Nyssa merchant gains gaming license
City Council approves measure for Bob’s Steak n’ Spirits Tuesday
By Larry Meyer
Argus Observer
Wednesday, February 13, 2008 11:08 AM PST
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| Bob’s Steak n’ Spirits, Nyssa, will now be allowed to host social gaming following action by the Nyssa City Council, Tuesday night, when it approved the application for a license submitted by owner Bob Holmes. |
NYSSA — The Nyssa City Council Tuesday night approved a social gaming license application from Bob Holmes for Bob’s Steak n’ Spirits.
Tuesday’s vote to approve the license was 6-1 with councilmembers Diego Castellanoz, Harry Flock, Kathy Flanders, Brent Huffman, Pat Brewer and Mayor Susan Walker voting yes and Pat Oliver, voting no.
Holmes told the council that its approval of his request will help the city’s economy.
“We need to bring more business to Nyssa,” he said.
Local businesses have put their money on the line and are doing their part to increase patronage, Holmes said, but they need help.
“We need more people in Nyssa. This is one way to do it,” he said.
Under the social gaming ordinance — first approved by the elected board in 2004 — Holmes, as the business owner, cannot participate or carry a financial interest in the gaming, although he is the license holder. The ordinance sets regulations, fees for the conduct of social gaming and provides penalties for violations.
“I’m just providing a place to play a game,” he said.
The betting limit is $5 on most games, with two raises allowed for poker.
“It’s a social atmosphere,” Holmes said, adding the games will mainly be games of 21 or blackjack.
“It’s fairly simple,” he said.
Addressing some concerns about who would be running the games, Holmes said, while it has to be someone from outside the business, the gaming is still done under his license and he is not going to allow anything illegal.
“I’m going to protect my license. I’m going to protect my business,” he said.
Nyssa City Manager Roberta Donovan said Holmes will have to reapply every year for a social gaming license.
An earlier social gaming ordinance had been repealed but was brought back to the council for reconsideration and was passed with five council members voting yes and two abstentions.
In her background report given at the start of the discussion, Donovan said, she, the city attorney and police chief had met with Holmes and reviewed the ordinance with him, and he had paid the $200 annual fee for one table and $100 investigation fee.
“The police chief has completed the investigation on Mr. Holmes and has found no problems or concerns that need to be addressed,” Donovan’s report said.
The council had the option to ask for more information, delay a decision until it could hold a public hearing on the issue or deny the application outright and state its reasons. Besides asking a few questions, there was little discussion among the council before the vote.
