Laramie City Council hears state briefing on pari‑mutuel and skill‑game rules, weighs zoning and downtown impacts

Laramie — Laramie City Council members spent a June 10 work session hearing state and local officials explain Wyoming statutes and agency rules that govern pari‑mutuel wagering, historic horse racing (HHR) terminals, skill‑based amusement games and online sports wagering, and discussed using local zoning and development standards to manage where and how gaming operations locate in Laramie.

The session drew speakers from state and local government. Ashley Harpstrauth, director of the Wyoming Association of Municipalities (WAM), urged local officials to press the Legislature for explicit local approval and renewal authority and told the council “we really want to make sure that there's an approval and renewal and that they are subject to the corporate limits of any city or town.” Nick Laramende, director of the Wyoming Gaming Commission, reviewed the commission’s history, regulatory scope and technical safeguards for HHR terminals. Laramie Planning Director Taney summarized the city’s existing land‑use tools and possible code changes the council could direct staff to explore.

Why it matters: city officials said gaming growth affects public safety, municipal services and downtown character, and it already produces municipal revenue. Council members debated whether to pursue zoning limits, conditional‑use requirements, design standards (for example windows and separate entrances) or to fold public input into the city’s comprehensive‑plan update. Several councilors also asked staff to prepare outreach materials and options for a follow‑up work session.