The fight over minicasinos made its way back to City Council chambers Monday night in Lakewood.

This time, the debate centered on a six-month moratorium on minicasino construction as Washington cities prepare to ask the 2009 Legislature for more control over how cardrooms are developed.

The Lakewood City Council passed the temporary ban 5-2. Councilmembers Helen McGovern and Pad Finnigan cast the "no" votes.

The latest moratorium comes two months after Lakewood voters rejected an outright ban on cardrooms. Lakewood leaders said they had to enact a moratorium Monday night, before any cardroom owner applies for construction. Mayor Doug Richardson, who was in Maryland, phoned into the meeting to propose the action and cast his vote.

City Attorney Heidi Wachter told Lakewood leaders that the temporary ban may not have teeth legally because the state issues gambling licenses. But it puts cardrooms on notice that their businesses could eventually be restricted or even prohibited in Lakewood, she said.

Councilwoman Claudia Thomas said the moratorium, however toothless for now, helps the city's effort with the Legislature, which is being coordinated through the Association of Washington Cities.

That proposal calls for allowing cities to restrict how and where minicasinos can be developed. Currently, local governments can only allow all cardrooms or get rid of them entirely. Lakewood officials want to keep the four casinos now operating in the city, but not allow any others.

Finnigan argued the city doesn't need a moratorium. Not only did city voters reject a proposed ban of all minicasinos in November, but the city enacted zoning limits last year that make it unprofitable for cardrooms to open in all but a handful of locations.

"It's going to regulate itself," he said.

McGovern said she opposed the moratorium because Monday was the first time the City Council discussed it. State law requires cities to hold a public hearing within 60 days after enacting the moratorium, which went into effect Monday night. City leaders can drop the moratorium if they feel the public wants a different direction. A public hearing is scheduled Feb. 17.

Still, McGovern argued question the city's transparency by not giving the public a chance to speak before the council voted.

Lakewood had a series of six-month minicasino moratoriums for a period of more than two years before trying to get creative with zoning restrictions last year.

Read more in Wednesday's News Tribune.

Brent Champaco: 253-597-8653