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Westland council amends code to allow charitable gaming in pool and billiard rooms
Summary
Westland City Council voted to adopt an amended ordinance permitting charitable gaming at pool and billiard rooms for state-licensed organizations, after the council approved a targeted amendment and brief debate.
Westland City Council on the evening of Sept. 2, 2025, voted to adopt Ordinance 111b to amend Westland City Code Chapter 14 to permit charitable gaming in pool and billiard rooms for organizations properly licensed by the state.
Council members passed an amendment that narrowed the ordinance to retain only the provision allowing charitable gaming in pool and billiard rooms (Section 14-29(c)) and removed several subsections as introduced. Councilwoman Rakowski, who offered the amendment, said the change was meant to make the ordinance apply equally across similar amusement businesses rather than singling out a single operator.
The ordinance as amended removes the additional, more detailed subsections that were part of the originally introduced draft and keeps the streamlined language allowing charitable gaming in pool and billiard rooms, subject to state licensing. Rakowski said the existing city code previously treated a single entity differently and that the amendment was intended to extend the same allowance to other similar businesses.
Council members debated the pace of the ordinance process. Councilwoman Valens said she would vote in favor but urged the council to slow down on ordinance changes in the future so members have time for study sessions and potential second readings. Pro Tem Sampey and other council members said they supported expanding opportunities for small businesses and nonprofits to raise funds, noting local operators and charities have struggled with fundraising.
A member of the public who identified himself only as Corey, describing himself as a small business owner, had urged the council earlier to allow gaming in local venues to keep charitable proceeds in the community, saying "poker halls like these can really help out countless charities by bringing in much needed funds." That public comment was offered during the meeting's agenda input period.
The motion to adopt Ordinance 111b as amended passed without recorded roll-call detail in the meeting transcript; the council declared the motion carried.
City officials and council members said they expect to revisit charitable-gaming language in a future ordinance to provide more comprehensive rules and processes for applications and oversight.
