Senate committee advances bill to restrict skill‑game placement after grocery‑store placements draw complaints

Senate File 46, aimed at limiting where skill‑based amusement games may be located, was advanced by a Senate committee following extended testimony about machines placed in grocery store common areas that drew children and local complaints.

Sponsor Senator John Kolb said the bill responds to cases in which skill‑game machines were put on the grocery‑store floor rather than inside a fenced or age‑restricted liquor area. "The reason is is you don't want people, underage kids...in there," Kolb said, explaining the policy rationale for confining machines to areas where alcoholic beverages are dispensed for on‑premise consumption.

The gaming commission director explained the practical driver: changes in how liquor‑license footprints are described led to arguments that a full building could qualify as a licensed liquor establishment, allowing machines to be located in front‑of‑store areas. He told the committee the commission lacked clear statutory authority to redefine establishment footprints and that the bill gives "clear guidance on what is allowed and what's not allowed."

Industry representatives including Jonathan Downing and Catherine Wilkinson urged the committee to allow the gaming commission to pursue a rules‑based fix, saying the commission has a regulatory framework from 2020 and is prepared to propose rule changes. The Wyoming State Liquor Association argued the problem is chiefly location and that packaged liquor stores are already subject to strict age restrictions.

Committee members debated whether the issue is best handled by agency rulemaking or statute. Sponsor Kolb said he would draft an amendment for floor consideration to limit placement to packaged/liquor footprints shielded from minors if needed. The committee moved the bill; the roll call produced 3 ayes, 1 no and 1 conflict and the measure was advanced with the sponsor planning to circulate an amendment before floor consideration.