WEST FARGO, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Attorney General Drew Wrigley has fined the West Fargo Rural Fire Department Inc. and barred it from conducting gaming at two West Fargo bars, after gaming investigators determined the organization had committed significant violations of state gaming laws and administrative rules.

At a meeting held earlier this week in the Attorney General’s office, representatives of the West Fargo Rural Fire Department Inc. were issued a Notice of Violation of North Dakota Century Code chapter 53-06.1 and North Dakota Administrative Code article 99-01.3, for conducting games of chance which directly benefited the lessor’s business, allowing the lessor to influence the determination of prizes, including bingo prizes, and conducting unsanctioned raffle activity.

The site owner, Nasser Hammami, also attended the meeting.

“The people of North Dakota support charitable gaming and expect this activity to be conducted in compliance with all laws and regulations,” said Attorney General Drew Wrigley. “This office works to protect the integrity of gaming, and uphold the expectations people have placed on this industry.”

Attorney General Wrigley fined the West Fargo Rural Fire Department $20,000 with $5,000 suspended for five years and barred it from conducting gaming activity at the Bar Nine and Bordertown Bar & Grill in West Fargo, effective immediately. Attorney General Wrigley also ordered the suspension of gaming authorizations for Bar Nine and Bordertown Bar & Grill for one year, effective, July 1, 2022.

The Attorney General has a duty to protect the integrity of the gaming industry. Only nonprofit charitable or public-spirited organizations may conduct games of chance. Lessors are paid rent by charities that conduct gaming at their site.

A lessor cannot operate games of chance or interfere with or attempt to influence the organization’s selection of games, determination of prizes, or disbursement of net proceeds.