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Pizza Pub to end charitable gambling partnership; local hockey association says it is licensed to step in
Summary
Pizza Pub of Center City LLC sent notice it will end its charitable gambling partnership with the Center City Fire Department effective Dec. 31, 2025; the Chisago Lakes Hockey Association said it is licensed by the state to conduct charitable gambling and councilmembers directed staff to schedule follow-up meetings.
A letter from Pizza Pub of Center City LLC stating it will discontinue its charitable gambling partnership with the Center City Fire Department effective Dec. 31, 2025 was presented to the Council at its Dec. 2 meeting.
Representatives from the Chisago Lakes Hockey Association (CLHA), Dustin Howard and Erica Christopherson, told the council the association is licensed through the State of Minnesota to conduct charitable gambling as of September 2025. Center City Relief Association President Joe Anderson said the Pizza Pub's letter thanked the association for past work but that there were state notifications indicating the lessor had attempted to dictate the conduct of gambling at the site, which Anderson said is not allowed by state statute. Charitable gambling manager Dan Twohy said the letter on file lacks a written signature and expressed a desire to verify with the owner whether the letter accurately reflects the owner's intent, noting that termination of a gambling lease requires two weeks' notice and must be formally reported to the State of Minnesota within 10 days of a change.
Councilmember Sally Swanson asked the CLHA representatives if they had reviewed the City ordinance on gambling, specifically —7 110.01(F) on distribution of proceeds; they had not and a copy was provided. The ordinance requires that an organization expend 90% of proceeds within the City's trade area, defined in the ordinance as the City of Center City and the townships of Chisago Lake and Franconia. Councilmembers agreed to schedule a meeting with two councilmembers, the Pizza Pub owner, and the Center City Fire Relief Association to discuss the change; the City Clerk will attempt to schedule that meeting, and further discussion is on the agenda for Jan. 6, 2026.
No formal action was taken at the Dec. 2 meeting; councilmembers and Relief Association leaders signaled they would seek confirmation of the owner's intent and ensure state notification and local ordinance compliance.
