance violation and notice the poker table, which sparked the entire debate.