[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Council of the Town of Pinedale 12-8-2025 by Ord. No. 735. Amendments noted where applicable.]
A. 
The purpose of this chapter is to provide for the lawful regulation and operation of gaming and skill-based amusement games within the Town of Pinedale in accordance with the laws of the State of Wyoming and the rules of the Wyoming Gaming Commission.
B. 
This chapter is enacted pursuant to the authority granted to municipalities by W.S. 15-1-103 and other applicable provisions of Wyoming law, to promote the public health, safety, and welfare, and to ensure that gaming activities conducted within the Town are operated in a fair, transparent, and lawful manner.
C. 
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to permit any form of gambling or gaming not expressly authorized under Wyoming law and the Wyoming Gaming Commission's rules and regulations.
D. 
Compliance with zoning or building codes shall not, by itself, constitute authorization to operate a skill-based amusement game. Operation shall require (1) a valid Wyoming Gaming Commission permit and (2) local license under this chapter. No gaming establishment or skill-based amusement game shall be considered authorized within the Town of Pinedale based solely on zoning compliance; all such operations require local license and approval pursuant to this chapter.
As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:
COMMISSION
The Wyoming Gaming Commission.
CONTROL or CONTROLLING PERSON
Any individual or entity with the power to direct or significantly influence the management, ownership, or operation of a skill-based amusement game or gaming business, as defined by Commission rule.
ESTABLISHMENT
A premises holding a valid on-premises retail, bar-and-grill, resort, or club liquor license issued by the Town of Pinedale under Title 12 of the Wyoming Statutes, where patrons may consume alcohol on the premises. "Establishment" does not include any off-premises package liquor store or stand-alone business devoted primarily to gaming.
GAMING ESTABLISHMENT
Any business primarily engaged in pari-mutuel wagering, simulcasting, historic horse racing, or similar gaming activities authorized under W.S. 11-25-101 et seq.
GAMING ESTABLISHMENTS
Are separate from skill-based amusement games as defined herein.
OPERATOR
A person or entity engaged in the business of owning, operating, or managing premises on which skill-based amusement games are offered for play.
PERMITTEE
A person or entity holding a valid permit issued by the Wyoming Gaming Commission to operate skill-based amusement games.
SKILL-BASED AMUSEMENT GAME (SBAG)
A device or game of skill authorized and regulated under the Wyoming Gaming Commission's "Skill-Based Amusement Game Rules," Chapter 2 of the Commission's regulations, whereby the outcome is predominantly determined by the player's skill rather than chance.
TOWN
The Town of Pinedale, Wyoming.
VENDOR
A person or entity licensed by the Commission to supply or distribute approved skill-based amusement game equipment to operators.
A. 
All gaming and skill-based amusement games operated within the Town shall comply in every respect with the Wyoming Statutes and the Wyoming Gaming Commission's rules and regulations governing such games.
B. 
No person shall operate, maintain, or make available for play any skill-based amusement game within the Town without holding a current, valid permit or license issued by the Wyoming Gaming Commission.
C. 
Any person or business operating gaming and skill-based amusement games within the Town shall also comply with all local business licensing, zoning, and safety regulations.
D. 
Local license or zoning compliance does not substitute for, or imply, Town authorization to operate without a Wyoming Gaming Commission permit.
A. 
Each establishment located within the Town that offers or hosts skill-based amusement games shall apply annually for a local license with the Town Clerk. A local license shall be issued only upon approval by the Town Clerk. Approval shall be based solely on the following criteria:
(1) 
The applicant holds a valid on-premises or club liquor license issued by the Town of Pinedale;
(2) 
The applicant holds a current Wyoming Gaming Commission permit;
(3) 
The proposed location complies with § 240-5;
(4) 
All required information has been provided truthfully and completely; and
(5) 
No prior license issued under this chapter has been suspended or revoked for cause within the preceding 12 months.
B. 
The license shall include:
(1) 
The name, address, and contact information of the business and responsible party;
(2) 
A copy of the current Wyoming Gaming Commission permit;
(3) 
The number and type of skill-based amusement games located on the premises;
(4) 
The location of each device; and
(5) 
Payment of a local license fee as established by resolution of the Town Council.
C. 
License must be renewed annually on or before January 31 of each year.
D. 
The Town Clerk may deny or revoke a license for failure to provide accurate information, failure to maintain a valid state permit, or violation of this chapter.
E. 
Any operator shall notify the Town Clerk within 10 days of any change in the number, type, or placement of devices, or any suspension or revocation of the operator's state permit.
A. 
Skill-based amusement games may be operated only as an incidental use within an establishment holding a valid on-premises or club liquor license issued by the Town of Pinedale, subject to the licensing limitations and regulations of the Wyoming Liquor Division. No such devices shall be installed or operated in off-premises package liquor stores, convenience markets, or any stand-alone business devoted primarily to gaming.
B. 
All games shall be installed in a manner that allows unobstructed visibility and access for inspection by authorized Town or Commission personnel.
C. 
No more than the number of devices authorized under Wyoming Gaming Commission rule shall be operated on any single premises.
D. 
Any proposal to relocate, expand, or materially alter a gaming area shall require prior review and written approval by the Town Clerk and Zoning Administrator.
E. 
Any establishment operating skill-based amusement games shall restrict all such devices to a designated restricted gaming area. The restricted gaming area shall:
(1) 
Be limited to persons 21 years of age or older at all times;
(2) 
Be physically separated from any area where persons under 21 are permitted; and
(3) 
Post conspicuous signage stating, "No persons under 21 permitted in gaming area."
A. 
Gaming establishments engaged in pari-mutuel wagering, simulcasting, or historic horse racing shall not be permitted in any zoning district other than Light Industrial (I-1).
B. 
No such facility shall operate unless approved by conditional use permit granted by the Town Council under § 475-128.1.
C. 
No pari-mutuel or simulcast facility shall be deemed authorized solely by virtue of zoning compliance or state permitting.
A. 
The Town, in cooperation with the Wyoming Gaming Commission, shall have the authority to inspect premises and equipment at reasonable times to verify compliance with this chapter and state law.
B. 
Operators shall provide full access to premises, records, and gaming devices upon request by the Town Clerk, law enforcement, or Commission representatives.
C. 
Any violation of this chapter, or operation of a game in violation of Commission rules or state law, may result in suspension or revocation of local license and referral to the Commission or law enforcement for enforcement under Wyoming law.
D. 
The Town may issue notices of violation, suspend license pending correction, or initiate abatement proceedings to remove any unpermitted or unlawful devices.
A. 
Any person who operates, permits, or allows operation of a skill-based amusement game in violation of this chapter or without a valid state permit shall be guilty of a municipal offense.
B. 
Each day a violation continues shall constitute a separate offense.
C. 
Upon conviction, the violator shall be subject to penalties as provided in § 1-29 of the Pinedale Municipal Code, and may also be subject to any applicable state enforcement action or penalty imposed by the Wyoming Gaming Commission.
D. 
In addition to penalties, the Town may suspend or revoke any business license or license associated with the violation.
E. 
Violations of zoning or conditional use limitations applicable to gaming establishments shall be enforced under the zoning enforcement provisions of the Pinedale Municipal Code.
F. 
Operation of any pari-mutuel or simulcast gaming activity within the Town without an express conditional use permit granted under § 475-128.1 constitutes a violation of this chapter.
If any provision of this chapter or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect the other provisions or applications of this chapter that can be given effect without the invalid portion, and to this end the provisions of this chapter are declared to be severable.