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Lacey council repeals ban on social card games, signals future zoning review
Summary
The City of Lacey on March 17 adopted Ordinance 1699 to repeal its municipal prohibition on social card games and pull tabs, after staff explained state tax distinctions and council asked that zoning and concentration rules be considered in a follow-up session.
The Lacey City Council voted unanimously on March 17 to adopt Ordinance 1699, which repeals Chapter 5.06 of the Lacey Municipal Code that prohibited social card games.
Assistant City Manager Shannon Kelly Fong told the council staff recommended repeal and provided updated tax-analysis detail. Fong said state law distinguishes gross receipts and net receipts for pull-tab/punch‑board taxes: the statutory maximum for gross receipts is 5 percent while the maximum on net receipts is 10 percent. Staff noted most pull-tab games must pay at least 60 percent of gross receipts in prizes, limiting theoretical gross profit and the practical tax base.
Council members asked whether the repeal would lead to a concentration of card rooms in particular neighborhoods. Fong said the ordinance is a general repeal and that any zoning or concentration limits would be a separate discussion for community and economic development and a future work session.
A motion to adopt Ordinance 1699 was moved, seconded and passed unanimously.
What happens next: the ordinance removes the citywide prohibition. Council directed staff to return with additional information about zoning and concentration options before any significant new card‑room activity occurs.
The vote: Ordinance 1699 adopted (motion moved by a council member, seconded; recorded voice votes were unanimous).
