March 21 was Black Friday for bingo in Cody. That’s the day the Wyoming Gaming Commission (WGC) called three local bars to inform them that their popular bingo night promotions were a no-go.
Brian Walker was getting ready for another Friday Night Music Bingo at Cody Craft Brewing when he got a call from the WGC. He said Trey Warne, senior inspection specialist, informed him that someone had reported the brewery for hosting “an illegal bingo night.”
“Whoever reported it said this was a cash game, but we’ve never run a cash game,” Walker told Cowboy State Daily. “We do this for fun and to give folks something to do in winter. The prizes we hand out are Cody Craft Brewing merchandise.”
When Walker explained this to Warne, telling the agency it had been “grossly misinformed” about the music bingo game. Cody Craft Brewing was allowed to continue Friday Night Music Bingo, but the other businesses weren’t so lucky.
“We’ve been doing this for three years now,” he said. “I’m not really sure why someone would be speaking up about it now.”
Bingo Black Friday
Cody Craft Brewing wasn’t the only spot that got a call from the WGC on Friday.
The Silver Dollar Bar and Brewgard’s Liquor and Lounge got calls about allegations they also were hosting “illegal gambling” and had to cancel their respective bingo nights.
The information reporting the three businesses came from the same anonymous source.
“We are very sad and angry at the fact that the state of Wyoming is stealing our business and our customers by dictating what we can and cannot do,” Brewgards owner Lucas Dunlap posted about the cancellation of his business’s bingo and music bingo nights. “But we must follow the law! It is a felony offense if we do not comply. We had a blast doing bingo while it lasted.”
The Silver Dollar Bar shared similar sentiments when it announced its Sunday night bingo could no longer continue.
“We had a great time hosting bingo and seeing everyone on Sundays,” the post read. “Unfortunately, not everyone likes to see others have a good time.”
It’s The Law
Michael Steinberg, the WGC’s deputy director, said bingo falls under Wyoming State Statute 6-7-101, which states that bingo and pull tab games “shall only be conducted by charitable or nonprofit organizations which have been in existence for at least three years.”
“The law says that bingo is only for nonprofits and charities in Wyoming, and you must have a license to do it through the WGC to do it,” he added. “That’s not a rule created by the WGC, and It’s nothing our office can change.”
If any organization other than a recognized 501(c)3 nonprofit wants to host bingo or a pull-tab game, the Wyoming Legislature would need to amend or repeal the statute, Steinberg said.
“It’s not a WGC rule, it’s a law,” he said. “And the WGC enforces all state statutes.”
Who And Why?
Steinberg confirmed that the complaints against Cody Craft Brewing, Brewgards and the Silver Dollar came from one source. The complaint that prompted the calls and cancellations was submitted anonymously online.
Walker wants to know who reported Cody Craft Brewing’s bingo night and why they reported it after all this time, as it’s gone three years without incident before this.
“Folks come in, pick up a bingo card and play the game while they enjoy a beer and dinner,” he said. “The WGC was just doing their job, but they were told something different about our game. There are no cash prizes or gambling involved.”
Dunlap said he’d be writing to the WGC to express his frustration and encouraged others to do the same.
“Feel free to write and let them know how you feel about this,” he said. “This is absolutely ridiculous and will massively affect business for multiple businesses in town.”
Walker has submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to see if the complainant's identity can be divulged. He’s not looking for retribution but understanding.
“It’s unfortunate for everyone because lots of people in Cody like to come out and play,” he said. “We try to avoid this riff-raff and focus on making good beer. It’s frustrating that someone with bad information reported us to the WGC.”
Andrew Rossi can be reached at arossi@cowboystatedaily.com.
