FARGO - A bar owner here wants charitable organizations to have at least half as many gambling sites as their counterparts in neighboring Moorhead, Minn.

Brad Hemerick has asked city leaders to raise Fargo's limit on charitable gambling sites from two to three per organization.

Hemerick says there are businesses looking for gambling organizations with none available.

His request is on today's City Commission agenda.

Fargo's policy bars charitable organizations from operating at more than two licensed liquor establishments at the same time.

The two-site limit has been in place since 1981, when the City Commission adopted gambling guidelines.

City Attorney Garylle Stewart said commissioners could change the two-site limit by passing a resolution.

The Fargo Youth Hockey Association also favors raising the site limit.

"We'd be in full support of that, because our costs of operation keep going up," placing a greater share of the financial burden on parents, said Al Hintz, the group's vice president.

Moorhead's city ordinance allows charitable gambling organizations to operate up to six sites, or more if the City Council passes a special resolution, City Clerk Kay Bucholz said.