Senate committee advances bill to curb professional card games after 'queen of hearts' probes

Senate File 44, a bill to make it easier for prosecutors to pursue for‑profit gambling operations, was advanced by a Senate committee after sponsors and witnesses described casinos‑style card games and so‑called "queen of hearts" raffles that have produced six‑figure pots.

Sponsor Senator John Kolb told the committee the bill is narrowly aimed at commercial operations taking a cut of games rather than social play among friends. "It was meant to be captured for to to capture the idea that if you're doing this for money in a business operation, ... it's illegal in the state of Wyoming," Kolb said during his introduction.

The gaming commission's director described patterns the bill intends to address: bars and other establishments hosting poker and similar games "in order to generate extra business for their bars, which is illegal," he said, noting that some charitable‑style raffles have been paired with larger gambling activity on the back end.

Industry and stakeholder witnesses acknowledged problems with professional poker parlors and large‑pot operations but urged care so legitimate nonprofit fundraising is not unintentionally criminalized. Mike Mosher of the Wyoming State Liquor Association said his members had seen enforcement actions and warned of "collateral damage" to small nonprofits; he said he understood the aim to prevent professional gambling but urged clearer statutory language so routine nonprofit activity and incidental sales (rentals, coffee or drinks) are not swept up.

Denise Parish, who identified herself as a member of several nonprofits, told the committee that many fraternal organizations rely on activities such as raffles and queen‑of‑hearts events to raise funds and asked that the bill not stop lawful charitable fundraising.

After closing testimony the committee moved and voted on the bill. The motion to move the measure passed on a roll call: Senators Case, Dockstader, Eyde, Pappas and Chairman McEwen recorded "Aye," and the chair announced the bill was advanced out of committee.