The 2025 legislative session in Wyoming is underway and Representative Robert Davis has already introduced a new bill to legalize online casinos in Wyoming in 2025.
Rep. Robert Davis has proposed House Bill 0162, which would allow interactive gaming in Wyoming under the regulation of the Wyoming Gaming Commission (WGC). Reps. Landon Brown and J.T. Larson co-sponsored the bill. It lays out a possible regulatory framework for online gaming and includes revenue projections.
The bill permits online gaming on tribal lands through a state gaming agreement, as Wyoming only has Native American casinos and no commercial ones.
Last year, Davis introduced House Bill 0120 (HB0120), which aimed to allow iGaming in Wyoming but didn't pass. It called for “An act relating to gaming; authorizing interactive gaming; providing for regulation by the Wyoming Gaming Commission; imposing fees; providing for the collection and distribution of revenues from interactive gaming; providing for a continuous appropriation; requiring rulemaking; providing penalties; and providing for effective dates,” according to the text of the bill.”
Some tribal gaming leaders in the state have concerns about iGaming. However, HB0120 included ways for Wyoming tribal operators to join internet casinos.
Even though it didn't pass, this could help lawmakers and tribal leaders work together to create a bill everyone supports this year.
What Does HB0162 Call For?
Here are the key highlights of the new bill:
- House Bill 0162 requires the Gaming Commission to issue at least five interactive gaming operator permits.
- Operators with an existing online sports betting permit in Wyoming pay a $2,500 application and renewal fee.
- Approved operators pay a $100,000 fee for an initial iGaming license, valid for five years.
- Renewing an iGaming license costs $50,000.
- An initial five-year iGaming vendor permit costs $10,000, with a $5,000 renewal fee.
In addition, the Gaming Commission will create an iGaming compliance program to evaluate the conduct of operators and vendors.
How Will Online Casino Revenue Be Distributed Under New Bill?
HB 0162 requires licensed iGaming operators to distribute their monthly gaming revenue as follows: 16% goes to the WGC, with the first $300,000 earmarked for the Wyoming Department of Health to fund problem gambling programs.
Counties in Wyoming receive 40% of the revenue, divided based on population. The Wyoming School Foundation Program receives 50% of the revenue, and the commission's account gets 10% to cover administrative costs.
Wyoming Hoping To Join Short List of Legal Online Casino States
In the past, Wyoming has always rejected online casino bills, so online casinos remain illegal in the state.
Currently, just seven states allow internet casinos. They include:
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Michigan
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- West Virginia
However, recent studies highlight the benefits of bringing online casinos to Wyoming, prompting lawmakers to reconsider. Representative Davis is leading the push to reintroduce the bill, arguing that online casinos would benefit Wyoming without harming other gaming sectors.
What a Wyoming Online Casino Bill Could Mean
A study by the Wyoming Gaming Commission and Spectrum Gaming Group, a leading consulting firm in the gaming industry, found that legalizing online casinos in Wyoming could bring significant benefits.
Spectrum estimates that the total addressable market for Wyoming HHR games, based on gross gaming revenue, is $408.8 million, as shown in the chart below. A significant portion of this potential market comes from out-of-state residents, mainly from Colorado and Utah.
They predict that in the first year, legal online casinos would generate $93 to $138 million in revenue. This could result in up to $30 million in state taxes, which could fund projects benefiting Wyoming's population of over 500,000. These figures exclude additional revenue from strategies like selling gaming licenses.
The study’s authors estimate that by the fifth year, revenue could nearly double to $162 to $199 million. The researchers also believe that online casino revenue would not harm Wyoming's physical casinos or other gaming segments.
Recent Attempt To Legalize Failed in Close Vote
In the most recent vote, 25 representatives supported the bill while 36 opposed it.
Since the bill only needed a majority to pass, it missed approval by just a few votes. Representative Davis is confident that recent research will help win those votes when he presents the bill again in 2025.
Wyoming tribes have land-based sports betting locations but do not offer online services. Independent sports betting operators who cater to online needs are mandated to geofence their service from tribal territories. However Davis wants online casinos to have more freedom because he thinks they cater to two different types of people.
He also thinks the successful legalization in states like Connecticut and Delaware can serve as helpful examples for convincing voters.
The Future of Online Casinos in Wyoming
Could change be on the horizon? We'll see in 2025 whether Wyoming will legalize online casinos. Recent research and the trend in other states suggest a positive outlook for the Cowboy State.
With lawmakers back in session, we may soon learn if Wyoming is going to relax its stance. In 2023, they were able to file a sports betting bill during a short session in 2023 and get it passed last year.
The current session ends March 6, 2025, which, if history is any indication, should give Davis enough time to get the new online casino bill passed through.
