CHEYENNE - Wyoming poker fans won another hand Friday when the House Travel Committee approved a bill, already passed by the Senate, that would permit the return of "social" poker games to state bars and restaurants.

"The counties were not consistent in their interpretation of the gaming laws of this state, and we felt we needed to clean that up," House Travel Committee Chairman Rep. Pat Childers, R-Cody, said.

In 2004, Attorney General Pat Crank effectively banned poker games from public establishments when he issued an opinion saying poker games in bars violated the state's gambling law. Crank's opinion said the games are illegal because they allow establishments to profit from gambling, even if that profit is just from increased business.

"What this statute would do is return it to what the acknowledged law had been up until two years ago when the attorney general came up with a new definition of indirect profit," Sen. Bruce Burns, R-Sheridan, said. Burns said under the current interpretation, bars and restaurants could be found liable if there was a social poker game taking place on their grounds.

The proposed law would not permit establishments to sponsor tournaments between strangers.

Mike Moser, executive director of the Wyoming State Liquor Association, agreed with Burns and said business owners support the legislation because they need clarification of state policy.

"Our concern is not just for our customers, it's for our livelihood," Moser said. "If you're nailed for felony gambling, even if it was just grandma and her friends playing poker at the table, it becomes a pretty serious thing for business."

Byron Oedekoven, executive director of the Wyoming Association of Sheriffs and Chiefs, said the bill would be helpful from a law enforcement angle as well. "I welcome the clarity that the bill goes forth and deals with if that is what the legislature decides to do," he said.

The bill now moves to the full House for consideration.