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Council backs allowing six video gaming terminals at two local establishments
Summary
Council members agreed in principle to raise the local allowance so The Peak and the Blue Ox can operate six video gaming terminals each; staff will adjust licensing as businesses complete state requirements and council urged retaining business-qualification safeguards.
On March 10, the Washington council discussed and generally supported increasing the allowable number of video gaming terminals at local establishments to better align with businesses’ operations.
Staff reported the city currently has 53 gaming stickers across 10 establishments and an ordinance cap that effectively limits new installs; under existing ordinance the city limit (57 stickers) would let The Peak install only four machines. Jeff Gel, owner of The Peak, asked the council to permit six machines, arguing that additional machines allow more manufacturers and game variety and improve profitability. "If you have six machines then you can have more manufacturers present which allow you to have more games," Gel said.
Several council members — including Mr Brownfield, Mr Martin and others — said they support allowing six terminals for The Peak and for the Blue Ox as that business completes licensing. Council members and Chief McCoy urged maintaining the criteria that have kept gaming as an accessory to food/service businesses rather than turning locations into gaming parlors, and suggested retaining waiting-period and business-qualification restrictions designed to guard against rapid expansion of gaming-only venues.
Next steps: staff and the clerk will process pending license applications when state approvals arrive and will bring ordinance language or administrative steps needed to adjust the local sticker cap back to the council if a formal change is required.
