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Lake Elmo adopts updated lawful gambling code; council declines to earmark proceeds for sheriff
Summary
The Lake Elmo City Council adopted an updated lawful gambling ordinance and authorized publication of its summary, but rejected a motion to allocate a 10% share of charitable gambling proceeds to the Washington County Sheriff's Department. Councilors debated whether dedicating funds would divert money raised for youth sports and community events.
The Lake Elmo City Council on the regular agenda adopted ordinance 2025-017 updating the city's lawful gambling code and authorized publication of the ordinance summary by resolution 2025-081.
Finance staff presented the ordinance changes as a modernization of a 1997 code, adding up-to-date definitions (including a clarified "trade area" outlining where proceeds may be spent), aligning local language with state rules and the Gambling Board, and establishing a dedicated gambling fund. Staff said the city has three charitable gambling organizations operating in city limits and has begun receiving checks; the city tentatively budgeted $20,000 in gambling revenue for 2026 and has deposited receipts into a new fund.
After the ordinance adoption, a separate motion would have directed…
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