The games are a statewide problem, said Tom Montoya, chief of enforcement for the Wyoming Liquor Division.
He said there isn't a statewide consensus about what constitutes gambling under the criminal code.
Montoya said state law allows social gambling, but it becomes a problem when poker games are taken out of the home and into a bar. He said when bars start to turn a profit, even if it's indirectly, it becomes professional gambling.
He said bars likely profit indirectly in drink sales when they bring in the poker crowd, but the question hasn't been formally answered.
"Hopefully, through the attorney general's office and the Legislature, we'll get clarification," he said.
Games were shut down at Snake River Pub and Grill on Friday night, said Troy Meeks, the establishment's general manager.
He said several bars have hosted games for months, and Snake River followed these same guidelines.
"It's a way to get people in on a Tuesday night," Meeks said.
He added this gray area in the law has created confusion and he'd like to see the matter sorted out legislatively.
"I want to play by the rules," he said.
Games also were shut down at Two Bar Bowling, said owner Myron Langhoff.
He said poker games had been going on at his establishment for six months without any problems.
Before starting the games, he called the Cheyenne Police Department to see if there would be a problem.
"We were told as long as we didn't make any direct profit there's nothing wrong with the game itself," he said. "We can't charge people to play. We can't take a cut. We can't provide dealers; they have to provide their own."
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Understand the difference between playing at the casino and playing online. At the casino, you'll have to play more wisely against possibly more skilled competition.
